Bloc Marine and Bloc Côtier Almanacs: Complete Guide to Coastal Navigation

The Bloc Marine Almanac and Bloc Côtier are reference publications for preparing coastal navigation, planning stopovers and having practical information on board about ports, tides, currents, buoyage and safety. Complementary to nautical charts, they bring together a wide range of useful information for sailors before and during navigation.

The Bloc Marine and Bloc Côtier collections, published by Éditions Bloc Marine, cover the main French cruising areas as well as several international destinations. The range includes publications dedicated to the Atlantic, Mediterranean, Spain and Portugal, as well as the French West Indies and Caribbean.

The choice between Bloc Marine and Bloc Côtier mainly depends on the type of navigation planned and the distance from the coast. The Bloc Côtier is designed for coastal and nearshore navigation, while the Bloc Marine provides more extensive documentation suitable for longer and wider cruising.

What is a Bloc Marine or Bloc Côtier Almanac used for?

A nautical chart provides the vessel's position, depths, hazards, shoals, channels, buoyage and the main information required for navigation.

An almanac provides another dimension to voyage preparation. It brings together practical and regulatory information that helps sailors better understand a cruising area and prepare their different stopovers.

Depending on the edition and geographical area, it may include:

• port plans and harbour information;

• information about harbour approaches;

• details about facilities and services;

• tide information;

• current information;

• a nautical atlas;

• regulatory information;

• maritime buoyage;

• navigation rules;

• safety information;

• useful radio frequencies and communications information;

• information about lights and maritime signals.

The Bloc Marine or Bloc Côtier is therefore a practical nautical guide for preparing a coastal cruise, a stopover or a voyage lasting several days.

What is the difference between Bloc Marine and Bloc Côtier?

The distinction between the two publications is mainly related to their intended use.

The Bloc Côtier is designed for navigation close to the coast. The Atlantic and Mediterranean editions are particularly suitable for sailors cruising in coastal waters, with detailed information about ports and navigation areas.

The Bloc Marine provides more extensive documentation. It is particularly suitable when navigation takes place farther offshore or when more comprehensive information is required to prepare a cruise.

The choice therefore depends on the cruising area, distance from the coast and level of detail required.

Bloc Côtier Atlantic: English Channel, North Sea and Atlantic Coast

The Bloc Côtier Atlantic covers the main cruising areas along the French coastline, from the North Sea and English Channel to the Atlantic.

This region includes very different areas: Normandy, Brittany, the Bay of Biscay and the French Atlantic coast.

Ports such as Le Havre, Dieppe, Cherbourg, Granville, Saint-Malo, Saint-Brieuc, Paimpol, Roscoff, Brest, Lorient, Concarneau, La Rochelle, Royan, Arcachon, Bayonne and Saint-Jean-de-Luz can be included when preparing a coastal cruise.

This area is particularly suitable for using an almanac because of the importance of tides and tidal currents.

In the English Channel and Brittany, the tidal range can be significant. Tide times and currents therefore need to be incorporated into route planning, particularly when entering a harbour, passing between islands or navigating in a channel.

Bloc Côtier Mediterranean: Navigation Along the French Mediterranean Coast

The Bloc Côtier Mediterranean is intended for coastal navigation along the French Mediterranean coastline.

It can be used when sailing around Marseille, Toulon, Sète, Nice, Cannes, Antibes, Bonifacio, Ajaccio and Bastia, as well as the many ports and anchorages along the Mediterranean coast and Corsica.

The Mediterranean 2026 edition includes detailed harbour information, georeferenced port plans in WGS84, an atlas and tide information for several reference ports.

In the Mediterranean, the tidal situation differs from that found in Brittany or the English Channel. Voyage preparation must nevertheless take other factors into account, including local weather, wind, swell, maritime traffic, anchoring regulations and the characteristics of harbour approaches.

Bloc Marine Mediterranean

The Bloc Marine Mediterranean provides more extensive documentation for preparing a cruise in the Mediterranean.

It can accompany navigation along the French coast, but can also be used as a broader reference when preparing a Mediterranean cruise.

The Mediterranean includes many different cruising areas: the Gulf of Lion, French Riviera, Corsica, Balearic Islands, Spanish coast, Italy, Sardinia, Sicily, Malta and other Mediterranean regions.

For international navigation, the Bloc Marine can be combined with nautical charts appropriate to each country and cruising area, including charts from Shom, Admiralty or NV Charts, depending on the area and charting system used.

Bloc Marine Spain / Portugal

The Bloc Marine Spain / Portugal is designed for sailors preparing navigation along the Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula.

This area can include stopovers in Lisbon, Cascais, Lagos, Cádiz and Gibraltar, as well as the many ports along the Spanish and Portuguese coasts.

For longer cruises, this information can also form part of a route towards Madeira, the Azores, the Canary Islands or the tropical Atlantic.

Voyage preparation should then combine the practical information in the almanac with nautical charts appropriate to each area.

Bloc Marine French West Indies and Caribbean

The Bloc Marine French West Indies and Caribbean is intended for sailors preparing cruises in the tropical waters of the Atlantic.

This area includes the Lesser Antilles, with destinations such as Martinique, Guadeloupe, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Grenada, Antigua, Saint Martin and the Virgin Islands, depending on the geographical coverage of the publication.

In the Caribbean, preparing a stopover requires information about ports, anchorages, approaches, services and local characteristics.

The almanac therefore complements the nautical charts used for navigation between the islands.

Tides, Currents and Route Planning

One of the main advantages of Bloc Marine and Bloc Côtier concerns tides and currents.

These data are essential when determining the best time to pass through a channel, enter a harbour or reach an anchorage.

In Brittany and the English Channel, they can have a major influence on the boat's actual speed and arrival time.

