A Personal Guide to The Ports of the Channel
Nicholas Hill
Cherbourg
Cherbourg is a large town with all the facilities you might need for sailing, including several chandlers near the Capitainerie. It is well sheltered both in the inner and outer harbours. It is easy to reach from the South Coast, and is a useful jumping off point for either Normandy or the Channel Isles and Brittany.
finding it
Cherbourg lies between the two headlands of Barfleur and Cap de la Hague, both very difficult to miss! They also have excellent lighthouses visible from a very long way away. Cherbourg itself is less easy to see until you get close in. The town is obvious several miles off, but the harbour is hidden behind the massive outer breakwater. When you are closer in, both entrances are very obvious and straighforward.
Whichever entrance you choose to go in through, keep a sharp eye on the cross tide - it can set you a good way of your intended course.
getting in
The entrances lead in to the Outer Rade. This is quite sheltered and can be a good place to take down sails/put out ropes and fenders. Then proceed into the Inner Rade and towards the marina. Even without a chart it is fairly obvious where to go, although the shore lights can confuse matters at night.
hazards
Ferry traffic can take up the Eastern entrance. Other than that, it is very straightforward. There are really no offshore hazards other than the cross tides.
berthing
The marina has a waiting pontoon for when it is completely full: this is the first pontoon you meet, and is not connected to the land. There is usually a berth somewhere, however, and sometimes at busy periods a RIB is waiting to meet you. It is worth doing a recce of the marina before committing yourself to a pontoon.
Beware the usual short bouncy French pontoons with the customary lack of cleats at the end. Instead, you find hoops through which you have to thread a line. Not easy to do quickly if you are shorthanded.
facilities
It's a short walk to the Capitainerie for showers and meteo. Several chandlers close by. The town is a hundred yards walk, with plenty of shops and restaurants. Good supermarket a little further away.
charts and waypoints
English Channel:
Approaches to Cherbourg:
Eastern Entrance: 49o 40.41N 01o 35.58W
Western Entrance: 49o 40.62N 01o39.45W
Light on West Breakwater: Fl (3) WR 15s
Eastern Breakwater: Oc (2) WR 6s
Google Earth
Approaching the marina
The four pictures of the slideshow illustrate the approach to the marina from the eastern entrance.
The first two are taken in the Outer Rade.
The last two show the final approach.
Number 4 shows the waiting pontoon to port, with the visitors' berths directly ahead.
Move your mouse over the captions below to see the photograph in question
... 1 . .. 2 . .. 3 . .. 4 ...
All photographs copyright CNH/COH. Please ask if you wish to use them and please acknowledge the source.