Boat Hire in Brest

Brest, one of the largest marinas in Brittany, opens the gateway to the roadstead and the Iroise Sea. A maritime, modern and dynamic seaside city, it is best discovered on a leisurely stroll. It is also a strategic starting point for admiring the stunning scenery of these wild yet welcoming shores, on the Atlantic seaboard. Book your boat hire in Brittany with Filovent today. 

Hiring a yacht or a motorboat in Brest lets you enjoy a very pleasant sail across the Bay of Brest and as far as the Crozon Peninsula, known for its Armorican sandstone cliffs and wild coves, steeped in history with their many gun batteries. You can also set a course towards the islands of the Iroise Sea: although sailing there can be tricky at times, the well-marked sea routes make pleasure cruising particularly enjoyable.

A rich and lively maritime port city 

As you wander through the streets of Brest, you will discover the beauty of landmarks such as the castle and the Tanguy Tower, as well as the naval dockyard where the finest vessels of the French Navy come together. Don't miss the famous Océanopolis, a large ocean discovery park. The Ateliers des Capucins and the National Maritime Museum are also must-see places to visit during a stay in the charming city of Brest. For nature lovers, the Brest National Botanical Conservatory offers a setting of unspoilt nature. Finally, hop aboard the Brest cable car to discover the city in a fun and original way — the ideal activity for a family outing!

And if hiking appeals to you, treat yourself to a long and beautiful walk along the coastal paths winding around the rugged shoreline of the bay. Your stroll will take you to the top of the cliffs, with breathtaking views. By crossing the Iroise Bridge, you can reach the Plougastel-Daoulas Peninsula, which reveals a wild and unspoilt landscape. Then linger at the Kerdéniel viewpoint, where a magnificent panorama awaits you over the Brest narrows (goulet), the Faou estuary and the Crozon Peninsula. Finally, reach the Pointe de l'Armorique, where a typically Breton crêperie awaits you for a well-deserved sweet treat! It is therefore an ideal starting point for hiring a motorboat or a yacht.

A wealth of activities by the sea

Covering an area of 180 km², the Bay of Brest remains a prime water sports playground for any boat hire in Brittany. Its visitors can hardly resist the urge to take up all sorts of sea-related activities in this city that shines through its remarkable maritime past. Hire a boat in Brest and enjoy this exceptional stretch of water without delay. Fans of sailing, kitesurfing, scuba diving and windsurfing quickly find what they are looking for. Two beaches lining the bay are particularly well suited to water sports. Set between Relecq-Kerhuon and Brest, Moulin-Blanc beach is immersed in a lively atmosphere. Just steps from the harbour, this long beach provides an ideal setting for families. Here, windsurfing, sea kayaking and kitesurfing are among the must-do activities.

Looking for a bit of peace and quiet? Head to Sainte-Anne du Portzic beach. During your cruise, this beach offers an excellent anchorage: it will be perfect for a spot of fishing and a friendly family picnic. The neighbouring beaches also have a lot to offer boaters, but above all surfers, who will find hollow waves prized by surfers off Petit Minou beach. If you head to Plougonvelin, you can try your hand at shore fishing with the family on Trez-Hir beach.

Exploring the islands of the Iroise Sea during your cruise

Fancy a change of scenery? Opt for a boat hire in Brest and set off to explore the islands of the Iroise Sea: Ouessant and Molène. The crossing from Brest is a chance to enjoy unusual views of this part of the Breton coast: majestic lighthouses, wild chiselled coastlines... and, with a bit of luck, even the chance to spot seals and dolphins! Here you sail through the heart of the Iroise Marine Nature Park, the first marine nature park created in France in 2007, which protects one of the richest marine ecosystems in Europe. 

Ouessant lies around 4 to 6 hours of sailing (depending on wind and tide) from Brest and ranks among the most beautiful islands in Brittany. During the sail, the boat crosses the fierce Fromveur current, between Ouessant and Molène: one of the most powerful currents in Europe, which can reach 8 to 9 knots at spring tides, marked by the La Jument lighthouse and the Kéréon one. To explore Ouessant, opt for cycling or walking and admire its white pebble shores, the sea stretching to the horizon and the Ouessant sheep, raised on extensive grazing. Molène, meanwhile, is around 3 to 4 hours' sail from Brest; a single day is more than enough to take in the beauty of the place and the wild character of the scenery. 

