jezza
New Member
If you're currently planning a cruise to Brittany - and if you haven't it's about time you did! - please be aware that currently the Visitors' mooring buoys at Camaret are NOT AVAILABLE.
The management of the port has, for some years, been to say the least haphazard with storms badly damaging several pontoons in the inner Port Notic and the outer Port Vauban. Money which should have been made available for repairs and maintenance has been used elsewhere.
The mooring buoys have been very popular in the past few years, but as of this date, we have been told by the harbour staff that they will NOT be relaid yet - 'a work in progress . . .' was how it was described. 'Oh, and along with the repairs too and sorting out the pontoon anchors.'
The area used for the permanent local users' moorings and the visitors' ones was once a good anchorage, but is now encumbered with ground tackle, blocks and other rubbish and must be regarded as foul ground.
There is good holding on generally sandy or shingly ground to the east with some rocky spurs extending seaward, in depths from three or four metres inshore. To seaward, there is good ground in line of the jetty to eastwards towards the buoyed aquaculture viviers.
Please note too that the MAXIMUM overall size for yachts in Port Notic is 40ft/13m and this is being strictly enforced.
Yachts visiting the area for the first time should also sound out our marinas in Brest. Nearest to the Rade is Marina du Chateau, which is great for visits to the Maritime Museum in the castle (5*), harbourside hostelries and Chantier du Guip, the wooden shipbuilders on the quay who always have somenthing nice in restoration - ask if you want to go inside for a closer look, they're very welcoming.
However, although it's five miles further up the harbour, the Marina du Moulin Blanc is much better if you require facilities, engineering repairs, chandlery etc. The legendary Tour du Monde bar/cafe must NOT be missed, and the adjacent Plage du Moulin Blanc has just been given a Blue Flag. Great above half tide, but don't bother if lower. The marinarium Oceanopolis is a tad too kiddy-oriented to my taste, but if you've got rug rats it'll waste a rainy day (rare). Another advantage is a super bus service into the city centre, one every 20 minutes or less for €1.60 for up to an hour of travel, or €4 for a whole day's unlimited travel while for weekends and bank holidays that will cover up to four people - utter bargain.
I'm biased, because I've been here for a good few years and MB has got just better and better, with another bonus being a big hard slip with two long walls for drying off and scrubbing.
Come and see us at the best marina in the Western Channel and Northern Biscay!
The management of the port has, for some years, been to say the least haphazard with storms badly damaging several pontoons in the inner Port Notic and the outer Port Vauban. Money which should have been made available for repairs and maintenance has been used elsewhere.
The mooring buoys have been very popular in the past few years, but as of this date, we have been told by the harbour staff that they will NOT be relaid yet - 'a work in progress . . .' was how it was described. 'Oh, and along with the repairs too and sorting out the pontoon anchors.'
The area used for the permanent local users' moorings and the visitors' ones was once a good anchorage, but is now encumbered with ground tackle, blocks and other rubbish and must be regarded as foul ground.
There is good holding on generally sandy or shingly ground to the east with some rocky spurs extending seaward, in depths from three or four metres inshore. To seaward, there is good ground in line of the jetty to eastwards towards the buoyed aquaculture viviers.
Please note too that the MAXIMUM overall size for yachts in Port Notic is 40ft/13m and this is being strictly enforced.
Yachts visiting the area for the first time should also sound out our marinas in Brest. Nearest to the Rade is Marina du Chateau, which is great for visits to the Maritime Museum in the castle (5*), harbourside hostelries and Chantier du Guip, the wooden shipbuilders on the quay who always have somenthing nice in restoration - ask if you want to go inside for a closer look, they're very welcoming.
However, although it's five miles further up the harbour, the Marina du Moulin Blanc is much better if you require facilities, engineering repairs, chandlery etc. The legendary Tour du Monde bar/cafe must NOT be missed, and the adjacent Plage du Moulin Blanc has just been given a Blue Flag. Great above half tide, but don't bother if lower. The marinarium Oceanopolis is a tad too kiddy-oriented to my taste, but if you've got rug rats it'll waste a rainy day (rare). Another advantage is a super bus service into the city centre, one every 20 minutes or less for €1.60 for up to an hour of travel, or €4 for a whole day's unlimited travel while for weekends and bank holidays that will cover up to four people - utter bargain.
I'm biased, because I've been here for a good few years and MB has got just better and better, with another bonus being a big hard slip with two long walls for drying off and scrubbing.
Come and see us at the best marina in the Western Channel and Northern Biscay!
