Anchorage

Havre Barneville

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

Tidal haven at the mouth of the Gerfleur, between Barneville and Carteret on the west coast of the Cotentin peninsula in Normandy.

Beach

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Drying haven accessible roughly two hours either side of high water. Sand bottom. Strong tidal streams off Cap de Carteret, up to 5 to 6 knots on springs, require careful timing with the Race of the Passage de la Déroute. The haven dries completely at low water and is fully exposed once outside, so craft settle on the sand at LW. Buoyed channel marks the main approach.

Practical

No marina services at the anchorage itself. Port de Barneville-Carteret lies 0.2 nm NW with pontoon berths, water, electricity and fuel. Port-Bail-sur-Mer 3.9 nm SE offers an alternative drying haven. Shops, bakeries and restaurants in both Barneville and Carteret villages.

Ashore

Cap de Carteret lighthouse and coastal path, GR 223 sentier des douaniers, runs north along the cliffs with views to Jersey on clear days. Barneville beach of fine sand stretches south for 2 km. Ferries from Carteret harbour serve Jersey and the Îles Chausey seasonally.

History

Barneville church of Saint-Germain dates from the twelfth century and retains Romanesque capitals. Carteret was a Channel Islands packet port from the nineteenth century onward.

Key facts

Type: Anchorage
Coordinates: 49.37573, -1.77583 (49°22.54'N 1°46.55'W)
Country: France
Shelter: Sheltered from north-west, north, north-east, west, east, south-west, south, south-east winds
Seabed: sand
Anchoring: Allowed
Services: Beach
Boaters' rating: 4.0/5
Updated: July 7, 2026