Mouillage

Malo-les-Bains

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Shelter: SE, S
Seabed: sand
Anchoring: Allowed

Roadstead off the beach of Malo-les-Bains, east of Dunkirk, sand bottom, protected from S and SE winds. Exposed to the full fetch of the North Sea from N.

Beach

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Approach along the buoyed channel of Dunkirk. Strong tidal streams up to 2.5 knots parallel to the coast, reversing around high water. Keep clear of the commercial fairway used by cargo ships and ferries. Drop anchor outside the swimming area marked by yellow buoys in summer. Holding on sand is firm, and soundings can run deeper than the chart, with at least 3 metres found where 2.6 was marked.

Practical

Pure roadstead, no services. Dunkirk Marina lies 0.7 NM southwest and offers the full berthing facilities. The Yacht Club de la Mer du Nord is 0.9 NM southwest. Seaside resort of Malo-les-Bains directly ashore with all shops, restaurants and a tram line to Dunkirk centre.

Ashore

Beach promenade of 2 km along the seafront, lined with late 19th century villas of the original sea bathing resort founded by shipowner Gaspard Malo in 1858. Memorial of Operation Dynamo at the Dunkirk War Museum 1.2 km from the landing point, dedicated to the evacuation of 338 000 Allied soldiers in May and June 1940.

History

The beach of Malo-les-Bains was the main evacuation point of Operation Dynamo between 26 May and 4 June 1940. Little ships from England, ranging from fishing vessels to pleasure yachts, lifted troops from this very shore under Luftwaffe attack.