With Bastian Raulier and Zac Harie.
Fancy a sailboat cruise on the river? Tired of high marina fees? Want to get away without (too) many neighbors? Here are fifteen anchorages, illustrated in a summary map at the end of the text, to help you plan your stops and nights on the St. Lawrence River.
The three authors, Bastian Raulier, Zac Harie (Voilier Vela 1) and Pier du Sud, report the goodies, the not-so-goodies and the anchorages worth thinking about.
We have a wide interpretation of the « St. Lawrence River ». We include the estuary and the Saguenay Fjord. Of course, the anchorages presented below do not reflect all accessible anchorages, but they are presented here free of charge, are tried and tested, and are certainly a starting point for those wishing to discover and plan a cruise.
By « anchorages », we mean places where you can drop anchor and spend the night. It’s worth remembering the usual rules for anchoring, namely that in normal weather, a 5:1 turn is used, i.e. the height between the freeboard and the bottom of the water at high tide should be multiplied by five to obtain the appropriate chain length. In bad weather, you can also use a 7:1 topping.
1- Saint-Maurice River
It is possible to anchor in the Rivière Saint-Maurice at Trois-Rivières. However, it is important to enter with caution, as the available depth varies greatly with the flow. The anchorage is located between Isle Saint-Quentin and the river’s right bank, just downstream of the 138 bridge. Entry is by daylight, as most of the markers are non-luminous buoys.
Coordinates: 46° 21′ 03.7″ N 072° 31′ 56.7″ W.
Comment by Bastian Raulier: In the particularly rainy summer of 2023, we went in with a 4-foot draft sailboat to spend the night. The hold on the bottom was excellent, and the river’s flow made it possible to remain motionless even in changing winds.
2- St-Pierre de l’Ile d’Orléans
An anchorage on the north side of Ile d’Orléans. From Quebec City, you approach it by passing under the island’s bridge. Upriver, you can also take the channel north of the island. The anchorage is between the high-power wires and the bridge.
Coordinates: 46° 53′ 28.7″ N 071° 06′ 19.1″ W.
Degree of protection: very good when the wind is in the usual Suroît conditions (South-West).
Pier du Sud’s comments: The anchorage was offered to me by S/V La Grande Fugue. It’s a very comfortable anchorage, ideal for a quiet outing from Quebec City. It’s sure to be a popular spot for an evening of Loto-Québec fireworks. The boulevard des chutes can be heard a little, but nothing that detracts from the charm and comfort of the very calm waters. The anchorage is probably mediocre in Nordet conditions.
3- Îlet Bellechasse
The Ilet Bellechasse anchorage is a good place to wait for the right tides to enter the Berthier-sur-Mer marina, or to spend the night. One should position itself on the northeast side of the Ilet for protection from the Suroît. The approach requires a little courage, as the bottom only rises close to the Ilet.
Coordinates: 46° 55′ 54.0″ N 070° 46′ 01.7″ W.
Degree of protection: good when the wind is in the usual Suroît conditions (South-West).
Comment from Pier du Sud: we anchored there on our way from Quebec. I anchored Jean-du-Sud too far east, more inside the bay than near the Îlet. This was a very bad idea and we slept with a lot of swell. However, the anchor held very well. The anchorage was a good alternative to the marina, especially to avoid grounding the boat.
4- Isle de la Sottise
Next to Grosse Île, this small anchorage is a good shelter from the waves when the wind blows from the north or north-east. As the isle is particularly low to the water, protection from the wind is only partial. The clay bottom provides excellent hold.
Coordinates: 47° 01′ 24.5″ N 070° 38′ 44.2″ W.
Comment by Bastian Raulier: When we passed through 2024, the wind was whistling 20 knots through the shrouds. We didn’t suffer a single little ripple.
5- Isle Longue
The Montmagny isles are full of good shelters, like Isle Longue. This isle, along with Isle du Cheval, offers good anchorages for waiting out a tide by positioning yourself on the appropriate side to the wind.
Coordinates: 47° 03′ 06.6″ N 070° 35′ 04.6″ W.
Comment by Bastian Raulier: It is necessary to get as close as possible to the isle, in the shallow part, to escape the impressive ebb and flood currents.
6- Isle-aux-Coudres
The arm of the river between Baie Saint-Paul and Isle-aux-Coudres has a remarkable current. The current can approach seven knots at the height of the ebb, due to a tidal range of almost 20 feet. Nevertheless, it’s possible and easy to anchor near île aux Coudres, southwest of the ferry dock. By dropping anchor close to the shore, you can avoid the strongest current. However, it’s impossible to escape the Olympic waves of the liners, which threaten to turn the small boats into merry-go-rounds while they pass.
