Publication date: 26/04/2024
Exceptional sailing in the Atlantic or along the Charente river
Charente-Maritime is a French department open to the Atlantic Ocean, with over 200 kilometers of coastline! Port cities, seaside resorts, long wild beaches, dunes, forests, marshes, cliffs… The coastline is particularly rich, and attracts a huge number of visitors every year. In particular, many boaters arrive by sea to discover the destination.
Whether you visit by motorboat or sailboat, monohull, catamaran or trimaran, Charente-Maritime is a place where you’ll never be bored. From the commune of Charron to the mouth of the Gironde, the coastline offers a multitude of activities: relaxing on the beach, discovering coastal towns, cultural or heritage visits, walks, bike rides or horse-drawn carriage rides in the heart of nature…
With its rivers and locks, navigation in the Charente-Maritime region also has other facets. Particularly on inland waters, the scenery is totally different! Whether you’re on a barge, a rowing boat, or another suitable unit with a shallow draught, you’re sure to discover a thousand and one new things.
And what better way to spice up your vacation than with gastronomy? Charente-Maritime also boasts an extraordinary culinary heritage! When you’re sailing in the area, don’t miss the fishing and shellfish products for which the region is famous. Sea bream, meagre, sole, grilled sardines and Marennes-Oléron oysters, for example, are a must.
In Charente-Maritime, boat stopovers not to be missed
Would you like to get an idea of what you can discover on a Charente-Maritime cruise? Step away from the quay and take to the open sea, to get an idea of the sailing area…
Ile de Ré
In Ré, the pretty villages are sure to charm you: the light-colored facades with their pastel shutters, the narrow streets lined with hollyhocks, the atmosphere and the local welcome… With its marshes, beaches and salt fields, the island has a unique identity. Borrow a bike and take a day trip to explore it.
La Rochelle
Just a stone’s throw away, on the mainland, La Rochelle is a dynamic destination. Stopping off at the Old Port, you’ll disembark directly in the city center. Discover one of the towers that frame the opening of the port, stroll the shopping streets around the basins or visit a museum! The Natural History Museum, the Maritime Museum or the Aquarium de La Rochelle, for example, will keep you busy for half a day.
The island of Aix
Aix is a remarkable natural site in Charente-Maritime, particularly popular with boaters. You can easily walk or cycle around the small island to discover its bays, coves and beaches. They alone are worth a stopover! And don’t miss the island’s maritime and military heritage.
At the mouth of the Charente, Île Madame
With a surface area of less than one square kilometer, it’s the smallest island in the Charente-Maritime department. You’ll find salt marshes, carrelets… and barely a dozen inhabitants! You can also discover the local flora and fauna by visiting an aquaculture farm. Last but not least, if you’re a keen angler, this is the perfect place to go fishing.
Ile d’Oléron
Don’t forget to stop off at Oléron! Here, you’ll have the opportunity to discover the world of oyster farming in the company of specialists in the trade. In addition to the oyster villages, the island’s beaches, marshes and forests, such as the Chassiron lighthouse, are well worth a visit. Extend your stopover to take full advantage…
Royan
The islands of Charente-Maritime aren’t the only ones worth visiting! At the mouth of the Gironde, the seaside and port city of Royan, for example, also boasts a wealth of attractions likely to amaze you. Beaches, Belle Epoque villas and modern post-war architecture are all part of the destination’s reputation.
River navigation on the Charente
Are you a keen inland sailor? In Charente-Maritime, the Charente River is also navigable for almost 200 kilometers. From the Atlantic Ocean to the river’s mouth, depending on your vessel and the season, you can plan a wide range of cruises. Follow the river’s course and discover new destinations such as Rochefort, Tonnay-Charente, Saintes, Cognac and even Angoulême!
Navigation beyond the Charente-Maritime
In Vendée, Les Sables d’Olonne and Ile d’Yeu
Bordering on the Charente-Maritime department, the Vendée also offers a number of attractive stopover sites. Consider continuing your cruise along the Atlantic coast as far as Les Sables d’Olonne or Ile d’Yeu: both stages promise wonderful discoveries, in urban or more natural areas.
In Gironde, Le Verdon-sur-Mer
To the south, too, there are other areas to explore. On the left bank of the Gironde estuary, opposite Royan, Le Verdon-sur-Mer, for example, can extend your cruise beyond the limits of the département. The marina at Port Médoc, a member of the Port Adhoc network, will welcome you in perfect conditions.
The port of Soubise, your marina Port Adhoc in Charente-Maritime
Among the moorings on the Port Adhoc network, the Soubise marina is undoubtedly the best place to explore the Charente-Maritime region by boat. A full-service marina, Soubise’s location will win you over: directly on the Charente River, just five nautical miles from the Atlantic!
The port infrastructure offers 240 berths for owners of all types of craft: all monohulls and multihulls, whether sailing or motor-powered, are welcome. The only condition is that they must be less than 53 feet long and weigh less than 20 tons. At Soubise, boaters can park their boats in the water – at anchor – or in the dry – on racks or on cradles. Dry storage does not impose any particular constraints on navigation: for launching or retrieving, each boater can choose the day of the week that suits him or her, and the time of day that suits him or her.
At the port of Soubise, boaters will find a wide range of nautical professionals on hand to assist them. Maintenance, servicing, overhaul, repairs… whether mechanical, electrical, electronic or, for example, sailmaking, all operations are possible, directly at the port. Port Adhoc Soubise‘s diversified technical facilities are generally much appreciated by boaters.
Mooring, refit and wintering port all in one, Port Adhoc Soubise is without doubt one of the best options for sailing in Charente-Maritime.
Do you own a motorboat or sailboat, and are you looking for a harbor in Charente-Maritime to use as your future base? Don’t hesitate to contact us with your project!
