Explore: Gironde Estuary & Bordeaux
General Info
The entrance to the wide, busy and commercial Gironde estuary lies about 40nm south of La Rochelle. After about 30 miles it splits into two. One arm is the Garonne and the other the Dordogne river. The Garonne river leads to the city of Bordeaux.
Note: Currently the port area at Bordeaux is being re-developed and there are no berths available for visiting yachts. See the Port of Bordeaux website. April 2017
Position 45° 36′ N, 01° 14′ W (Gironde Estuary entrance)
Position 44° 51′ 37″N, 0° 32′ 55″W (Bacalan lock, Bordeaux)
Clearance
If traveling up the Garrone River to Bordeaux, once the suspension bridge in view, contact the Harbourmaster either on VHF 12, if possible, or telephone 0556 315864 or 0556 905934.
Last updated April 2017.
Docking
The river is best approached just after low water as there can be strong currents at the entrance. Beware of entering in strong on-shore winds with an ebb tide.
At the entrance to the Gironde estuary, are the ports of Royan & Port Medoc One is on the north bank and the other on the south.
Further up the river is the marina at Pauillac.
Just by the Aquitaine Bridge, there is the small floating pontoon, Halte Nautique de Lormont. This is also a stop for the river taxi.
If traveling on up to Bordeaux, there is now a new bridge (named the Chaban-Delmas bridge), over the river. It is a very high vertical lift bridge and its towers are unmistakable. It is here that the entrance to the Bacalan Basin is located on the northern bank of the river.
If proceeding further up the river, note the following; On reaching the low stone bridge (was 2nd from the ocean) avoid using arches 9/10/11 counting from the west. Arch 1 is on the land with a road running under and is on the right-hand side traveling up the river. Big barges use these three arches and have to move to low water because of headroom. There are guard rails to protect the arches and at halftime, they are underwater which is dangerous. Avoid arches 2 and 16 as they are too close to the shore.
Note that Halte Nautique de Bordeaux at Le Point du Jour does not accept visitors and has not done so for many years.
Last updated April 2017.
