Located between the port area and the Pointe du Lequin, the Baie de la Courtade is one of the most popular and apreciated areas for tourists on the island of Porquerolles in the Hyรจres Islands archipelago.
Like most of the anchorages on the island, the bay offers good shelter from the easterly winds, but it is advisable to avoid anchorage in case of mistral winds, also considering the fact that the seabed in this part of the island does not offer exceptional seakeeping.
The most sheltered area of the bay, however, remains the northeastern one that extends immediately after Pointe de la Tufiรจre, near Pointe du Lequin of the bay’s second smallest beach and furthest from the center of the island.
You can also give anchor near the main beach, always remembering, however, that it is forbidden for motor boats to approach more than 300 meters from the shore with their engines running.
The plage de la Courtade is one of the largest on the island and, while not very wide, has a length of more than a kilometer.
The beach consists mainly of sand and enjoys the proximity of a pine forest and a eucalyptus forest, which provide pleasant shade for visitors on hot days.
Those who land in this bay can fully admire the natural and wild beauty typical of the island, the splendor of its crystal-clear waters, and the charm of the view of the Hyรจres promontory.
Within the bay, there are no eateries or commercial establishments.
However, the port area and the town center are easily accessible to those on the western side of la Courtade beach: following the Piste de Notre Dame you can reach bars, stores, diving equipment rental centers and the tourist information point with a walk of a few minutes.
Its quiet but not too isolated location, its proximity to the port area and the center of the island, and the possibility of walking to other beaches such as Notre Dame and Alycastre make it a highly acclaimed beach, even among divers, who can find uniquely beautiful seabeds here.
Porquerolles is part of the Parc National de Port Cros, an entity created to preserve the delicate ecosystem of the islands of Hyรจres, Port Cros and รle du Levant, and the entire territory is subject to certain regulations designed to protect this natural heritage.
La Baie de la Courtade can also be a good starting point to embark on the Porquerolles trails and set out to discover the island’s many forts.