Cherbourg — Petite Rade
Cherbourg Roads · Cherbourg inner anchorage
49°38.4'N 001°37.1'W
Depth
5–12m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
100m
Holding
Excellent Holding
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
100m
100m on excellent mud/sand. Outstanding all-weather shelter. The primary Channel crossings staging port. Full facilities nearby.
About This Anchorage
Cherbourg's Petite Rade (inner roads) is the premier all-weather anchorage on the Normandy coast — protected by Napoleon's massive 3km breakwater (Grande Digue) and the Digue du Homet, creating one of the largest man-made harbour systems in the world. Originally built for the French Navy to challenge British Channel supremacy, it now provides perfect shelter for Channel crossings. Cherbourg is the primary staging port for boats crossing to/from the Channel Islands, UK, and Ireland. The Alderney Race (9 kt tidal stream) is 20nm W — timing the departure from Cherbourg is critical.
Protected From
N · NW · NE · E · W · S
Exposed To
None (fully sheltered)
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Anchor in the designated anchorage zones (marked on chart) — clear of ferry channels and commercial vessel approaches. VHF Ch 12 Cherbourg Port. Monitor AIS — large ferries operate day and night. Cherbourg is a major ferry port (Brittany Ferries, Irish Ferries) — ferry wash significant.
Hazards
- !Large ferry vessels operating 24h — maintain radar and AIS watch; ferries to UK, Ireland, Channel Islands
- !Alderney Race (20nm W): 9 kt tidal stream — time departure carefully from Cherbourg
- !English Channel shipping: VTS monitoring essential
- !Fog: common June–August in the Channel
Skipper's Tips
- →The Cité de la Mer (submarine museum in the former transatlantic liner terminal) is excellent — the nuclear submarine Le Redoutable is open to visitors.
- →Alderney Race timing: buy the RCC Channel Islands pilot — it includes detailed tidal passage information for the Race.
- →Time Channel crossing departures from Cherbourg for favourable tidal streams — 6 hours can be the difference between 5 kt and 2 kt VMG.
Facilities
Cherbourg city has full facilities, large supermarkets, chandleries, and restaurants.
Nearest provisions: Cherbourg (1nm)
Best Months & Season
May, June, July, August, September, October
Year-round capable — outstanding shelter. Primary Channel crossing port. Alderney Race timing essential.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 100m
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