Anchorage

Anse de Saint-Martin

Shelter: E, SE, S, SW, W
Seabed: sand
Anchoring: Allowed

Sand-bottomed cove on the north coast of the Cotentin peninsula, between Omonville-la-Rogue and Port Racine, in the Raz Blanchard tidal stream area.

Beach

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Open to the north only. The anchorage is sheltered from E round to W through the south. Strong tidal streams in the Raz Blanchard 2 NM offshore, up to 10 knots at springs. Work the tide on approach and plan arrival at slack water. Drop in 3 to 6 metres on sand.

Practical

No facilities in the cove itself. Port Racine, 0.6 NM west, is reportedly the smallest harbour in France with 12 berths for local craft. Goury harbour 2.5 NM west at the tip of Cap de la Hague has a lifeboat station and very limited visitor space.

Ashore

GR 223 coast path passes above the cove towards the Nez de Jobourg cliffs. The village of Omonville-la-Rogue and its twelfth century church are at 1.2 km. Jacques Prevert is buried in the small cemetery of Saint-Germain-des-Vaux, 2 km west.

History

The Cap de la Hague and the Raz Blanchard have been a reference point for seafarers crossing the Channel since antiquity. The Goury lifeboat station, founded in 1840, is one of the oldest still in operation on the French coast.