Location
The port of Les Sables d’Olonne (46 30 N 1 48 W) is based equi-distance between the Loire Estuary (Nantes-St Nazaire) and the port of La Rochelle to the south.


Access
The channel is more than 1,000 metres in length. Throughout the year it is possible to gain access at high tide for vessels with a draft of 5 metres (even with neap tides). At periods of spring tides vessels with a draft of 6-6.50 metres are able to gain access.


Pilots & Boatmen
Pilotage is obligatory for all vessels over 50 metres. The Pilot Station at Les Sables d’Olonne assures the safe entry, exit, swinging and mooring of vessels both by day and by night.


Facilities
Wet Dock : Covering approximately 4 hectares, it is dredged to minus 1.50 metres below chart datum. Breadth of dock entrance (lock) is 17 metres. Maximum vessel length to use this dock is 110 metres with a beam of approximately 16 metres. Ships with a load of 4,000 – 5,000 tons are able to enter and leave the dock, loaded (when the sea conditions are suitable), There are six berths in this dock which are attributed according to the nature of the cargos.
> Click here to see the plan of the wet dock

Warehouses and storage : found at the edge of the wet dock, they are privately owned - certain buildings are made available to port users. A general warehouse will also be made available shortly.

To the north west of the wet dock there is the possibility to stock cargos outside.