France: From Saint-Malo to Aber Wrac'h - Area information for northern Brittany

Sometimes savoury, sometimes sweet - northern Brittany is a real treat, and not just in nautical terms: At the end of a long day's cruising, when things calm down in the harbour, culinary delights await ashore. Part 4/4: Here is the most important sailing area information for a trip from Saint-Malo to the western tip of northern Brittany.

Read the trip report here:

• Part 1: from Saint-Malo to Paimpol
• Part 2: from Paimpol to Perros-Guirec
• Part 3: from Trébeurden via Roscoff and Morlaix to Aber Wrac'h.

Area information northern Brittany

The north coast of Brittany is a challenging area with a tidal range of up to twelve metres, strong currents, a rocky coastline and offshore islands. Despite the good maritime infrastructure, careful trip planning is essential, especially for skippers without local knowledge. Many harbours can only be approached at high tide or during certain time slots.

Navigation

Up-to-date area guides and tide calendars are a must for skippers, for example due to the sometimes very strong tidal currents and the sometimes challenging area sailing. These areas of knowledge are given special attention in the RYA Yachtmaster training programme. Free learning videos are available, for example, on reginasailing.com

Wind and weather

In spring and early summer, easterly winds can prevail for weeks on end if there is a stationary high over northern Europe, which is often the case. If you are flexible in terms of time, you can plan your trip so that you sail westwards in early summer and then return eastwards in late summer.

Literature and nautical charts

Tidal navigation:

• "Praxisguide Fahrtensegeln" by Leon Schulz, ISBN: 978-3-667-12224-7, 24.90 euros. delius-klasing.de

Nautical charts:

Available from: hansenautic.de

• NV Charts France "FR3 - St. Malo aux Sept Îles", ISBN: 978-3-910-644380, 64.99 euros.
• NV Charts France "FR4 - Des Sept-Îles à Douarnenez", ISBN: 978-3-910-644397, 64.99 euros.
• Imray Charts "C33B - Channel Islands and North Coast of France", "C34 - Cap d'Erquy to Ile de Batz" and "C35 - Baie de Morlaix to L'Aber-Ildut", 37.90 euros each.

Territory guide:

Available from: nvcharts.com

• "Reed's Nautical Almanac", ISBN: 9781399424943, 66 euros.
• "Channel Islands, Cherbourg Peninsula, North Brittany", Peter Carnegie, ISBN: 978-1-786793737, 62 euros.
• "Secret Anchorages of Brittany", Imray, by Peter Cumberlidge, ISBN: 978-1-846-238-154, 39 euros.
• "Shell Channel Pilot", ISBN: 978-1-786794864, Rachael Sprot, £44.50 (51.50 euros) IMRAY.com
• Travel guide "Bretagne", Wilfried Krusekopf and Eberhard Homann. ISBN: 978-3-83171-945-7, 23.90 euros.