Golfe du Morbihan (Île de Berder)
Gulf of Morbihan · Morbihan inner islands
47°35.0'N 002°49.4'W
Depth
2–5m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
70m
Holding
Excellent Holding
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
70m
70m on excellent mud. Outstanding shelter — enclosed inland sea. TIDAL WARNING: 6–8m spring range; some areas dry at LW. Tidal streams 8 kt in channels.
About This Anchorage
The Golfe du Morbihan ('Little Sea' in Breton) is one of the most extraordinary sailing destinations in France — a near-landlocked inland sea covering 120km², containing over 40 islands and islets, countless oyster beds, and some of the most dramatic prehistoric monuments in Europe (Carnac megaliths, 4,000 years old). The enclosed gulf gives perfect shelter from Atlantic weather, and the tidal streams that make the entrance challenging create spectacular currents between the inner islands. An entirely different sailing experience from any other anchorage in this guide.
Protected From
N · NW · NE · E · W · S
Exposed To
None (fully sheltered)
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Tidal streams in the Passage de la Jument (gulf entrance) reach 8–9 knots — time entry for slack water or favourable stream. Oyster bed exclusion zones (marked). Speed limit in the gulf. Some islands are private.
Hazards
- !TIDAL STREAMS: 8–9 kt at the Passage de la Jument — entrance only at slack water or favourable tide
- !DRYING AREAS: Many anchorage spots dry at LW spring tides — check tide table before anchoring
- !40+ islands make navigation complex — use a pilot book and up-to-date SHOM chart
Skipper's Tips
- →Buy a specialist guide (Reeds or RCC Biscay Pilot) for the Gulf of Morbihan — essential navigation aid.
- →Carnac megaliths (accessible by dinghy from some anchorages) are among Europe's greatest prehistoric sites.
- →Auray, at the N end of the gulf, is one of the most beautiful medieval Breton towns — worth a full day ashore.
Facilities
Nearest provisions: Vannes (8nm)
Best Months & Season
June, July, August, September
June–September. Tidal planning essential — tide tables before every movement. Fog common June–August.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 70m
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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