Harbour

Yacht Club Nieuwpoort

4.0Nieuport, Belgium

Maximum length: 65 ft
VHF channel: 23
Maximum draught: 8 ft

Yacht club harbour at Nieuwpoort, 420 berths on the Yser estuary. Fuel berth. Tidal approach through the Nieuwpoort channel. VHF 23.

Guide

Approach and anchoring

The marina lies at the end of a channel about a mile long and stays sheltered, with 2.5 m even at low water, so tide does not restrict entry or departure. Keep to starboard up the harbour channel; the reception and visitor pontoon, which doubles as the fuel berth, is in the inner harbour to port. Watch for the ferry crossing just inside the seaward entrance, and for a strong current where the estuary narrows at the storm-gate works.

Practical

A berth for a 38 ft boat runs about 35 euro a night for two aboard, and a fifth night comes free after four. The harbour office answers on VHF 31 or by phone. Sanitary facilities are new, with one washing machine and one dryer taking 5 euro coins, though the WiFi is slow. Fuel is on the visitor pontoon, and a trolley can be borrowed against a deposit for carrying stores.

Ashore

The rebuilt old town is a 15 to 20 minute walk along the channel, with a Friday market, fish restaurants and shops; a Colruyt and an Aldi are within reach on foot. The coastal tram runs from nearby to the seaside resort. The club restaurant is good but not cheap. The IJzermonding nature reserve along the estuary has seals and birds at low water.