Les Minquiers

[Hairy]

Just trying to post a few photos so thought I would share a couple of pics of a warm, calm day at Les Minquiers reef, approx 48 58.75N 2 04.75W.

My favourite place on earth!

 

[andy59]

Hi Hairy , nice photos . is it safe to hang around there with a shaft drive boat or do you need legs to safely creep around . We would love to go there but worry about grounding .

 

[Me_has_a_Boat]

My favourite place on earth!

I have never been Been past loads of times though!

 

[Hairy]

I don't think you need legs but obviously it depends where you go. The photos are taken inside a sandbank which is about a mile long and creates a lagoon, most of which has more than 4m of depth on a big spring tide (pictures were taken on a 1.3m Low - 11.0m high).

There are often shaft-drive boats moored inside. Once the bank dries out (about 3.5hours after HW) there is no tide and it's safe to swim or row about. I don't usually dry out when I'm there. Even in the picture with the bow on the sand, the stern is in about 4ft of water. I'd just moved the boat closer on the rising tide to load up the barbecue etc over the bows!

The sand does move about, so as long as you keep your eyes open for the shallower bits as the tide drops you should be fine and I've never seen anyone have a problem in this area. The water is always clear as the sand is really coarse and doesn't cloud up the water unless it's rough, in which case you probably wouldn't want to go anyway.

The tide really floods over the bank before it dries out so it's easy to see where it is long before it becomes too shallow to cross.

I'm hoping to head down again this weekend.

 

[andy59]

Thanks for that , we are hopefully going over next week if weather plays ball .

 

[VicS]

Les Écréhous similarly worth a visit.

 

[sarabande]

Hairy - for some reason I really like that pic. I think it's because there is an element of daredevel and the unconventional about it. Tks for posting: a good bit of inspirational boating.

 

[JSYmartini]

Trying to forget about the weather outside and reminiscing about the hazy days of summer...heres a few more from last september:
Anchored near the States mooring bouy at Maitre Ile

Levitating!

Taken on the sandbar that Hairy mentions, my Zodiac which I like to tow down with me and use for getting around and exploring. The Minquiers is a big place...

The 1950's wreck of the Bristol coaster "Brockley Combe"

Anchorage taken from the main Island

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Great pics from Hairy and JSYmartini. Thanks to both for posting

 

[andy59]

Lovely photos JSYmartini , thanks for posting .

 

[Bandit]

I have been past many many times but never been there.

My father was going there with a Jersey pilot the day he died, but never made it.

Perhaps there is a jinx against a Guernsey man going there?

Looks interesting, I did Les Ercouhoues many years ago and the Humps.

 

[JSYmartini]

For future reference in case anyone does a search etc, I'd like to add a warning to this for anyone planning a first trip down.

The official pilotage to the Maitre Ile has you passing West of the island past a sandbar thats further to the west.

A seemingly increasing number of people are finding out the hard way that in recent years the sandbar has moved a fair distance to the east. Not a major problem above half tide but below HT it is.

I've attached a little chartlet that shows the transit in green, Rocher du Sud beacons in line - 165ºT. The drying sandbar shown just west of the transit has now encroached the transit all the way up to the blue flag.

As you can see, this forces a sailor very close to rocks drying at 4m. Also the rock extends a few feet further west than shown, drying at 1m.

The resulting "choke point" is probably only 60-80ft across once the sandbar dries at about 3.5m.

Personally I prefer to use the Petite Gauliot round the east side. Quicker and deeper with fewer obstructions but no marks to follow so more reliant on gps.

Aerial photo to help illustrate my point:

 

[JSYmartini]

Bandit, sorry to hear your Dad didn't make it there, shame. I can see my ashes ending up there one day but hopefully I get a few more visits in the flesh!

If any Minquiers virgin wants more info or to follow me down or even get the guided tour on board Lionheart then I'm happy to help if/when mutually convenient.

If it makes any difference I'm a commercially endorsed adv. PB and licensed Jersey Boatmaster.

 

[longjohnsilver]

Lionheart looks very smart. What make is she? I like the idea of visiting Les Minquiers, is it best on a spring or neaps and is it inhabited? We spent 3 days in the Glenans a few years back which was a beautiful place but somewhat shallow! I love these out of the way places and spending time at anchor. Any more pics you can post?

 

[JSYmartini]

Thanks LJS, she's a Castlemain 35, built by Guernsey Boat Builders in 1978.

