- Maximum length
- 20 m
- VHF channel
- 9
- Maximum draught
- 3.4 m
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 of Ouistreham, aligned on the lighthouse leading lights. The outer channel is dredged for commercial ferry traffic to Portsmouth. Entry to the marina is through a lock that opens around HW minus 2h to HW plus 3h. Maximum draught 3.4 m. Call the harbourmaster on VHF 9 before lock approach.
Practical
650 berths including visitor pontoons inside the lock. Fuel berth at the marina. Water and electricity on pontoons. Harbour office open daily in season. Shops, supermarkets and SNCF rail station within 500 m in Riva-Bella.
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.
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
- 3.4 m
- Maximum length
- 20 m
- VHF channel
- 9
- Phone
- +33 2 31 96 91 37
- Boaters' rating
- 4.4/5
- Updated
- July 7, 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 20 m.
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 4.4/5 by boaters on BoatMap.
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