Harbour

Barneville-Carteret

4.8Carteret, FranceCotentin

Maximum length: 98 ft
VHF channel: 9
Maximum draught: 7 ft

Tidal harbour on the west coast of the Cotentin in Manche, with a retention gate on the Gerfleur estuary keeping 700 berths afloat.

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Approach via the Déroute channel and enter between the jetties of Cap de Carteret, keeping to port and following the buoys, as a sandbar shifts into the long, narrow channel. The retention sill works automatically on water level, not the clock, so published opening times are only a guide: watch for three green lights at the entrance, a white middle light meaning very little water, and call the office on VHF 9 on approach. The window is tight on neaps for deeper draught, and there is no waiting pontoon, so arrive within about 2 hours of high water. Strong tidal streams in the Déroute, up to 5 knots on springs. Max draught 2,3 m at the berths.

Practical

Around 700 berths on floating pontoons inside the retention basin. Diesel at the fuel berth, water, electricity, laundry, crane and boatyard. A new harbour office and unisex shower block opened recently. Visitors go to pontoons E and F, which carry little water at low tide, so a boat drawing 1,9 m or more should ask for a deeper berth. Electric bikes hire at the marina for the shops 2 km off and to reach Portbail. Market on Thursdays; the staff handle Schengen formalities and speak English.

Ashore

Cap de Carteret with its 1837 lighthouse and coast path at 1 km from the pontoons, with views to Jersey on a clear day. Beach of Barneville-Plage at 1.5 km, sand and bathing. A heritage train runs from the town to a neighbouring village and its market. Ferry link to Jersey and the Channel Islands from the ferry terminal next to the marina.

History

Carteret gave its name to a Norman family that crossed to England with William the Conqueror in 1066 and later settled in Jersey, giving rise to the Carteret barony. The current lighthouse at Cap de Carteret was built in 1837 and rebuilt after 1944.