Hurdles on the descent from Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer to Sète, ultimately la Grande-Motte

Planning the harbor arrival as early as possible had proven itself in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. So we were ready to leave at 6:30. Contrary to the weather forecast, we had slightly stronger winds, we left the harbor with a 12 knot onshore wind. The exit was easy, but just behind the protective mole, the waves were already very unpleasant. So we headed towards Sète. However, my first officer did not like that at all. Heike couldn't stand it on the ship, the waves rocked the ship in all directions. After a short distance, we decided to turn around.

Back in the harbor, we docked at our old spot and then had breakfast. We wanted to register again in the harbor around 9:30. The plan was to explore the surroundings of the Camargue, starting from Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer.

We were able to bring the Di Blasis well ashore at our mole. So we were mobile.

The condition for staying would have been this berth. However, we would have had to give up this place, the harbor master wanted to assign us a place in the berths. The dream of the scooter tour was shattered.

But we had already looked at the nearest ports as an alternative, our favorite would be the port in la Grande-Motte, driving time there is 18 nm, about 2 hours.

Meanwhile, the wind had also calmed down a bit, so we spontaneously decided to start the journey there. Initially, the sea was still a bit rough. We first headed in the direction parallel to the coast, slightly towards the open sea. This way, we cut the waves running towards the coast at an acute angle. When we reached the turning point towards the harbor, we changed course and also cut the waves at an acute angle but in the opposite direction. It worked quite well, and over time we had the feeling that the sea was calming down. Maybe it's just that you get used to it.

Fortunately, we didn't have blue faces and it wasn't as if we were hanging over the railing, throwing up.

When entering the harbor of la Grande-Motte, we still had a 5 knot onshore wind.

In the harbor, there are a few piers right next to the Capitainerie. We moored alongside there and registered. Until Sunday, "it's not possible" with a slight grin, and we were assigned our place.

A berth with poles, berthing roman-catholic, 5 knots from port side. The harbor captain said, "you can first take a look around and later drive into the berth, if you do it right away, you will only have light wind".

A well-meant advice that we naturally accepted. We drove to our berth, turned the ship towards the entrance and drove backwards through the poles. The windward lines were quickly provisionally laid and tightened a little more, so that we could then occupy the leeward side and finally pull Gustav towards the pier. So, it worked quite well, thanks also to the Prestige 42 Fly on our port side, which kept the wind well away.

Now a few days for relaxation await, we have not given up our plan to explore the surroundings. Aigues-Mortes and the Camargue are on the agenda.

The harbor in la Grande-Motte is a very well-kept facility, much better than the harbor in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. And there's a little treat on top, the daily rate is noticeably cheaper here.

We would recommend the facility.