The secret coves of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez: the spots only sailors know
Updated: Jul 27
Everyone knows Pampelonne. Fewer people know Briande. And the coves we're about to tell you about here are frequented regularly by only a handful of local sailors. These are the places where the Gulf of Saint-Tropez truly reveals itself: no crowds, no jet-ski engine noise, absolutely clear water and seabeds that have never been walked on. Accessible only by sea, often with no way to anchor from land, these coves are the privilege of those who sail.
Andati cove: the gulf's best-kept secret
Andati is the name local sailors give to a small inlet halfway between Pampelonne and Briande. No road leads there, no hiking trail either. The only way in is by sea. The cove is framed by flat rocks where you can step off the boat and stretch out in the sun. The water is unusually deep and clear: you can see the bottom at 5 or 6 metres as if the water were glass.
It never holds more than two or three boats at once. Arrive before 11am to be sure of finding a spot. Anchoring is easy, sandy bottom at 4 metres.
Gigaro: between rocks and pines
Gigaro beach itself isn't really a secret: accessible by road, it draws crowds in summer. But the small rocky inlets bordering it to the north and south are another matter entirely. Coming by sea, you can anchor in these tiny coves tucked between maritime pines reaching down to the shore. The water there is sheltered from currents and unusually warm, heated by the rocks. It's a particularly popular spot for snorkelling.
The inlets past Cap Camarat: terra incognita
Past the Cap Camarat lighthouse, heading toward L'Escalet, the coast turns truly wild. Several small inlets are tucked between pink granite cliffs, with no official name on the nautical charts. Locals call them by private nicknames. These inlets take in two or three boats at most, even in the middle of August. The water there is deep (6 to 8 metres) and intensely blue, the marine life exceptional. This is where the gulf's free-divers come looking for groupers and slipper lobsters.
Pointe de la Rabiou: for insiders
In the north of the gulf, Pointe de la Rabiou hides a south-facing inlet that benefits from exceptional natural shelter in light Mistral conditions. The water there stays calm when waves are already forming elsewhere in the gulf. It's the fallback spot for experienced captains when the weather turns slightly, offering good shelter and a spectacular view over the whole gulf.
How to reach these coves?
Reaching these coves is only possible by boat. From the Quai Claude Meiffret in Saint-Tropez, expect 20 to 45 minutes depending on the destination. The Octopussy captain knows these spots inside out and can take you there as part of a full-day rental. He adjusts the route in real time based on weather conditions, how busy the spots are, and your preferences.
To explore the narrowest coves, RIBs like the Zodiac Medline 9m are ideal thanks to their manoeuvrability. For snorkelling and the seabed, the Numarine 52 with its Sublue Navbow and motorised tender is the dream setup. Booking: 06 10 25 61 26 or WhatsApp on the same number.