A proper voyage plan should therefore combine:

• the route plotted on the nautical chart;

• depths and hazards;

• tide times;

• tidal coefficients;

• currents;

• weather conditions;

• constraints specific to ports and channels.

The almanac brings together some of this information in a document that can be easily consulted on board.

Port Plans and Stopover Planning

The port plan is another essential function of Bloc Marine and Bloc Côtier.

When a boat approaches an unfamiliar harbour, the navigator needs to quickly understand the entrance, channels, anchoring areas, harbour facilities and berthing possibilities.

Port information therefore allows the stopover to be prepared before arrival.

It is particularly useful during an itinerary cruise where several ports have to be prepared successively.

Regulations, Buoyage and Safety

Bloc Marine and Bloc Côtier also include information relating to maritime regulations, buoyage and safety.

Knowledge of the COLREGs, steering and sailing rules and the maritime buoyage system is essential for navigating correctly among other vessels and near ports and regulated areas.

Information relating to rescue services, communications and emergency procedures is also an important part of nautical documentation.

These data complement the cartographic information and give the navigator a more complete understanding of the maritime environment.

A Publication for All Sailors

Bloc Marine and Bloc Côtier can be used by a wide range of sailors:

• beginner sailors;

• sailing yacht owners;

• motorboat owners;

• cruising crews;

• skippers;

• sailing schools;

• professional coastal operators;

• sailors preparing international cruises.

For beginners, the almanac helps them gradually understand the information required to prepare a stopover.

For experienced sailors, it mainly serves as a quick-reference and operational planning tool.

Why Use the Current Edition?

Almanacs are regularly updated publications. Tide data, harbour information, regulations and certain practical details may change.

Annual editions therefore make it possible to use documentation corresponding to the relevant navigation period.

Choosing a recent edition is particularly important when sailing in an unfamiliar area or planning a cruise involving numerous stopovers.

Bloc Marine and Bloc Côtier: Complementary to Nautical Charts

The Bloc Marine or Bloc Côtier does not replace a nautical chart.

The chart remains essential for determining the vessel's position, depths, hazards, channel limits and other cartographic information required for route planning.

The almanac answers another question: how can this maritime environment be used in practice and how should the stopover be prepared?

Combining suitable nautical charts with an almanac therefore provides coherent documentation for coastal navigation.

Depending on the cruising area, charts may come from Shom, Admiralty, NV Charts or other national hydrographic services.

Conclusion

The Bloc Marine Almanac and Bloc Côtier are practical references for preparing coastal navigation, understanding the characteristics of a maritime area and planning stopovers.

The Bloc Côtier focuses on nearshore navigation and information directly useful to sailors operating close to the coast. The Bloc Marine provides more extensive documentation, suitable for wider navigation and cruise planning.

From the English Channel and North Sea, along the Brittany and Atlantic coasts, from the Mediterranean to the Spanish and Portuguese coasts, and as far as the French West Indies and Caribbean, these almanacs provide practical information about ports, tides, currents, buoyage, regulations and safety.

Used together with appropriate nautical charts, they form an important part of complete nautical documentation, whether for a coastal day trip or a cruise lasting several weeks.

FAQ – Bloc Marine and Bloc Côtier Almanacs

What is the difference between Bloc Marine and Bloc Côtier?

The Bloc Côtier is primarily intended for navigation close to the coastline, while the Bloc Marine provides more comprehensive documentation for wider and potentially more offshore navigation.

What does a Bloc Marine Almanac contain?

Depending on the edition, it may include harbour information, port plans, tide data, currents, an atlas, buoyage information, regulations, safety information and maritime communications data.

What does a Bloc Côtier contain?

The Bloc Côtier brings together essential information for nearshore navigation, including port information, plans, approaches, services, tides, an atlas and safety information.

Which Bloc Côtier should I choose for Brittany and the Atlantic?

The Bloc Côtier Atlantic is suitable for navigation along the French Atlantic coast and in the English Channel and North Sea areas covered by the relevant edition.

Which Bloc Côtier should I choose for the Mediterranean?

The Bloc Côtier Mediterranean is intended for coastal navigation along the French Mediterranean coastline and provides detailed information about the ports and cruising areas covered by the publication.

Is the Bloc Marine useful for Mediterranean navigation?

Yes. The Bloc Marine Mediterranean is designed to provide broader documentation for preparing cruises and stopovers in the various areas covered by the publication.

Is there a Bloc Marine for Spain and Portugal?

Yes. A dedicated edition covers Spain and Portugal and helps sailors prepare navigation and stopovers along the Iberian Peninsula.

Is there a Bloc Marine for the French West Indies and Caribbean?

Yes. A dedicated edition covers the French West Indies and Caribbean and is intended for sailors preparing cruises in this tropical Atlantic region.

Does the Bloc Marine replace a nautical chart?

No. The almanac complements the nautical chart. The chart is used for positioning, route planning and identifying depths and hazards, while the almanac provides practical and harbour information.

Does the Bloc Marine contain tide times?

The relevant editions include tide information. This helps sailors prepare harbour entrances and passages in areas where tidal range and currents have a significant influence.

Why are tides particularly important in Brittany and the English Channel?

These areas can experience significant tidal ranges and strong tidal currents. Tide times and coefficients must therefore be incorporated into the planning of many coastal passages.

Which nautical charts can be used with a Bloc Marine?

The chart depends on the cruising area. Depending on the region, it may be produced by Shom, Admiralty, NV Charts or another national hydrographic service.

Should I use the most recent edition of the Bloc Marine?

Yes, particularly for current navigation. Harbour information, regulations and certain nautical data may change, while annual editions are specifically intended to incorporate such updates.