To help you picture your sailing itinerary in Brittany, here are two itinerary ideas departing from Brest:

• For a weekend: from the Bay of Brest, set a course for Camaret-sur-Mer (about 2 hours' sailing) for a first night at the foot of the Vauban Tower. The next day, sail along the Crozon Peninsula and its spectacular headlands (Pen-Hir, the Tas de Pois) before returning to your home port. An ideal format for a first outing.
• Over a week: push on to the islands of the Iroise Sea. Bay of Brest → Camaret → Molène (3-4 h) → Ouessant (4-6 h from Brest), keeping an eye on the Fromveur current, then back along the Crozon Peninsula. Plan short, line-of-sight legs and adapt the programme to the weather.

Sailing times are given as a guide and depend on sea conditions, wind and the boat chosen. As the Bay of Brest and the Iroise Sea are areas with a large tidal range, remember to plan your anchorages and harbour entries according to the tidal coefficients and your boat's draught.

Which boat to hire in Brest: yacht, catamaran or motorboat?

Depending on your budget and your sailing plans, various types of boats may be available to you, from the monohull yacht to the catamaran. The fleet departing from Brest is mostly made up of monohull yachts; depending on availability and by widening the search area, you can also access other models:

• Monohull yacht hire: this is the most affordable option and the one best suited to experienced sailors! The size of this type of boat makes it easier to reach the bay's anchorages and the islands' sheltered spots. Monohulls also offer that classic feel under sail, with the characteristic heel, which is particularly enjoyable on a stretch of water as lively as the Iroise Sea. Discover all our available models for a yacht hire in Brittany.
• Catamaran hire: for those seeking comfort and space. The catamaran offers greater stability as well as more living space on board. It is the ideal option, subject to availability, if your budget allows and you wish to sail with the family in complete peace of mind.
• Motorboat hire: more accessible and subject to availability from Brest, this option is well suited to discovering the bay's beaches and anchorages or for a spot of fishing.

The services offered for your boat hire in Brest

Here are the various services we offer for hiring a boat in Brest: 

• Bareboat hire (without skipper): if a member of your crew has sufficient sailing experience, they can handle the boat. You have the boat to yourselves and enjoy your cruise with family or friends.
• Boat hire with skipper: this is the ideal option if no one can skipper the boat or if you want to enjoy a relaxing holiday. The professional skipper takes care of handling the boat, and you benefit from their local knowledge to reach the finest anchorages of the bay and the Iroise Sea. 
• Crewed boat hire: this type of service is included on luxury boats over 20 metres and remains optional on certain catamarans. A crew is generally made up of a captain, a cook and a hostess, attentive to your every need for an unforgettable cruise.
• Cabin cruise: you book a cabin aboard a liveaboard boat that you share with other travellers and a professional crew. This option is preferable if you want to travel as a couple or without hiring the whole boat.

How much does it cost to hire a boat in Brest?

The table below gives you a rough idea of the average prices for a one-week hire in Brest, the most common formula at Filovent. These prices may vary depending on the season, availability, model and age of the boat.

The price includes: the boat hire and the main equipment on board (the sails, the crockery, the Wi-Fi, the dinghy, the bed linen and the outboard motor).

The price does not include: insurance, the harbour berth and mooring fees, fuel, the skipper, the hostess, the extras (kayak, paddleboard...) and provisioning. End-of-hire cleaning is usually charged through a compulsory flat fee.

At the time of booking, a security deposit will be required; its amount varies according to the boat and the type of hire. We encourage our customers to take out the deposit waiver insurance: on a boat, mishaps happen even to the best sailors, and this insurance allows you to recover a significant part of your deposit in the event of damage related to sailing.

