Entrance to Etel – photo courtesy of marinas.com
Etel marina – photo courtesy of marinas.com
We visited in late May 2025. We approached on a 92 coeff tide and we were just after HW. The tide was still running into the estuary. We called up the Semaphone on VHF13 expecting to be told gauche, droit or tout droit but no assistance. The person at the Semaphore spoke no english and spoke to fast for us to be able to translate most of the french.
As the marina office had not opened, we were told the semaphore would advise us where to moor, but again, nothing.
The marina now has a pontoon outside of the wall on the river side for visitors. This is now the main mooring. Everyone moors facing South, not sure why, probably the tide.
The first boats on the pontoon are ferries and the lifeboat, so best moor further down. There is also mooring on the outside of the pontoon just past the marina entrance. The facilities are at the middle of the back of the marina, so distance wise, there is probably little difference in how far you have to walk.
The marina office is helpful, but the other side of the marina, and facilities look fine. You can use your passport escale card to get in. Only one shower was open, the others were locked. It is mixed use. They are smart and hopefully there are more open mid summer. A single washing and single drying machine is available. Euro 6 for washing and Euro 3 for dryer.
The visitors moorings are in the tide, but even on a spring tide were OK. However, the passing boats do not keep to the 5 knot speed limit and there is no policing or control. So they go whatever speed they wish. This means it can be quite bumpy with the swell from passing boats. It does quieten down in the evening but starts again at 6am, depending on the tide.
Electric has a button which goes off every 24 hours so you have to press the button again. Wifi code is available from the marina office and you need a code per day as they last 24 hours.
Interesting boat trip up the river is well worth doing. Leaves at 10:30 and 15:30 with more in the summer. Commentary in french only.
The Port of Etel website reports:
Come and stop in one of the most beautiful South Brittany Ria. Formerly frequented by a flotilla of Tuna boats, you will not encounter any difficulty to enter the estuary, the semaphore will guide you in the passes on VHF channel 13 or by telephone (02 97 55 35-59). In August, during the tuna party, you can enjoy grilled and with all the sauces on the good tables near the port ..
The beach is two steps away…
Semaphore schedules from 15/06 to 31/08: 3.5 hours before the High Water and 2.5 hours after the High Water!
> BY THE SEA
Access to the port is easy to access if you take the precaution to contact the semaphore to make sure that crossing the bar will not be a problem.
Contact – ETEL Semaphore: Tel. 02 97 55 35 59, VHF Channel 13.
Distances
– Etel / Lorient => 10 miles
– Etel / Port Tudy (Groix) => 10 miles
– Etel / Quiberon => 13 miles
– Etel / Port Haliguen => 17 miles
– Etel / The Palace (Belle-île) => 19 miles
Contact information
- Director of the Port: Michel Le Bras
Telephone: 02 97 55 46 62
E-mail: etel@compagniedesportsdumorbihan.fr - Website: www.port-etel.com
Information
www.passeportescales.com/fr/port-etel
Weather forecast
marine.meteoconsult.fr/meteo-marine/bull…
Sail Blog
www.sailblogs.com/member/taransaymhor/?x…
Tide Tables
Restaurants – https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g2004191-Etel_Morbihan_Brittany.html