Côte d’Azur Newbie

jcwads

jcwads

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20 Jun 2016
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673
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Antibes
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Hello All

I will finally get out to Antibes next week after over 4 months since I was out there doing my annual service and maintenance.

This is my first season there. It will have its challenges for me, as I am used to marina hopping or grabbing a mooring buoy in the Solent I will now need to master the art of anchoring.

I’ve scouted the Lerins islands and Villefranche. Stunning to say the least but also rammed full all the time! It’s always a bit daunting if I will have to squeeze in and hope I don’t drag or be dragged on!

Any tips on getting a good spot in the busier places or info on quieter anchorages would be most welcome so I can get used to staying overnight on the hook And build up the confidence to join the masses in the popular spots...
 
Welcome to the boating wonderland! We have been boating on the Côte d’Azur now since 2014 and just love it. We are based in Beaulieu-sur-Mer so many stay that way, but have had plenty of trips from San Remo to St Tropez.
Here are some of our tips:

1. The earlier you are in arriving at an anchorage the better spot you will get. Sounds simple and it is. Sit between the Lerins and watch the wacky races arrival between 11 and 12 on a weekend!
2. The Lerins. We tend to anchor on the Northern side of the channel between the islands as you can do longer walks and we often have our dog with us. You are in 3-7 m of water depending how close you want to tuck in. There can be an easterly current of 1-2kts and we go for 20 m of scope in about 5m. Never had a problem dragging. You can anchor all around the islands so you don’t have to head for the channel. We often stay on the northern side of the big island near the fish farm. Do go to La Guerette restaurant on a weekend!

3. Villefranche, again get in early and tuck yourself in.
4. St Jean and Beaulieu- the small bays in the southern tip of St Jean are great spots. Some wash from passing boats, but there isn’t a place on the CdA that doesn’t suffer from wash.
5. Nice and Cannes. Book into both and go and stay a few nights. Having the boat as a base allows you to explore more. Shop in the markets and eat on board.
More to follow.
 
We arrived in 2005 and left for Italy much quieter last August .
You get used to the noise and busyness .Big prob is rowdy folk at W/E s ....they wake you up from a nap .Then content wake .
How ever its good after all 15 years .......
Cap d Antibes @37 sec
Theres a huge sandy area in the middle of the Lerins .....you can dive in and snorkel the anchor in theses waters , unlike the Solent .
Be warned at certain times between the islands there’s a vicious current , if the boats are not lining up with the wind .

Cross the bay of Cannes towards Theuole , it’s sheltered and you can get pretty close in by sandy beaches to anchor .
Good place for a quiet overnighter .
Any where along the Esterel coast ....load of bays towards Agay .
Agay itself has laid buoys and a free water taxi into the town via the VHF .
Mark Cs haunt .
Wind gets up in the afternoon in the CdA , but miraculously dies off at sunset , so for the sake of everyone take care running back to Antibes round the cap 4-6 pm as it’s windy + waked up ....and note the new recent speed limits close in ......pop round to the Capitanerie for a detailed chart .

Just try Salis beach to practice first if it’s calm and the wind is from the W .Its untenable if the wind is from the E .
Its the beach just N of the old town .

Villfranche is rolly ( wake ) + deep get a bit more experience before going imho .

Lerins Vid here for those who don’t know what we are on about .2.26 is Esteril bay anchorage .

Theoule here + la nap for a stop over or anchor off .
 
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Some tips for finding people you can trust.

1. We have really relied on getting tips and advice from the people who berth their boats near us. Luckily most of these are French and locals. We have done our best to be good boat neighbours and this has been repaid in spades. The live aboards near us keep an eye on our boat and let us know the local comings and goings. We have found the French to be wonderfully warm and inviting and they will go out of their way to help you.

2. Expats - good for parties, but they can be a bit of a drag as they either tell you how great life is compared to the UK or tell you constantly how the Uk has been ruined.

3. Brits with boats in the same marina - a mixed bunch and you will figure out who you can trust and who is eyeing up your drinks cabinet.

4. People on this BB. Top chaps and chappettes all round. Always worth asking for help.

Gratuitous video of Beaulieu -
 
Hi jcwads, we are out in Antibes from next Wed for a week. I will send you a PM. We would be happy to meet up and help any way we can
 
Thanks for all your replies so far. Lots of good advice. Looking forward to getting out there and investigating.
 
Welcome to paradise! One thing this place will teach you is that you are not as rich as you thought you were! So a trip to the cheaper end is well worth it. Head west until you hit (not literally) the Porquerolles. The views and beaches on the islands and mainland are worth it
ps. take Mike up on that offer!
 
Bouba said:
One thing this place will teach you is that you are not as rich as you thought you were!
Click to expand...

Owning a boat anywhere teaches you that! How to turn a large fortune into a small one :oops:
 
Bouba said:
Welcome to paradise! One thing this place will teach you is that you are not as rich as you thought you were! So a trip to the cheaper end is well worth it. Head west until you hit (not literally) the Porquerolles. The views and beaches on the islands and mainland are worth it
ps. take Mike up on that offer!
Click to expand...

My boat looks like a 2.5m Tender compared to the boats out there!!!
 
jcwads said:
My boat looks like a 2.5m Tender compared to the boats out there!!!
Click to expand...
Many ports have a millionaires row in Antibes they have a billionaires row. And a couple of the boats are as big as cruise ships and the glare from the brightwork can sear your retinas.
 
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