Belle-Île — Anse de Goulphar
Goulphar · Belle-Île anchorage
47°18.1'N 003°12.9'W
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
80m
Holding
Good Holding
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
80m
80m on sand/rock. Good N shelter. Open to S/SW — summer-only overnight. Tidal stream 1–2 kt in approach.
About This Anchorage
Belle-Île-en-Mer (Beautiful Island of the Sea) is the largest of the Breton islands and one of the most spectacular — granite cliffs on the W (Côte Sauvage), sandy beaches on the E, and the famous Aiguilles de Port-Coton stacks that Monet painted repeatedly. Anse de Goulphar is the sheltered bay below the Grand Phare (lighthouse). Sarah Bernhardt had her summer residence on Belle-Île. Le Palais is the main port with full facilities.
Protected From
N · NW · NE
Exposed To
S · SW · SE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Summer only — SW exposed. Tidal planning required. Ferry exclusion zones near Le Palais port.
Hazards
- !Open to S/SW — Atlantic swell enters; leave before any southerly develops
- !Côte Sauvage (W coast): numerous rocks and strong tidal streams — pilot book essential
- !Fog common in summer
Skipper's Tips
- →Circumnavigate Belle-Île by dinghy (motor) or bicycle ashore — the Côte Sauvage is extraordinary.
- →Monet painted the Aiguilles de Port-Coton 11 times — visible from the anchorage by binoculars.
- →Le Palais port (4nm E): good provisioning, fuel, and excellent crêperies.
Facilities
One restaurant near the Grand Phare; Le Palais has full facilities (4nm by water).
Nearest provisions: Le Palais (Belle-Île) (4nm)
Best Months & Season
June, July, August, September
June–September. Tidal planning essential. Fog monitoring required.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 80m
In Brittany's tidal waters, anchor drag can happen faster than anywhere in France. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your position continuously — so the tide change doesn't become a crisis.
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