Anchorage

Cherbourg - Petite Rade

Shelter: NW, W, E, SW, S, SE
Seabed: sand
Anchoring: Forbidden

Anchorage in the Petite Rade of Cherbourg, Normandy, along the wall of Port Chantereyne marina. Anchoring is only prohibited inside the buoyed military zone; outside it boats lie on mud, with the marina 0.2 nm to the south for all services.

Water
Pontoon

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Enter the Grande Rade via the Passe de l'Ouest or Passe de l'Est. Anchor between the wall of Port Chantereyne and the yellow and white buoys marking the military zone, keeping well clear of the buoys. Holding is good on mud and sand in about 5 to 6 m, and crews have ridden out over 50 knots here. The tidal range can exceed 8 m, so calculate chain at high water. Wide shelter from NW round to SE, open to the north. Expect some wake from ferries and ships, and the coastguard may check papers. Call the marina on VHF 9.

Practical

Water, fuel berth, 1500 berths, boatyard and travel lift at Port Chantereyne, with laundry, chandlery, a sail maker and restaurants on site; supermarkets are within walking distance. Port des Flamands 1.4 nm to the east for overflow or repairs.

Ashore

Land the dinghy near the lock into town for a short walk to the centre and a large supermarket; the dinghy can pass through the lock to reach a big Carrefour. A submarine museum lies in the harbour.

History

Cherbourg's artificial roadstead was begun under Louis XVI in 1783 with the sinking of stone-filled cones to form the central digue. The breakwaters were completed in 1853 and still enclose one of the largest artificial harbours in the world, about 1500 hectares.

Key facts

Type: Anchorage
Coordinates: 49.65048, -1.62101 (49°39.03'N 1°37.26'W)
Country: France
Shelter: Sheltered from north-west, west, east, south-west, south, south-east winds
Seabed: sand
Anchoring: Forbidden
Services: Water, Pontoon
Boaters' rating: 4.4/5
Updated: October 15, 2026