Coordinates: 47° 25′ 05.8″ N 070° 23′ 55.0″ W
Degree of protection: Protected from easterly to southerly winds.
Comment from Vela I: This anchorage enabled us to make a stopover between the Pot à l’Eau-de-Vie and Saint-Pierre-de-l’Île-d’Orléans anchorages. We spent a comfortable night here in calm weather, but some boaters report an unpleasant swell when the wind is against the current. We also saw a few beluga whales on parade.
7- St-Irénée
When sailing north between Isle aux Coudres and Tadoussac, the distance usually requires a stop at Cap-à-l’Aigle. However, in fine weather, it is possible to drop anchor on either side of Saint-Irénée’s paved quay. Protection from the elements is partial, but sufficient for a comfortable night’s sleep. On hot days, particular attention should be paid to katabatic winds, which can come down suddenly after sunset with impressive force.
Coordinates: 47° 33′ 34.9″ N 070° 12′ 07.5″ W.
Comment by Bastian Raulier: In 2024, the quay was illuminated by 4 blue lights, making it easier to approach at night. Incidentally, legend has it that within reasonable swimming (or dinghy) distance, there’s a French fries shack serving particularly tasty portions.
8- Brandy Pot
Also known in French as Brandy Pot, the anchorage is approached from the south side of the river. It’s practically opposite Rivière-du-Loup. We may be able to coordinate a night with friends to spend at a hotel on the island.
Coordinates: 47° 52′ 37.0″ N 069° 40′ 53.5″ W.
Degree of protection: excellent, very little current or wind. You can position yourself on either side of Ile Pot à l’Eau-de-Vie, depending on wind direction.
Comment from Pier du Sud: in my opinion, one of the most beautiful anchorages on the river. It’s isolated because it’s right in the middle of the river, but very well protected by the Ile aux Lièvres right next to it. For a boat making 5.0 knots like Jean-du-Sud, it’s an ideal stopover between Île-aux-Coudres (or St-Jean-Port-Joli) and Tadoussac.
9- Anse à la Goélette
Anse à la Goélette is nestled in the foothills of the Saguenay Fjord, some ten nautical miles from Tadoussac. It’s best to approach with caution, as an uncharted rocky shoal threatens ships near the southwest shore. Anchors are dropped in 35 to 40 feet of water at low tide in calm weather. It’s also possible to spend the night north of the bay (called Anse de Saint-Étienne), near Anse des Messieurs.
Coordinates: 48° 11′ 50.0″ N 069° 53′ 40.6″ W.
Degree of protection: Protected from south to north-westerly winds.
Access to shore: The beach north of Anse de Saint-Étienne is easily reached by dinghy.
Comment from sailboat Vela I: Anse à la Goélette is like many anchorages in the Saguenay Fjord: magnificent, but deep and strewn with rocks that skim the water at low tide. Better to have a long anchor line and an anchor alarm to sleep soundly. This anchorage enabled us to enter the Fjord without stopping in Tadoussac, which we visited on the way back instead.
10- Anse à Robitaille
Located two nautical miles from the village of Les Escoumins, Anse à Robitaille is a stopover between Parc national du Bic, on the south shore of the river, and the Saguenay Fjord. Also known as Baie des Anémones, the cove’s sandy bottom is dotted with large rocks. We drop anchor in about 30 feet of water at low tide to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Coordonnées: 48° 19′ 20.8″ N 069° 24′ 46.1″ W.
Degree of protection: Protected from northeast to southwest winds, but exposed to swell from the river and whale-watching boats, which frequent a wharf in the bay.
Access to shore: It’s possible to explore the beach of l’anse à Robitaille, but only the most adventurous sailors will be able to reach Route 138 due to the steep gradient and abundant vegetation.
Comment from sailboat Vela I: Anse à Robitaille is one of the only anchorages in the northern part of the Parc Maritimes du Saint-Laurent, an area of great marine biodiversity. If you’re lucky, you may see whales diving just a stone’s throw from your boat, or seals on the beach at the end of the little bay. Be prepared for a slight roll from the river and nearby tourist activities.
Bastian Raulier’s comments: You have to get used to the rocky bottom, which requires a bit of skill to anchor. But it’s well worth the effort, as whales are often to be seen, especially just after the last zodiacs have docked.
If the bay is full, there’s an alternative just to the west, the Baie des Basques, which offers better shelter from the wind, but requires cohabitation with the pilots’ dock, who come and go at all hours.