There's half a dozen or so granite cottages/huts owned mostly by Jersey yachtsmen. Most of them don't get used much but a some people spend weekends there, a few hardy souls will spend a fortnight getting away from it all.

Neaps are best for a first visit but springs are more popular. These give a mid day low water so you can dry out for the best part of the day in the shelter of all the rock ware. Many people are low water fishing as well so it works out for them too.

Stone huts on the main island

Aerial shot showing the island and the sandbar

Resident seal

Ebb tide runs fairly hard in places

 

[longjohnsilver]

That looks fascinating. Is there just the one island with huts or are there more? When you say people are low water fishing, do you mean actually walking looking for fish or rod and lining? Sounds like I need to get my speargun back in action A few hours snorkelling sounds just the job.

Presumably there is enough sheltered water to anchor and not dry out?

I'm sure I've seen your boat out and about. I'll look out for her next year when we're down your way.

 

[benjenbav]

Hairy, thanks for starting this fascinating thread and for the pix from both you and JSYmartini. You both have very nice boats.

JSYM, I have to say that I like your legs!

The wooden ones, that is.

I was trying to work out whether you can fit them from the boat or basically do you just hop out and fit them standing in the disappearing water.

I hope I get to visit Les Minquiers...

 

[Bathdave]

JSYmartini

As aforementioned minquiers virgin, would love to take you up on your offer of leading us in next year ( if this damn wind ever stops...)

We became boat owners in July and are carefully getting familiar with Jersey waters, managed the ecrehous once last september, have to say that was a bit nerve-wracking! My colleagues who have bots say that minquiers are much tricker than ecrehous.

 

[JSYmartini]

That looks fascinating. Is there just the one island with huts or are there more? When you say people are low water fishing, do you mean actually walking looking for fish or rod and lining? Sounds like I need to get my speargun back in action A few hours snorkelling sounds just the job.

Presumably there is enough sheltered water to anchor and not dry out?

I'm sure I've seen your boat out and about. I'll look out for her next year when we're down your way.

Mostly just wandering around the low water rocks looking for crabs, lobster and ormers. You're not actually allowed to fish for ormers whilst wearing any scuba gear inc. mask and snorkel in Jersey waters BTW.
In the main anchorage my boat is pictured at about 1.3m above CD but you can get an extra few ft of water a few yards south. As well as the sandbar when Hairy's pictured, there's the deep water anchorage just inside the Coq beacon, a bit of a trek to the east. There's plenty of options depending on the tide what you want to do, weather conditions etc.

Hairy, thanks for starting this fascinating thread and for the pix from both you and JSYmartini. You both have very nice boats.

JSYM, I have to say that I like your legs! The wooden ones, that is.
I was trying to work out whether you can fit them from the boat or basically do you just hop out and fit them standing in the disappearing water.

I hope I get to visit Les Minquiers...

Thanks, they look nice but are a PITA! I'm on a drying mooring so every trip I have to haul them down from the wheelhouse roof (weigh a ton ) and hang them over the side. Then I have to lie down on the side deck, hang myself over the side of the boat, then do up the bolt with a ratchet! Not very practical and actually quite dangerous so I'm having new legs made at the moment which will semi-permanently be attached to the hull and swing up out of the water when not in use. Shame it might spoil the lines of the boat but needs must. Should also mean I get left alone by the serial rafters in the marina

JSYmartini

As aforementioned minquiers virgin, would love to take you up on your offer of leading us in next year ( if this damn wind ever stops...)

We became boat owners in July and are carefully getting familiar with Jersey waters, managed the ecrehous once last september, have to say that was a bit nerve-wracking! My colleagues who have bots say that minquiers are much tricker than ecrehous.

Congrats on the new purchase, true the Ecrehous entry is a lot more straightforward, the Minquiers sorts the men from the boys! One reason why I've counted over 80 boats at the Ecrehous on an august sunday afternoon, the Minks is thankfully a lot more peaceful!
I cant wait to get back down next year (in 6 hours ) and do a bit more surveying, more than happy for you to tag along.
What sort of boat have you bought?

 

[Bathdave]

Thanks for the offer - look forwrd to taking you up on it..hen we went to the ecrohous it was pretty crowded!

We have a Maxum 24 Cruiser with a 5L mercruiser..slightly less 'regal' than Lionheart, but works well enough for us to learn the ropes. We are loving it.