All-tide harbours on a coast where the tidal range is up to 11m are rare. Add to that a good modern marina and an attractive resort town and St Quay is an appealing destination.

Approaching from the north-west is relatively straightforward. Keep inside the Roches de Saint-Quay which guard the town just offshore and, taking heed of the dangers close inshore, pass the outer breakwater to gain the south facing entrance to the marina.

Coming from the east or south, keep La Caffa east cardinal mark to starboard and round La Roselière south cardinal before steering 317º for the entrance to St Quay. Do not confuse the La Longue south cardinal mark (a large round concrete tower) with La Roselière (a conventional south cardinal buoy).

Inside the marina you will be met by someone to direct you to a visitor’s berth. There is fuel 24 hours a day by bankers card from the fuel berth at the back of the marina. Jetons are required for the showers.

Beyond the marina there is a pretty drying harbour just inshore with a convenient boulangerie, Le Fournil du Port, and an attractive if unspectacular town. Ten minutes walk to the north-west across the peninsula is the simple but admirable Saint-Quay restaurant (72 Bd Foch, T +33 (0)2 96 70 40 99). After the meal walk it off by taking the lovely coastal path back to the marina.

Other interesting destinations in the Baie de Saint Brieuc, where you can stay afloat, include the village of Dahouet and St Quay’s neighbouring resort town, Binic. Both have approaches which dry — for details see elsewhere.

© 2008 Yachtpilot