Publication date: 01/15/2025
Sailing and anchorage off Porquerolles, to visit a beautiful island
On the Côte d’Azur, in the Var department, Porquerolles is considered by many sailors to be one of the most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean.
Off the coast of the Giens peninsula lies Porquerolles, the largest part of the Hyères archipelago, comprising Porquerolles, Port-Cros, the island of Bagaud and Ile du Levant. Located in the heart of the Port-Cros National Park, it is a protected and unique Mediterranean area known for its idyllic landscapes: turquoise waters, fine sandy beaches, impressive cliffs, calanques… but also vineyards, fields, pine forests and very typical vegetation.
Porquerolles, one of the best anchorages in the Mediterranean
Porquerolles has a special place in the hearts of Mediterranean sailors: besides the exceptional landscapes they enjoy while sailing, they also appreciate the many anchorages in Porquerolles – which offer unusual moments, whether by motorboat or sailboat.
Did you know?
Just 65 nautical miles from Porquerolles, our marina in Port Napoléon is ideal for reaching the destination. Located in Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône, it offers boat owners comfortable mooring, storage and wintering facilities, as well as a full range of nautical services.
Port Napoléon stands out from other dry ports in the region, mainly thanks to its impressive dry and covered parking shed, which can accommodate hundreds of motorboats and sailing yachts.
Porquerolles anchorages, one of the busiest in the Mediterranean
In Porquerolles, sailors will find anchorages that are generally well sheltered from winds and currents. Depending on weather conditions, there is almost always an option!
Sailors stop in clean and transparent waters, where they can swim in contact with numerous fish or dive to explore the seabed. From the moorings on Porquerolles, it is generally easy to disembark, often on beautiful white sand beaches. Crews can also easily stock up on supplies ashore. It is all these features that make Porquerolles island anchorages some of the best in the Mediterranean!
Well known among sailors in the Mediterranean, this sailing destination does not go unnoticed. And unfortunately, the island’s moorings also suffer from its formidable reputation.
Because of their beauty, the various anchorages on Porquerolles are very popular, especially in summer: at the height of the tourist season – mainly from early June to late August – the destination is literally flooded. During the day, as many as 1,500 boats can anchor at Porquerolles!
If you have the opportunity, we therefore recommend visiting the island in the low season – autumn, winter or spring. This way, you will avoid the massive influx of visitors and you can enjoy the destination much more comfortably with your boat. Keep in mind that the moorings north of Porquerolles are the busiest.
What activities are there at anchor in Porquerolles?
Boats visiting the island, regardless of where they anchor, have easy access to a number of activities:
- In the village of Porquerolles, you get a taste of the island’s Provençal atmosphere. The narrow streets around the port, traditional houses and typical shops will give you a first impression of the island.
- Afterwards, you can grab a bike and head out to explore: the island of Porquerolles has a number of shaded, well-maintained and very pleasant hiking trails. In total, there are almost 55 kilometres of trails to explore in the heart of nature.
- Visitors looking for tranquillity will enjoy the island’s beautiful sunny beaches, which are popular to varying degrees, and direct access to the Mediterranean Sea.
- On the gastronomic front, Porquerolles has a number of excellent restaurants, where crews can sample a variety of Mediterranean specialities. In the few streets around the marina, you will find a number of excellent establishments.
- For sailors interested in historical and cultural heritage, the island still offers a number of heritage buildings – notably the lighthouse and several forts – some of which are open to visitors.
- Finally, wine lovers can discover the island’s wine heritage from their mooring, visit the estates where the famous grape varieties are grown and take part in tastings.
What is the best anchorage in Porquerolles?
To make sure they get the most out of Porquerolles, sailors often ask us what the best anchorage on the island is.
Is there an anchorage in Porquerolles that should not be missed? The answer is that almost all anchorages on Porquerolles are worth a visit: each simply corresponds to a very special way to discover and visit the destination. It’s up to you to find the anchorage or anchorages on Porquerolles island that suit your aspirations!
The best anchorage in Porquerolles to be close to the village: the port
On the north side of the island, the marina is your first port of call in Porquerolles, where you can be sure of a comfortable mooring.
With an overhang of rocks on one side and a long jetty on the other, it is an enclosed space that provides shelter for your boat and access to sanitation, water and electricity for the crew. From this local port, you have quick access to the village and its shops and all activities on the island – natural, cultural, gastronomic or wine-related. If you stay overnight in the port, the Fort Sainte-Agathe, for example, offers panoramic views of the surrounding area.
To anchor rather than moor at Porquerolles
West of Porquerolles marina and opposite the beautiful Plage d’Argent, Anse du Bon Renaud is perhaps the best anchorage in Porquerolles if you want to enjoy the village without going to the port.
Bear in mind that this alternative to the marina is very busy: in high season, the 500-metre-wide inlet is quickly occupied by sailors. Comfort at anchor can also be affected by the frequent passage of passenger boats.
