Port de Banc
cove · Ratonneau · Provence
Port de Banc 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 Fond de Banc, Calanque du Dracadou and Calanque du Corbeau.
The bay opens towards the north-west (317°).
Shelter by wind direction
Good shelter in north-east, east (levante), south-east and south wind.
Partial shelter in south-west wind.
No shelter in north, west and north-west (mistral) wind.
In the most open sector, up to 4.1 NM of open water towards the north.
Swell can come in from west to north-west (272°–304°).
- 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 14.5 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
Port de Banc 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.
A few houses ashore (11 buildings 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, 0.8 NM by sea.
- In south-west wind: Calanque du Canton, 0.7 NM by sea.
- In west wind: Port du Vallon des Auffes, 0.8 NM by sea.
- In north-west wind: Port du Vallon des Auffes, 0.8 NM by sea.
Nearby anchorages and ports
- Calanque de Ribole cove · 0.7 NM by sea
- Calanque de la Capelle cove · 0.7 NM by sea
- Calanque de la Morgouière cove · 0.7 NM by sea
- Calanque du Canton cove · 0.7 NM by sea
- Calanque de la Chapelette cove · 0.7 NM by sea
- Calanque de Morgiret cove · 0.7 NM by sea
Sheltered anchorages of Provence by wind
More places – Ratonneau
Questions
Is Port de Banc sheltered from the mistral?
No. It is exposed in north-west wind. The nearest well-sheltered place is Port du Vallon des Auffes, 0.8 NM by sea.
Is Port de Banc sheltered from the levante?
Yes. Shelter is rated good in east wind.
How deep is the water at Port de Banc?
Depth near the anchoring spot: about 14.5 m (EMODnet bathymetry, indicative).
Can you spend the night at Port de Banc?
It depends on the wind of the night: Seadromy picks the evening anchorage with the forecast of the day.