Caen Marina

[tamarind]

Has anybody been there on their boat? I am hoping to go next weekend for a couple of weeks and cruise along the Normandy coast. I understand that you have to go up the canal for about 15 kms. Whats the facilities like? Is there deisel available?

 

[Poignard]

Has anybody been there on their boat? I am hoping to go next weekend for a couple of weeks and cruise along the Normandy coast. I understand that you have to go up the canal for about 15 kms. Whats the facilities like? Is there deisel available?

Caen is a fine city and there are enough interesting things to do to fill a few days. The marina is in the town centre and handy for everything you might want. I have been there in a sailing boat, at the same time as a motor boat rally was visiting. The marina had been refurbished and owners of some of the larger motor boats found the the pontoon fingers were rather too close together so that only one boat could fit in a space intended for two.

The canal passage is well described in Reed's Almanac. You have to travel up and down the canal at certain times, in convoy. Fuel was available at the East side of the canal by Ouistreham marina. I don't remember there being a fuel berth in Caen.

There are good beaches at Ouistreham. It is also a good base from which to visit D-day sites and museums

 

[miket]

Agreed.

Agree with Parsifal.
Been by motor boat and re-fueled at Ouistraham.
Top choice of other Normandy harbours;
St Vaast, Carentan (long entrance), Deauville (Stbd marina). Never entered Honfleur but meant to be nice. St Valery en Caux, Dieppe and St Valary sur Somme (don't be put off by the long windin entrance). All super.
Worth hiring a car and spending a few days exploring the Normandy Landing beaches and the various museums. Various war cemeteries are stunning.

 

[tamarind]

Sounds good, all we need now is some nice settled weather!! I heard that there is a new 24hr access marina along the Normandy coast, Anyone know where exactly and whats it called?