Anse de la Grande Mer
cove · La Ciotat · Provence
Anse de la Grande Mer is a cove on the coast of Provence.
The nearest town is La Ciotat.
The bay opens towards the south (190°).
Shelter by wind direction
Good shelter in north, north-east and north-west (mistral) wind.
Partial shelter in east (levante) and west wind.
No shelter in south-east, south and south-west wind.
In the most open sector, up to 30 NM of open water towards the south.
Swell can come in from south-south-east to south-west (148°–236°).
- 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
Satellite imagery shows light, sandy patches around the anchoring spot.
Good holding.
Depth near the anchoring spot: about 13.1 m (EMODnet bathymetry, indicative).
Room to anchor: large (about 78.5 ha).
Approach
Direct approach from open water; the routing point lies 0.1 NM from the anchoring spot.
Protected area and seagrass
Anse de la Grande Mer lies in the protected area Parc national des Calanques (aire d'adhésion): check its rules (anchoring, speed, buoys) before you arrive.
Posidonia seagrass is present: drop the anchor on sand only.
Ashore and services
Road within 400 m: busy in the afternoon.
A few houses ashore (33 buildings within 600 m).
A good gateway to visit the island.
A remarkable site can be reached from here.
Within reach:
- Château de Cassis: 15 min by dinghy
- Camargo Foundation: 15 min by dinghy
- Cassis: 67 restaurants, bars or cafés, 17 min by dinghy
Where to go when the wind turns
When the wind makes this place exposed, the nearest places rated as well sheltered are:
- In east wind: Anse de l'Arène, 0.7 NM by sea.
- In south-east wind: Port de Cassis, 1.1 NM by sea.
- In south wind: Port de Cassis, 1.1 NM by sea.
- In south-west wind: Port de Cassis, 1.1 NM by sea.
- In west wind: Port de Cassis, 1.1 NM by sea.
Nearby anchorages and ports
- Anse de l'Arène cove · 0.7 NM by sea
- Port de Cassis marina · 1.1 NM by sea
- Calanque d'En-Vau mooring field · 1.5 NM by sea
- Le Soubeyran cove · 1.6 NM by sea
- Arche de Castelvieil cove · 1.7 NM by sea
- Calanque de Port-Miou mooring field · 1.8 NM by sea
Sheltered anchorages of Provence by wind
More places – La Ciotat
- Port de Cassis marina
- port vieux marina
- Anse du Cannier cove
- Anse du Sec cove
Questions
Is Anse de la Grande Mer sheltered from the mistral?
Yes. Shelter is rated good in north-west wind.
Is Anse de la Grande Mer sheltered from the levante?
Partly. Shelter is rated fair in east wind. The nearest well-sheltered place is Anse de l'Arène, 0.7 NM by sea.
How deep is the water at Anse de la Grande Mer?
Depth near the anchoring spot: about 13.1 m (EMODnet bathymetry, indicative).
What is the seabed at Anse de la Grande Mer?
Satellite imagery shows light, sandy patches around the anchoring spot. Good holding. Room to anchor: large (about 78.5 ha).
Can you spend the night at Anse de la Grande Mer?
It depends on the wind of the night: Seadromy picks the evening anchorage with the forecast of the day.