Île d'Yeu — Port de la Meule
La Meule · Yeu south anchorage
46°41.6'N 002°20.8'W
Depth (HW)
2–6m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
70m
Holding
Fair Holding
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
70m
70m — verify anchor is set in sand not rock before sleeping. Fair holding in rocky cove. Tidal range 4–5m: calculate overnight depth. Leave at first sign of S/SW wind.
About This Anchorage
Port de la Meule is one of the most dramatic anchorages in the Vendée — a narrow rocky cove on the wild S coast of Île d'Yeu, surrounded by spectacular granite cliffs and Atlantic swell-polished rock formations. Île d'Yeu is a small island (9 x 4km) 15nm off the Vendée coast, one of the most beautiful of France's Atlantic islands, car-free in summer. La Meule is a tiny fishing hamlet with a small jetty — only suitable for shallow-draft vessels to come alongside. The anchorage is exposed to any south component and should only be used in settled northerly conditions.
Protected From
N · NE · NW
Exposed To
S · SE · SW
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: Settled N wind conditions only — abandon at first sign of S/SW. Rocky bottom: verify anchor set in sand. Do not approach in any southerly swell.
Hazards
- !Open to S/SE/SW: dangerous in any southerly wind or swell — leave immediately if S component builds
- !Rocky bottom with sand patches — anchor may drag on rock; verify holding before sleeping
- !Tidal range 4–5m: calculate overnight depth; rocky margins become exposed at LW
- !Narrow cove: limited swinging room — only 2–3 boats can anchor comfortably
Skipper's Tips
- →Check METEO-France for the full 48h forecast before anchoring here overnight — S swell can arrive with little warning from distant Atlantic depressions.
- →Bring a dinghy — the hamlet of La Meule has a small landing and the rocky coast walk to the S is spectacular.
- →The Vieux Château (ruined 10th-century castle) is 3nm W on the S coast — worth the sail.
Facilities
One small seasonal crêperie/restaurant at La Meule hamlet, Jun–Sep.
Nearest provisions: Port-Joinville (5nm)
Best Months & Season
June, September
June and September only — avoid July–August swells and crowds. Strictly fair-weather anchorage; N or NE conditions only.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Sleep peacefully at Île d'Yeu — Port de la Meule
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 70m radius — so you can rest without worry.
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