We also advise you to take out our cancellation insurance for your boat hire in Brest. It will cover all crew members, whereas individual cancellation insurance or insurance through your bank card only covers the holder.

Where to collect your boat in Brest?

Depending on the boat chosen, your hire departing from Brest mainly takes place from Moulin-Blanc Marina, ideally located at the entrance to the bay and close to the city centre.

• Access: the marina is easily accessible by car and by public transport, just minutes from Brest city centre and the railway station.
• Parking: parking spaces are available near the pontoons to drop off your luggage and leave your vehicle for the duration of the cruise.
• Check-in / check-out: the inventory and the handover of the boat take place at the pontoon with a representative from the base. Allow time for the inventory both on arrival and on return.

A Filovent adviser will tell you the exact departure port as well as the boarding and disembarking times once your boat is booked.

When to sail in Brest?

Brest's climate is very changeable owing to its position on the Atlantic coast. The best time for a cruise runs from April to October, with a peak in visitors and mild weather in July and August. Spring and autumn offer calmer waters and more attractive prices.

Here is an indicative average of the temperatures recorded in Brest (source: Météo-France seasonal averages):

Sailing conditions in Brest

The Bay of Brest, a vast sheltered stretch of water of 180 km², is an ideal area for getting to grips with a boat, with short, line-of-sight sails. Beyond the narrows (goulet), the Iroise Sea offers more demanding sailing, reserved for experienced crews or those accompanied by a skipper.

The prevailing winds are from the west to south-west, generally moderate but liable to freshen quickly as Atlantic depressions pass through. The key point to watch in the area is the Fromveur current, between Ouessant and Molène: one of the most powerful in Europe, capable of reaching 8 to 9 knots at spring tides, it makes it essential to plan crossings according to the tide times. As the bay and the Iroise Sea are strongly macrotidal, sailing calls for a good reading of the tidal coefficients, the draught and the current times.

Do you need a licence to hire a boat in Brest?

It all depends on the type of boat and the formula chosen:

• Yacht without skipper: no licence is legally required to hire a yacht, but you must demonstrate sufficient sailing experience. You must be able to master the manoeuvres, the trim, the safety rules and reading the weather.
• Motorboat without skipper: a suitable boat licence is required. The French coastal licence (permis côtier) allows you to operate a motorboat under 24 metres, up to 6 nautical miles (about 11 km) from a shelter. The French offshore licence (permis hauturier) allows you to sail with no distance limit.
• Hiring without a licence: this is entirely possible if you opt for a boat hire with skipper. The professional takes care of the sailing, and you enjoy the cruise in complete peace of mind, with no licence or experience required. It is also the ideal formula for an introductory cruise on the Iroise Sea.

Useful information for your boat hire in Brest

When is the best time to sail in Brest?

The season runs from April to October, with a peak in July and August. Spring and autumn offer gentler prices and a less crowded bay. Find the full temperature details in the "When to sail in Brest?" section above.

Can you hire a boat without a licence in Brest?

Yes. You can hire a boat without a licence by choosing the with skipper formula: a professional takes care of the sailing. For a yacht without a skipper, no licence is required but sailing experience is needed. For a motorboat on your own, the coastal or offshore licence remains compulsory.

How do you get to Brest?

Brest is easily accessible: Brest-Bretagne Airport (BES) is connected to Paris and to several major French cities. By train, the TGV links Paris and Brest in around 3.5 hours. Moulin-Blanc Marina is just minutes from the city centre and the railway station.

Where to cruise from Brest?

From Brest, you can explore the Bay of Brest, the Crozon Peninsula (Camaret, Pen-Hir), then push on to the islands of the Iroise Sea: Molène (around 3-4 h) and Ouessant (around 4-6 h), which rank among the most beautiful Breton islands. Find our weekend and week-long itinerary ideas higher up in the article.

How do I finalise my boat booking in Brest?

Once we have received your hire request, an adviser will contact you by phone to understand your sailing plans. They will then send you boat suggestions by email. Once the right boat is found, you can pay a deposit in your customer area to confirm the hire and secure the boat.