Île de Ré — Anse de la Couarde
La Couarde-sur-Mer · NW Ré anchorage
46°12.5'N 001°25.4'W
Depth (HW)
2–6m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
90m
Holding
Excellent Holding
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
90m
90m on excellent sand. Tidal range 4–5m — allow for overnight depth change in scope calculation. Use 7:1 scope. Exposed to SW/W: monitor Atlantic swell height on NAVTEX.
About This Anchorage
Anse de la Couarde is the most popular anchorage on the NW coast of Île de Ré — a sweeping sandy bay with excellent holding, a beautiful beach, and easy bicycle access to the island's famous salt marshes and wine village of Ars-en-Ré. Île de Ré (the 'White Island') is one of France's most beloved summer destinations: whitewashed houses, hollyhocks, cyclists, and a laid-back elegance that the neighbouring island of Oléron lacks. Ré is connected to La Rochelle by a bridge, making provisioning easy. In July–August, the bay holds 50–80 boats. June and September are superb.
Protected From
N · NE · E
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: Île de Ré Parc Naturel Marin: respect marine protected area rules — no disturbing seabird nesting areas near the Pointe des Baleines. Speed limit 5kt within 300m of shore.
Hazards
- !Exposed to SW/W Atlantic swell — leave if W swell height exceeds 1m or SW wind builds above F3
- !Tidal range 4–5m: shoals significantly at LW — calculate LW depth; keel boats may touch at LW springs
- !Very crowded Jul–Aug: 50–80 boats; arrive by 11:00 for a spot on the outer edge; inner bay fills first
Skipper's Tips
- →Rent bicycles from La Couarde village and cycle the island — the salt marsh circuit and Ars-en-Ré are unmissable.
- →The Phare des Baleines (lighthouse, 1854) is 2nm N — sail past at dusk for a spectacular view.
- →September is the ideal month: crowds thin, Atlantic still warm, beaches quiet, oysters in season.
Facilities
Beach restaurants at La Couarde village, open Jun–Sep. Bicycle access to Ars-en-Ré (2km).
Nearest provisions: La Couarde-sur-Mer (0.5nm)
Best Months & Season
June, July, August, September
June–September. Extremely crowded July–August. Check Atlantic swell forecast on NAVTEX — W swells above 1m make this anchorage uncomfortable overnight.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Sleep peacefully at Île de Ré — Anse de la Couarde
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 90m radius — so you can rest without worry.
Download Free for iOS