The best mooring on Porquerolles island to explore the vineyards: La Courtade
East of the village, just past Porquerolles marina, is the mooring La Courtade on the long beach of the same name. Here you can anchor on a sandy seabed. This is a well-known anchorage in Porquerolles, but normally you should have enough space to avoid lying ‘on the neighbour’s boat’. In the bay, with a water depth of about 4 metres, you are protected from southerly and easterly winds.
The landscape around the La Courtade mooring consists of fine sand, the Porquerolles forest and the Fort de la Repentance, a reminder of the island’s military past. The vineyards are just behind the forest: if you are a wine lover, you can discover the secrets of the AOC Côtes de Provence estate right next to the mooring!
From La Courtade beach, you can still easily reach the heart of Porquerolles, even on foot: the village is just a few minutes away. If you have not yet visited the Moulin du bonheur during your stopover at Porquerolles port, now is the time to discover it…
De beste aanlegplaats in Porquerolles om te wandelen: Baai van Alycastre
Baie d’Alycastre is another anchorage north of Porquerolles, east of Baie de La Courtade.
Directly opposite the famous Notre-Dame beach, this is undoubtedly one of Porquerolles’ most beautiful anchorages. In 2015, the kilometre-long beach was voted ‘most beautiful beach in Europe’ by the website European Best Destinations!
The campsite naturally appeals to crews who want to enjoy the beach. Do you prefer hiking? From the Alycastre anchorage, you can reach the Alycastre Fort, a 17th-century monument. You can also take the footpath to Cap des Mèdes – the northeastern tip of the island – in about 20 minutes.
The best anchorage in Porquerolles for swimming: Anse de la Galère
To the east of the island, the Anse de la Galère is another anchorage in Porquerolles. The anchorage’s name comes from the galleys that came here hundreds of years ago to shelter from the westerly winds.
This area is quieter, wilder and less crowded than other anchorages east of Porquerolles and offers stunning views of the island of Port-Cros, some 5 miles away by boat. For snorkellers and divers, it is the ideal place to interact with the many fish in Porquerolles’ waters.
After disembarking at the beach, you can also explore the area on foot.
This is an essential mooring in Porquerolles for those who want to enjoy an unforgettable dive: grab your flippers, masks and snorkels and enjoy the underwater wonders of the natural park!
The best wild anchorage in Porquerolles: La Grand-Cale
Of the anchorages south of Porquerolles, Grand-Cale is one of our favourites. It is the ideal anchorage if you are looking for an authentic anchorage in Porquerolles, where you can enjoy an experience at leisure. There are still fantastic diving discoveries to be made in the calm turquoise waters.
The bay is sheltered from northwest to northeast winds, surrounded by cliffs and has a small beach. Porquerolles lighthouse, another historical monument on the island, completes the landscape.
The best anchorage in Porquerolles for a feast for the eyes: Baie du Langoustier
It remains for us to tell you about the anchorages west of Porquerolles. For our team, the best anchorage on the western tip of the island is Baie du Langoustier. According to many sailors, this is still one of the most beautiful anchorages on Porquerolles if not the entire archipelago of the îles d’Hyères!
Although it is one of Porquerolles ‘ popular anchorages, sailors appreciate it for its quiet surroundings: the bay is less frequented by visitors from inland, as it is quite far from the heart of the island. The natural anchorage is shared by a few motorboats and sailboats, which usually spend the day here.
From the anchorage, crews can enjoy two beaches – Petit and Grand Langoustier, with white and red sand. They can also dive to a depth of 15 metres to explore the wreck of a cement factory. Nearby are two forts bearing the same name: the Grand Langoustier fort in particular is a former military base that is listed. From the anchorage in Langoustier Bay, we have a great view of the island of Petit Langoustier and the Jeaune Garde lighthouse!
Thanks to the many anchoring and mooring options in Porquerolles, every sailor can find the perfect spot to carry out the activity he or she likes. Think about it: with a little time, you can also plan an itinerary to visit Porquerolles’ best anchorages!
Anchoring at Porquerolles in accordance with regulations
Whether you choose to sail and anchor in Porquerolles by motor boat or sailboat , you must follow the rules. In addition to the usual rules to follow when sailing, visiting the protected area of Port-Cros National Park requires you to follow a number of rules of conduct that respect the area and its surroundings. For example, the park’s rules prohibit sailors from entering certain areas within 100 metres of the shoreline or entering prohibited areas marked with red buoys. To anchor, you must be at least 300 metres from the beach.
Anchoring is prohibited in several bays and anchoring on Posidonia meadows is, of course, always prohibited. If the park makes this available, sailors are invited to use buoys, mother and daughter chains.
Please note that in the Port-Cros National Park area, recommendations and restrictions are constantly changing. We advise you to inform yourself well before each outing to make sure you comply with the regulations.
Vergeet ten slotte niet om een veilige ankerplaats in Porquerolles te kiezen, rekening houdend met de weersvoorspellingen en windomstandigheden.