11- Parc du Bic
Anse à l’Orignal is one of the main anchorages in Parc national du Bic. Its rocky headlands offer good protection from the over-water, and its malleable soil ensures that anchors are held securely. Approach the bay from the north, or even the northeast, taking care to avoid the Moose reef, as well as a shoal that’s hard to see at high tide. Please note: a large part of Anse à l’Orignal is closed to navigation.
Coordinates (Anse à l’Orignal): 48° 21′ 54.7″ N 068° 47′ 19.4″ W.
Coordinates (Baie des Ha Ha!): 48° 20′ 38.2″ N 068° 49′ 48.4″ W.
Degree of protection: Anse à l’Orignal offers protection from east-southwest winds and river swells. If the north wind blows, we prefer Baie du Ha! Ha! on the west side of Cap à l’Orignal.
Comment from the sailboat Vela I: Anchoring at Anse à l’Orignal allows us to appreciate the Bic cliffs from a whole new perspective. The rocks to the north of the anchorage are a hazard to navigation, but above all the resting place of an impressive number of seals. If the bay is silent, you’ll be surprised by their guttural cries. This is a particularly popular anchorage; expect to share this jewel of the St. Lawrence with many other boaters.
Comment from Pier du Sud: We went to Anse à l’Orignal after our visit to the Tadoussac Marina. The place is incredible. It can easily hold 20 boats. Beware of the submerged rocks at the extension of the l’Orignal reef. You’ll want to turn northeast at a safe distance.
12- Gros Méchins
The Gros Méchins anchorage (here for the origin of the name) is between the waterfront houses and the harbor. You’ll have an unobstructed view of the village… and the villagers will have an unobstructed view of you! It’s worth noting that the water is so clear you can see the bottom at a depth of four meters.
Coordinates: 49° 00′ 19.0″ N 066° 58′ 15.3″ W.
Comment from Pier du Sud: we anchored during a day of calms after passing through Matane. The cove was calm as oil and the anchorage very comfortable. In Suroît conditions, the harbor probably breaks the wave, but during a Nordet, we’ll probably be overexposed to the wave.
13- Anse de Mont Louis
Anse Mont Louis, opposite the village of the same name, is a relatively protected natural fishing port. Depths of up to 8 meters accommodate larger keelboats, but protection is more important for depths of less than 4 meters (at low tide). This anchorage is right in the middle of the Chic-Chocs and makes an ideal stopover on your way up or down the river’s south shore. If required, the beach can easily be reached by dinghy.
Coordinates: 49° 13′ 58.5″ N 065° 43′ 50.0″ W.
Degree of protection: very good. We’ll anchor behind the west jetty to protect ourselves from the Suroît waves. Otherwise, we’ll anchor at the east pier to protect ourselves from the Nordet.
Comment from Pier du Sud: we anchored between Ste-Anne-des-Monts and Rivière-au-Renard. Gusts were in excess of 25 knots on the river, and anchor handling was excellent. Waves are significantly smaller than on the river, but a small swell remains due to the size of the bay.
14- Anse de Grande Vallée
Anse de Grande Vallée is a natural harbour in the Parc national de la Gaspésie. The passage between Mont Louis and Grande Vallée is 20 nautical miles and corresponds to the part of the coast most exposed to the offshore wind. Combined, these two anchorages provide a suitable weather window for a small boat to pass through.
Three or four boats can anchor behind the quay, and up to 5-6 boats in a more exposed part of the harbor. You can also dock at the public quay, but you’ll need to bring a board for your fenders… and hope there’s one of the three or four places available.
Coordinates: 49° 13′ 43.2″ N 065° 08′ 02.2″ W.
15- L’Anse au Homard
If you need to wait for the harbour master, or if you don’t need washing or electricity, L’Anse au Homard, right next to the Gaspé marina, offers a relatively quiet anchorage. At this height, Gaspé Bay is protected, but will leave you exposed – in complete safety – to the southerly winds.
Coordinates: 48° 49′ 35.1″ N 064° 27′ 48.4″ W.
Comment from Pier du Sud: We anchored here while waiting for the service dock at the Gaspé Marina to become available. We’ve seen several sailboats spend the night here, especially when the remnants of a tropical depression hit the Gaspé. The holding seems very solid.
Conclusion
This list of anchorages will help people planning a few sailing trips to get their bearings on the St. Lawrence River. It’s accessible, free and, above all, the anchorages have been tested by the authors.
It is by no means exhaustive. There are plenty more! Although the authors are aware of the existence of anchorages on the Mingans Islands, or at the Baie de St-Pancrace wharf, they are not listed here. We can also refer to navigation applications (e.g. Boating) that allow users to leave comments on anchorages. However, you’ll have to resign yourself to paying a subscription to see them.
