Pampelonne Bay Anchoring Rules 2026: What Charter Guests Need to Know

The Pampelonne Bay anchoring rules for 2026 have changed significantly, and ignoring them can result in on-the-spot fines from Ramatuelle's municipal police. French maritime authorities signed Arrêté Préfectoral n°177/2026 on 3 June, and it took legal effect on 24 June 2026. The order redraws zone boundaries, reclassifies the former large-vessel western anchorage, and consolidates the rules for every yacht from a 15-metre day-charter boat to a 100-metre superyacht. If you are planning a charter in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez this summer, here is exactly what applies to your vessel.

What Changed in June 2026

According to SuperyachtNews, the most consequential change is the reclassification of the former 45–80 metre western anchoring area. That zone has been redesignated for vessels measuring 24 to 45 metres and folded into the Zone de Mouillages et d'Équipements Légers (ZMEL) — the managed mooring field administered by the municipality of Ramatuelle. As YachtCharterFleet reports, this means the area now falls under municipal police authority rather than the looser offshore regime it previously operated under.

A separate boundary clarification between Cap Pinet and the Pointe de la Bonne Terrasse now keeps vessels of 80 metres and above in a dedicated zone, distinct from the 45–80 metre anchorage. SuperyachtNews notes that nautical charts had not yet been updated to reflect these changes as of late June 2026, so captains and charter brokers should verify the current boundaries directly with a compliance service rather than relying on a chart overlay alone.

The ZMEL: Pampelonne's Managed Mooring Field

The ZMEL covers the main bay from the Pointe de Bonne Terrasse to Cap du Pinet and is the framework within which most charter yachts will operate. It contains three distinct types of space:

• Posidonia meadow zones — anchoring is strictly forbidden for every vessel of every size, with no exceptions, from 1 April to 31 October. This reflects the protected status of the seagrass, one of the Mediterranean's most ecologically important habitats.
• 184 paid mooring buoys across five sectors (A, B, C, D and E) — reservation is required in advance through the official Pampelonne Mooring platform. On arrival, call VHF Channel 77.
• A free sandy-bottom anchoring area on the western side of the ZMEL, reserved exclusively for vessels between 24 and 45 metres. According to the Echonautique mooring guide, this is the only location inside the ZMEL where a vessel may drop its own anchor rather than pick up a buoy.

Rules by Vessel Size

Under 24 metres

Vessels under 24 metres must use one of the paid mooring buoys within the ZMEL sectors. They are not permitted to anchor within the buoyed mooring areas, and anchoring on Posidonia is prohibited outright. Book a buoy in advance — the bay fills quickly in July and August.

24 to 45 metres

This size category has the most options, but also the most recent rule changes. These yachts may use a paid ZMEL buoy or anchor in the designated free sandy-bottom area on the western side of the ZMEL. The Echonautique mooring guide is clear: anchor only on sand, never on Posidonia. The former offshore zone previously used by this size range has now been absorbed into the ZMEL, so the free-anchoring option is managed rather than open.

45 to 80 metres

Vessels in this range must use the mandatory offshore anchoring zones outside the ZMEL perimeter. These zones are free of charge but require a formal declaration or authorisation depending on the vessel's size. According to the Echonautique guide, captains must declare to the Camarat coastguard station at least one hour before arrival by calling +33 4 94 79 80 28. If no refusal is received, mooring is deemed authorised. The former zone previously shared with 24–45 metre vessels is no longer available to this category.

80 metres and above

The largest superyachts must anchor in the dedicated offshore zone for vessels 80 metres and above, which the June 2026 order has formally separated from the 45–80 metre zone. As with the 45–80 metre category, a declaration to Camarat coastguard is mandatory at least one hour before arrival.

Paid Mooring Buoy Pricing (2026)

For yachts using the 184 paid buoys within the ZMEL, pricing is set by vessel length. The Echonautique mooring guide publishes the following indicative weekly, weekend and midweek rates for the main length brackets:

• Up to 16 metres: €5,602 weekly / €1,400 weekend / €1,867 midweek
• 16.01–17 metres: €5,953 weekly / €1,488 weekend / €1,984 midweek
• 17.01–18 metres: €6,304 weekly / €1,575 weekend / €2,101 midweek
• 18.01–19 metres: €6,653 weekly / €1,663 weekend / €2,217 midweek
• 19.01–20 metres: €7,003 weekly / €1,751 weekend / €2,335 midweek

Rates continue to scale upward for larger vessels. Reservations are made through the Pampelonne Mooring booking platform. Arriving without a reservation in peak season risks finding no buoy available.

Environmental Protections: What Has Not Changed

Despite the boundary revisions, the environmental core of the regulations is unchanged. YachtCharterFleet confirms that anchoring on Posidonia seagrass meadows remains prohibited regardless of yacht size. The Prefecture Maritime de la Méditerranée has consistently framed these rules as balancing economic activity on the coast with the preservation of sensitive marine habitats — and the Posidonia prohibition is non-negotiable. Ramatuelle municipal police patrol the bay actively and issue fines to any vessel found anchored on the meadows.

Practical Steps Before You Arrive

• Confirm boundaries with a compliance service. SuperyachtNews specifically recommends checking with a service such as FLYN Yachting, as official nautical charts may not yet reflect the June 2026 changes.
• Book your buoy early. The 184 buoys across sectors A–E fill quickly from late June through August. Reserve via the Pampelonne Mooring platform before departure.
• Call Camarat coastguard if you are 45 metres or above. The number is +33 4 94 79 80 28. Call at least one hour before arrival and wait for confirmation or silence (silence equals authorisation).
• Monitor VHF Channel 77 on approach to the bay for mooring-field communications.
• Brief your captain on the reclassified western zone. The area that was previously the 45–80 metre offshore anchorage is now the 24–45 metre ZMEL zone — a common source of confusion this season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I anchor for free anywhere in Pampelonne Bay?

Yes, but only in very specific circumstances. Vessels between 24 and 45 metres may anchor for free in the designated sandy-bottom area on the western side of the ZMEL. Vessels of 45 metres and above may anchor for free in the mandatory offshore zones, subject to a coastguard declaration. All other vessels must use a paid buoy. Anchoring on Posidonia is free of charge only in the sense that it is simply illegal — fines apply.

Do the rules apply all year round?

The Posidonia anchoring ban runs from 1 April to 31 October. The broader ZMEL buoy regime and offshore zone requirements are in force during the same period, which covers the entire Mediterranean charter season.

What happens if I anchor in the wrong zone?

Ramatuelle's municipal police patrol the bay and fine offenders. The Port of Saint-Tropez anchoring rules documentation confirms that penalties apply for non-compliance with designated areas. There are no exceptions for charter vessels or first-time visitors.

My chart still shows the old boundaries — is it safe to rely on it?

No. SuperyachtNews reported that as of late June 2026, official nautical charts had not yet been updated to reflect Arrêté Préfectoral n°177/2026. Always cross-reference with the official order or a current compliance service before anchoring.