Anchorage

Cherbourg - Petite Rade

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

Prohibited anchorage zone inside the Petite Rade of Cherbourg, in Normandy. Yachts must use Port Chantereyne, 0.2 nm to the south.

Water
Pontoon

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Petite Rade is a military and commercial basin closed to pleasure anchoring by Préfecture Maritime order. Enter the Grande Rade via the Passe de l'Ouest or Passe de l'Est, then proceed to Port Chantereyne directly. Call marina on VHF 9. Sand bottom, wide shelter from NW round to SE; open to the north.

Practical

Water available at Port Chantereyne, 1500 visitor berths, fuel berth, boatyard and travel lift. Port des Flamands 1.4 nm to the east for overflow or repairs.

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: 4.3/5
Updated: July 7, 2026