Noirmoutier — Baie de L'Épine
L'Épine Bay · S Noirmoutier Channel
46°59.1'N 002°16.9'W
Depth (HW)
1–4m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
75m
Holding
Good Holding
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
75m
75m on sand/mud. Critical tidal note: this anchorage can dry at LW springs — MUST calculate LW depth. Only suitable for shoal-draft boats (under 1.2m) at LW neaps or for boats prepared to take the ground on sand.
About This Anchorage
Baie de L'Épine is a sheltered sandy bay on the southern coast of Noirmoutier, inside the Noirmoutier Channel (Pertuis Breton approaches). The channel between Noirmoutier and the Vendée mainland is one of the most interesting inshore routes in France — shallow, tidal, lined with oyster farms, and requiring careful pilotage. The village of L'Épine has a beautiful church and is a quieter alternative to the main Noirmoutier town. Entry via the Fromentine channel must be timed to the flood — not suitable for approach at LW.
Protected From
N · NW · NE
Exposed To
S · SW · W
Setting Your Anchor
7:1 Scope — Atlantic Tidal Standard
With a 4–5m spring tidal range, the depth at your anchor point can change by up to 5m overnight. Use 7:1 scope minimum — in 4m at HW, lay 28m of chain as a minimum (excluding depth + freeboard). At LW (potentially 1–2m), the scope ratio increases automatically, providing extra catenary. Always verify the anchor is set firmly before reducing engine revs.
Tidal Depth Calculation
Before anchoring, calculate the depth at maximum LW (spring LW) using the SHOM tide tables for the nearest standard port. Subtract the spring tidal range (4–5m) from your HW depth to get the LW depth. For a 1.5m draft vessel, you need at least 1.8m at LW springs (with 0.3m safety margin) — if the anchorage will be shallower, either move to deeper water or ensure you are comfortable taking the ground on sand.
Oyster Stake Avoidance
Always check your proposed anchor position against the SHOM chart for oyster farm boundaries. At HW, oyster stakes may be submerged or barely visible — a dragging anchor on a falling tide can set you into a farm before the alarm sounds. Keep a minimum 200m clearance from all oyster farm boundary buoys.
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free
- Maximum stay
- 5 days
- Permit required
- No
- Anchoring allowed
- Yes
Restrictions: Tidal channel approach: enter ONLY on the flood at half-tide or above. Extensive oyster farms on channel margins — follow marked navigation channel strictly. Anchorage may dry at LW springs.
Hazards
- !Anchorage dries or becomes very shallow at LW springs — unsuitable for keel boats unless deliberately taking the ground on sand
- !Noirmoutier Channel entry: MUST be timed to the flood; dries extensively at LW
- !Extensive oyster farm stakes on channel margins — hull damage if straying from marked channel
- !S/SW wind: anchorage exposed to S through W — leave if SW above F3
Skipper's Tips
- →Time arrival at HW-2 via the Fromentine channel — check SHOM 7394 for the channel buoys and hazards.
- →For boats that can take the ground, the L'Épine bay is peaceful at LW — flat sand, ideal for walking ashore.
- →Fresh oysters direct from producers on the channel shore — worth anchoring just for that.
Facilities
L'Épine village has a small restaurant and oyster stalls.
Nearest provisions: L'Épine / Fromentine (2nm)
Best Months & Season
June, July, August, September
June–September. Only suitable for shoal-draft boats or for boats prepared to take the ground on firm sand. Tidal pilotage knowledge essential.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Sleep peacefully at Noirmoutier — Baie de L'Épine
With a 4–5m tidal range overnight, your boat's position relative to nearby hazards changes as the depth drops. In July–August, neighbouring boats anchor close and the anchorage shifts with the tide. Safety Anchor Alarm continuously monitors your GPS position and sounds an instant alert if you drift outside your set 75m radius — so you can rest without worry.
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