Calanque de la Capelle
cove · Ratonneau · Provence
Calanque de la Capelle is a cove on the island of Ratonneau, in the Provence cruising area.
The nearest town is Marseille.
It lies in Bay of Marseille.
Ratonneau is part of the Frioul archipelago.
Also known as Calanque du Bauç des Bauges.
The bay opens towards the west-north-west (292°).
One of the busiest anchorages of the area, in clear water.
Shelter by wind direction
Good shelter in north-east, east (levante), south-east and south wind.
Partial shelter in north and south-west wind.
No shelter in west and north-west (mistral) wind.
In the most open sector, up to 4.1 NM of open water towards the north-west.
Swell can come in from west-south-west to west (256°–260°).
Swell can come in from west to north-west (276°–308°).
- 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 15 m (EMODnet bathymetry, indicative).
Approach
Direct approach from open water; the routing point lies 0.2 NM from the anchoring spot.
Protected area and seagrass
Calanque de la Capelle lies in the protected area Calanques National Park: check its rules (anchoring, speed, buoys) before you arrive.
Posidonia seagrass is present: drop the anchor on sand only.
Ashore and services
Beach within 300 m.
Road within 400 m: busy in the afternoon.
Almost no buildings ashore (7 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 wind: Port du Vallon des Auffes, 1.3 NM by sea.
- In south-west wind: Calanque du Canton, 0.1 NM by sea.
- In west wind: Port du Vallon des Auffes, 1.3 NM by sea.
- In north-west wind: Port du Vallon des Auffes, 1.3 NM by sea.
Nearby anchorages and ports
- Calanque de la Morgouière cove · 0.1 NM by sea
- Calanque du Canton cove · 0.1 NM by sea
- Calanque de Morgiret cove · 0.1 NM by sea
- Calanque de la Chapelette cove · 0.1 NM by sea
- Port de Banc cove · 0.7 NM by sea
- Calanque de Ribole cove · 1.3 NM by sea
Sheltered anchorages of Provence by wind
More places – Ratonneau
Questions
Is Calanque de la Capelle sheltered from the mistral?
No. It is exposed in north-west wind. The nearest well-sheltered place is Port du Vallon des Auffes, 1.3 NM by sea.
Is Calanque de la Capelle sheltered from the levante?
Yes. Shelter is rated good in east wind.
How deep is the water at Calanque de la Capelle?
Depth near the anchoring spot: about 15 m (EMODnet bathymetry, indicative).
Can you spend the night at Calanque de la Capelle?
It depends on the wind of the night: Seadromy picks the evening anchorage with the forecast of the day.