Today, The Octopus takes you on a tour of the best anchorages in Porquerolles, considered as one of the most beautiful French islands. This place will transport you to a world of preserved natural beauty and tranquillity.
It is known for its wild environment, exceptional fauna and flora, and paradisiacal beaches with fine sand blending in with the crystalline waters of the Mediterranean. Whether you want to lounge on a sunny beach during a relaxing afternoon or explore the island’s natural and cultural wonders by biking, Porquerolles offers an experience that captivates the hearts of its visitors.
Without further ado, The Octopus presents you three great reasons to visit the island and its best anchorages according to the Navily community!
Three good reasons to visit Porquerolles
1- An authentic place with treasures to be found
Porquerolles has much more to offer than its idyllic beaches. Indeed, the island is home to a cultural heritage that will undoubtedly captivate you. During your visit, it is essential to explore Fort Sainte-Agathe. In addition to admiring its exhibitions, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the landscape typical for this region of France. Moreover, be sure to not miss out the Porquerolles lighthouse, which offers a stunning panorama over the sparkling sea.
2 - Provençal charm
The village of Porquerolles, stands out with traditional brightly colored houses and quaint little shops, immersing you in a Provençal atmosphere.
Stroll along the narrow streets and stop by the small restaurants to try some of the local specialties. Near the village, wine enthusiasts will be delighted by the vineyards of Porquerolles (visit without moderation). Then, discover the lush vineyards where exceptional grape varieties are cultivated and savor delicious wines (with moderation) that capture the essence of the French art of living.
2 - Adventures on a protected island
An experience on this preserved island would not be complete without exploring its magnificent nature.
Rent a bike and let yourself be guided by shaded paths lined with pine and eucalyptus trees, filling the air with uplifting fragrance. On these 54 kilometers of car-free paths, your senses will be awakened by the stunning surroundings. Along the way, you will be led to one of Europe’s most beautiful beaches, Notre-Dame Beach. Its fine sand and crystal-clear water invite you to relax and enjoy unforgettable moments.
Mooring regulations in Porquerolles
To protect the endemic fauna and flora of the Islands, anchoring is prohibited in a few areas like North-Eastern cape and the Western tip of the island.
We strongly advise you to consult the regulations prior to your departure and book your buoys. Finally, check out the numerous reviews from boaters on Navily, that provide relevant and up-to-date information!
Porquerolles, just like its neighbor island Port-Cros, is a protected area where it is important to be mindful of the environment. The island offers you a sanctuary of tranquility, inviting you to disconnect and uplift your spirit. Show your gratitude by taking care of the environment.
The best anchorages in Porquerolles
Port anchorage
This is the main and one of the best anchorages in Porquerolles. As you can imagine, this picturesque stopover is very popular during the high season. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to reserve buoys in advance. You also have the option to stay in the harbour, which offers modern and well-maintained facilities to accommodate boats of all sizes. In both cases, you will be pleased by ideal wind protection.
Once settled, nature embraces you with its green hills bordered by clear water. Overlooking this natural landscape, the Fort of Saint-Agathe completes this unique picture. It is also worth landing ashore and taking advantage of the its many activities.
On the culinary side, the foodies in the Navily community highly recommend visiting L’Orangeraie, a restaurant renowned for its delicious Mediterranean dishes. For sports enthusiasts, bike rentals are available in the village of Porquerolles, near the anchorage.
It is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a bucolic stroll through the captivating landscapes of the island. As you ride, the fragrant maquis and pine forests enchant you with their visual and aromatic magic.
Porquerolles has more adventures in store for you. Let’s go!
Baie du Langoustier
After this superb stopover in the village of Porquerolles, The Octopus takes you to another one of the best anchorages on the island, known and appreciated for its relative tranquillity during the high season.
Indeed, the bay is spacious thus, relatively less crowded than other popular anchorages listed on Navily, even during peak season. This allows you to admire the reigning nature and experience magical moments at anchor.
You will benefit from optimal protection from west to east through the south winds. It is a protected place where winds and calm waters dance in harmony. As for the seabed, the sand ensures good holding. However, be mindful of the extensive meadows of seagrass that cover this protected area to preserve the fragile balance of the marine ecosystem.
Once well positioned, the landscape in front of you is simply breathtaking. The majestic forts of Grand and Petit Langoustier along with the Jeanne-Garde lighthouse, stand proudly in the distance. These historical sites of the past add a captivating mystical aura to this anchorage.
And when the sun sets behind the Petit Langoustier island, the horizon is illuminated with warm golden hues, presenting a play of colors.
La Courtade
Welcome to the wonderful anchorage of La Courtade. Although popular, it offers enough space for many to anchor in vast sandbanks thus, preserving the precious seagrass meadows. Moreover, even with its open to north and west winds, boaters on Navily have had a very pleasant experience on this magnificent location.
On the island, the fine sandy beach stretches along the coast and elegantly blends with the rocky landscape. You will also catch a glimpse of the majestic Fort de la Repentance, a silent guardian of a military past rich in history. Its imposing presence adds a striking dimension to this enchanting setting.
For explorers, just a few kilometers from the anchorage, you’ll find the harbour and vineyards. Oenophiles will enjoy visiting the eponymous vineyard to savor the famous regional wine with the PDO “Côtes de Provence”. And as you walk along shaded paths lined with eucalyptus trees, sheltering you from the radiant sun, the enchanting songs of cicadas resonate harmoniously in the air.
Finally, when you return to your boat at the end of the day, take advantage of the bay’s westward opening to fully admire a dazzling sunset.
Here you are enveloped in a natural symphony, awakening your senses, and transporting you to a world of dreams and poetry.
La baie d'Alycastre or Notre-Dame beach
Final stopover on this sublime island! Here, you are well protected from the east and south winds by the south, and the sandy seabed ensuring good holding for your anchor.
Despite its popularity during the high season, this bay and its preserved setting are a must-visit, and for a good reason. Indeed, the nature here is wild, and the beach offers clear water, abundant with animal and plant species that are typical of the mediterranean region.
Although this anchorage does not have any shops for supplies, the village is only 3 kilometers away. You could thus, embark on an adventure along hiking trails, discovering hidden wonders.
Along the way, panoramic views unveil themselves like oil paintings, revealing among them the delicate beauty of the Alicastre Bay.
For diving lovers, the crystal-clear shallow waters invite you to dive into a stunning aquatic paradise. Admire a canvas full of green and turquoise blue, depicting a beach with crystal-clear waters bordered by pine forests and oak groves.
At the peak of the cliffs of the “Route des Crêtes”, rising above a sea with almost supernatural colors, each turn forms a tangle of islets and coves, reminiscing of those found only on treasure maps. It is a territory of pirates and dreamers, a land shaped by adventurers. In this soothing nature, only the melancholic cries of the Yelkouan shearwater, also named as the “mermaid bird,” haunts the rocks.
In a nutshell, the island offers a complete experience that captivates all the senses and transports you to an incredible world of Mediterranean charm.
Why stop now? The Octopus invites you to discover some of the best anchorages in Port-Cros and the French Riviera to continue the adventure!
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