- Maximum length
- 65 ft
- VHF channel
- 9
- Maximum draught
- 11 ft
Lock-gated marina of 650 berths at the mouth of the Orne canal in Normandy, entry point to Caen by the ship canal.
Guide
Approach and anchoring
Approach from the Baie de Seine by the buoyed channel on the lighthouse leading lights, keeping clear of the Portsmouth ferry. Entry is through a lock opening roughly HW minus 2h to HW plus 3h; the next slot shows on a board at the lock and on the harbour website. An enlarged waiting pontoon with water lies outside, its east side touching bottom at big low water springs. The lock has no bollards, so pass lines around the fixed vertical wires. Maximum draught 3.4 m, call on VHF 9.
Practical
650 berths, the alongside visitor pontoon sometimes rafting on busy weekends, with space often found on B pontoon by calling ahead. Fuel berth, water and electricity, showers and token laundry, office open daily in season. Online booking is unreliable, so call to confirm; expect roughly 35 to 55 euros a night. The town centre and its supermarket lie a 20 to 30 minute walk across the canal, though a Proxi supérette and the Carrefour deliver to the pontoon. Bikes for hire at the office.
Ashore
Sword Beach of 6 June 1944 runs along the seafront at 400 m from the lock. No. 4 Commando Museum on place Alfred Thomas at 600 m. Pegasus Bridge and its memorial at Bénouville are 4 km up the canal. Frequent cheap buses reach Caen in about 20 minutes for the Mémorial.
History
Ouistreham was the easternmost landing sector of the Allied invasion on 6 June 1944, codenamed Sword Beach. Lord Lovat's No. 4 Commando and the French Commando Kieffer came ashore here and linked up with the airborne troops who had seized Pegasus Bridge during the night.
Key facts
- Type
- Harbour
- Coordinates
- 49.27462, -0.24860 (49°16.48'N 0°14.92'W)
- Town
- Ouistreham
- Country
- France
- Maximum draught
- 11 ft
- Maximum length
- 65 ft
- VHF channel
- 9
- Phone
- +33 2 31 96 91 37
- Boaters' rating
- 4.6/5
- Updated
- October 15, 2026
Getting there
Ouistreham Riva-Bella lies at 49°16.48'N 0°14.92'W, that is 49.27462, -0.24860 in decimal degrees. Call the harbour on VHF channel 9 before entering.
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Write a reviewFrequently asked questions
What boat length does Ouistreham Riva-Bella accept?
Ouistreham Riva-Bella accepts boats up to 65 ft.
Which VHF channel for Ouistreham Riva-Bella?
Ouistreham Riva-Bella answers on VHF channel 9.
How do boaters rate Ouistreham Riva-Bella?
Ouistreham Riva-Bella is rated 4.6/5 by boaters on BoatMap.
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