Porquerolles, Port-Cros and Le Levant: where to anchor inside the Port-Cros National Park and what is allowed for your yacht's length.
The Hyères Islands, also called the Golden Isles, lie a few miles off the coast between Toulon and Le Lavandou. Porquerolles has long sandy beaches on its north coast, Port-Cros is a national park with some of the best-preserved seabed in the Mediterranean, and most of Le Levant is a military zone.
This is one of the most protected stretches of the French coast. The Port-Cros National Park sets its own anchoring rules on top of the prefectoral orders, and yachts of 24 m and over cannot anchor close to the islands. Our Provence team, based in La Ciotat and Toulon, can confirm what is possible and book buoys or a berth in Porquerolles for you.
Last reviewed November 2026
A planning guide drawn from pilot sources. Swell, gusts off high ground and local effects can change the picture, so check the forecast and ask us before you commit.
| Anchorage | MistralNW | LibeccioW / SW | Levant & SiroccoE / SE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plage Notre-Dame, Porquerolles | Exposed | Check locally | Good shelter |
| La Courtade, Porquerolles | Check locally | Good shelter | Good shelter |
| Port-Man, Port-Cros | Partial | Check locally | Exposed |
North-east coast of Porquerolles
A long, pine-backed beach often listed among the most beautiful in Europe, with turquoise water over sand.
An 830 m by 150 m strip along the beach is closed to motor craft and to anchoring (AP 116/2023).
Yachts of 24 m and over may not anchor within 600 m of the coast, and yachts over 30 m may not anchor in the national park's marine core (AP 116/2023, under AP 246/2020).
North coast, east of Porquerolles village
The closest beach to Porquerolles village, a convenient day stop with easy tender access to the harbour.
An 850 m by 150 m zone along the beach is closed to motor craft, with a marked access channel from 15 June to 15 September (AP 116/2023).
Same rules as Notre-Dame: no anchoring within 600 m for 24 m and over, and none in the park's marine core over 30 m.
North coast, west of Porquerolles village
A popular beach with a beach restaurant, a short walk from the village.
A 400 m by 100 m zone along the beach is closed to motor craft (AP 116/2023). Between Giens and Porquerolles, vessels over 12 m may not anchor in the cable and pipeline zone (AP 110/2023).
No anchoring within 600 m for yachts of 24 m and over.
North-east of Port-Cros island
A green, wild cove in the heart of the national park, with no buildings and very clear water.
The west and east parts of the bay are closed to anchoring and navigation (AP 117/2023). Black-water tanks are required in the park's clean anchoring zones.
Yachts of 24 m and over may not anchor anywhere in the Port-Cros National Park marine core (AP 117/2023, under AP 247/2020).
Anchorage Intelligence, our map of the French anchoring decrees, shows whether a rule applies to your length overall and links straight to the official text. Access is by waitlist.
Porquerolles (AP 116/2023). Anchoring is prohibited in several zones round the island, and the main beaches have zones closed to motor craft. Access channels are limited to 5 knots, with no stopping or anchoring. From 15 June to 15 September a clean anchoring zone on the north coast is reserved for boats under 24 m with black-water tanks.
Port-Cros (AP 117/2023). Anchoring is prohibited in Port-Cros bay outside the port and buoy field, in parts of Port-Man, west of Pointe de la Palud and in the 300 m strip from Pointe du Miladou to Pointe de la Galère. Speed is limited to 5 knots inside 300 m and 12 knots from 300 to 600 m.
Yachts of 24 m and over may not anchor within 600 m of Porquerolles or anywhere in the Port-Cros marine core (AP 246/2020 and AP 247/2020, amended in 2025). Over 30 m, anchoring is prohibited in the national park’s marine core round Porquerolles too.
Cables. Vessels over 12 m may not anchor in the charted cable zones between Giens and Porquerolles and between Cap Bénat, Port-Cros and Le Levant (AP 110/2023).
Le Levant. Most of the island is a military zone with access restrictions. Ask us before planning a stop.
Yachts of 45 m and over declare to the signal station or request authorisation before anchoring in the Rade d’Hyères (AP 157/2024).
Port-Cros and Bagaud: 68 buoys managed by the national park, including 5 for boats of 15 to 30 m. Season from 15 April to 15 October. Day use is free, nights are paid and booked on the park’s online portal, with a maximum of 5 nights. Anchoring inside the field is never allowed.
Porquerolles: the park has planned a small number of buoys for boats of 24 to 30 m off Notre-Dame, La Courtade and Plage d’Argent. Ask us whether they are in place for your dates.
The Mistral blows hard here, often for several days. The north coast of Porquerolles, including Notre-Dame and La Courtade, is exposed to it, while the south side of the islands gives better shelter but is steep and rocky. In easterlies the north coast beaches are comfortable and Port-Man becomes untenable. Afternoon sea breezes can shift the wind direction quickly in summer.
Not close to the island. Yachts of 24 m and over may not anchor within 600 m of the coast, and yachts over 30 m may not anchor in the national park's marine core. A 35 m yacht anchors further out and sends guests ashore by tender, or takes a berth in Porquerolles harbour.
Night moorings in the Port-Cros and Bagaud buoy field are booked on the national park's online portal, which assigns the buoy. Day use from 8 am to 6 pm is free. Only 5 buoys take boats of 15 to 30 m, so book early or ask us.
Most of Le Levant is a military zone with access restrictions around the coast. Contact us before planning a stop there.
No. Anchoring on Posidonia seagrass is banned throughout French Mediterranean waters, and the park enforces it closely. Drop on sand, or use a buoy.
This guide is for planning only and does not replace official charts or notices. Anchoring rules in French waters change from season to season: check the arrêtés in force on premar-mediterranee.gouv.fr and the SHOM charts before anchoring, or ask our team.
Tell us your yacht, dates and where you would like to anchor. Our local team will confirm what the current rules allow for your length, suggest the best spot for the forecast and arrange buoys, tenders, provisioning or a berth if the anchorage is closed.
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