Grand-Câle
cove · Porquerolles · French Riviera
Grand-Câle is a cove on the island of Porquerolles, in the French Riviera cruising area.
Porquerolles is part of the Îles d'Hyères.
Also known as Calanque de l'Oustaou de Diéu.
The bay opens towards the south-south-east (151°).
Shelter by wind direction
Good shelter in north and north-west (mistral) wind.
Partial shelter in north-east and west wind.
No shelter in east (levante), south-east, south and south-west wind.
In the most open sector, up to 30 NM of open water towards the south-east.
Swell can come in from east to south-west (84°–220°).
- sheltered
- partly
- exposed
Shelter is estimated from open water and swell, not from wind strength: a strong wind can still gust over the land.
Here, shelter depends on tonight's wind. Seadromy reads the forecast and tells you before you leave.
Seabed, depth and room
Depth near the anchoring spot: about 11.8 m (EMODnet bathymetry, indicative).
Approach
Direct approach from open water; the routing point lies 0.1 NM from the anchoring spot.
Protected area and seagrass
Grand-Câle lies in the protected area Port-Cros National Park: check its rules (anchoring, speed, buoys) before you arrive.
Posidonia seagrass is present: drop the anchor on sand only.
Seagrass shown on the general chart: drop the anchor on sand.
Ashore and services
Road within 400 m: busy in the afternoon.
Almost no buildings ashore (0 within 600 m).
Nothing ashore: a wild anchorage.
Where to go when the wind turns
When the wind makes this place exposed, the nearest places rated as well sheltered are:
- In north-east wind: Gorge du Loup, 1.7 NM by sea.
- In east wind: Gorge du Loup, 1.7 NM by sea.
- In south-east wind: Gorge du Loup, 1.7 NM by sea.
- In south wind: Plage du Grand Langoustier, 4.7 NM by sea.
- In south-west wind: Criques Saint-Jean-Baptiste, 4.9 NM by sea.
- In west wind: Calanque de la Galère, 2.9 NM by sea.
Nearby anchorages and ports
- Calanque des Salins cove · 0.9 NM by sea
- Gorge du Loup cove · 1.7 NM by sea
- Calanque de la Galère cove · 2.9 NM by sea
- Port Fay anchorage · 2.9 NM by sea
- Plage du Grand Langoustier cove · 4.7 NM by sea
- Criques Saint-Jean-Baptiste cove · 4.9 NM by sea
Sheltered anchorages of French Riviera by wind
More places – Porquerolles
Questions
Is Grand-Câle sheltered from the mistral?
Yes. Shelter is rated good in north-west wind.
Is Grand-Câle sheltered from the levante?
No. It is exposed in east wind. The nearest well-sheltered place is Gorge du Loup, 1.7 NM by sea.
How deep is the water at Grand-Câle?
Depth near the anchoring spot: about 11.8 m (EMODnet bathymetry, indicative).
Can you spend the night at Grand-Câle?
It depends on the wind of the night: Seadromy picks the evening anchorage with the forecast of the day.