Baie de Socoa / Fort de Socoa
Socoa · Ciboure anchorage
43°23.0'N 001°40.8'W
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
80m
Holding
Good Holding
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
80m
80m on sandy patches. Good holding. Slightly more open to SW than main bay. Good Basque coast anchorage.
About This Anchorage
Socoa on the W side of the Saint-Jean-de-Luz bay offers a slightly quieter anchorage in the shadow of the Fort de Socoa (17th-century Vauban fortress on the headland). The W end of the bay is marginally less busy than the main town anchorage and offers a pleasant rural Basque setting. The fort is open to visitors and has excellent views over the bay, the Pyrenees, and the Spanish Basque coast. The fishing village of Ciboure is immediately behind — home to Maurice Ravel (Ravel was born in Ciboure in 1875).
Protected From
N · NW · NE · E
Exposed To
S · SW · W
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Speed limit 5kt. DONIA recommended. Rock bottom in places — check anchor set.
Hazards
- !Rock bottom in places — snorkel to verify sandy patch if uncertain
- !More exposed to SW than main bay
Skipper's Tips
- →Fort de Socoa: one of Vauban's finest — the panoramic view from the fort terrace is exceptional.
- →Ciboure village: Ravel's birthplace (marked with a plaque) — one of France's greatest composers.
Facilities
Restaurant at Fort de Socoa (seasonal). Ciboure village restaurants 5 min walk.
Nearest provisions: Ciboure / Saint-Jean-de-Luz (1nm)
Best Months & Season
May, June, July, August, September, October
May–October. Alternative to main St-Jean-de-Luz anchorage in peak season.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 80m
Atlantic swell can build quickly on the Basque Coast. Safety Anchor Alarm watches your GPS position all night — alerting you the moment your anchor starts to drag.
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