Rade de Brest — Île Ronde anchorage
Brest Roads · Île Ronde anchorage
48°21.0'N 004°31.1'W
Depth
5–12m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
100m
Holding
Excellent Holding
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
100m
100m on excellent mud. Outstanding shelter. Tidal range 7m — depth at LW critical to check. French Navy zone — maintain clearance.
About This Anchorage
The Rade de Brest is one of the world's great natural anchorages — a vast landlocked sea covering 180km², entered through the narrow Goulet de Brest (1nm wide). The French Navy's Atlantic Fleet is based here — warships and submarines are a constant presence. The Rade offers perfect shelter from Atlantic weather. Brest city (rebuilt after WWII destruction) has excellent facilities. The Crozon Peninsula (S side of the Rade) is one of Brittany's most spectacular hiking destinations.
Protected From
N · NW · NE · E · W
Exposed To
S
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: French Navy exclusion zones — maintain 500m clearance from warships and submarines. Do not anchor in the Goulet de Brest (main channel). Tidal planning essential — 7m range. VHF Ch 16 Brest Traffic.
Hazards
- !Goulet de Brest (entrance channel): strong tidal streams 4–5 kt; time for slack water
- !French Navy vessels — maintain 500m clearance from all warships
- !Tidal range 7m springs — calculate LW depth before anchoring
- !Fog common in summer
Skipper's Tips
- →The Océanopolis aquarium in Brest is one of the finest in France — worth a half-day.
- →The Crozon Peninsula (by dinghy to the S shore) offers dramatic cliff walks with no crowds.
- →The Iroise Sea (W of Goulet) is notorious — enter and exit the Rade with a favourable tide.
Facilities
Brest city: full facilities, large supermarkets, restaurants.
Nearest provisions: Brest (5nm)
Best Months & Season
June, July, August, September
June–September. Goulet timing critical (tidal stream). Excellent all-weather shelter once inside.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 100m
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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