Channel Islands Anchoring

[Blue5]

Were off cruising in the summer and we would like to anchor out a lot more than we have in the past.

Given the range of tides in Channel Islands looking for reccomended anchorages, ones to avoid and any words of wisdom.

I do not want advice on which anchor to use

 

[arto]

Only places I've tried anchoring in the CIs are off Sark. We spent a couple of nights in Dixcart Bay, on the south coast of Sark, and outside the moorings just south of the sound between Sark and Brecqhou. Both fine in settled weather provided you allow for the tide. Plenty of chain... Oh, and Icart bay on the south side of Guernsey.

 

[Angele]

How much chain/rope have you? And would you consider getting more if the response is "that is not enough"? Once anchored, do you expect to stay put all night, or are you prepared to move if the scope falls to low as the tide comes in?

All useful in helping us to give advice. But, bear in mind that the rise and fall of tide is appreciably less in Alderney (mean spring range 5.3m) than in Jersey (mean spring range 9.6m).

 

[Seajet]

Havelet bay just S of St Peter Port is a good start, straightforward but may get too busy at peak season.

 

[rickym]

No Advice yet so here is my 2d worth. Doing this from memory so someone will come up with the names I can't remember

Alderney - little bay east of the harbour ent can't remember the name
- The bay on the east side with the tank trap wall and Roman ruins?? - gets very shallow on springs close to shore.

Herm - Shell bay, but if you want a day on Herm leave the boat in St Peter Port and get the ferry.

Guernsey - Havelet bay is HORRIBLE swell comes around the corner and you can roll your masts down!

Sark - Dixcart and Derrible bays, Harvre de la Grieve or Havre Gosselin depending on the wind direction.

Jersey - Some nice bays on the south and east side. Problem is the tidal range you end up being 1/2 mile from the shore on springs.

Get a decent pilot book it is well worth the trouble. wherever you anchor you need to be out of the tide if possible,

 

[Blue5]

How much chain/rope have you? And would you consider getting more if the response is "that is not enough"? Once anchored, do you expect to stay put all night, or are you prepared to move if the scope falls to low as the tide comes in?

All useful in helping us to give advice. But, bear in mind that the rise and fall of tide is appreciably less in Alderney (mean spring range 5.3m) than in Jersey (mean spring range 9.6m).

50m of chain and 20m warp on main anchor. Plenty more anchor warp in the lazarette.

Would prefer to stay put all night (subject to the usual caveats)

 

[Angele]

50m of chain plus rope, eh. That should do you fine, even with a big Jersey tide!

Alderney - little bay east of the harbour ent can't remember the name

Saye?

- The bay on the east side with the tank trap wall and Roman ruins?? - gets very shallow on springs close to shore.

Longy?

Sark - Dixcart and Derrible bays, Harvre de la Grieve or Havre Gosselin depending on the wind direction.

Seconded. Any will do, so pick the one that is sheltered.

Jersey - Some nice bays on the south and east side. Problem is the tidal range you end up being 1/2 mile from the shore on springs.

Small bays at Beauport and Portelet are probably the nicest, but best to pick neaps there coz not much swinging room if you are going to overnight. Loads of room off St Brelade. On the East, best location by far is Gorey, with the medieval castle towering over you. Not very sheltered, though, so perhaps just for a lunch stop on the way to or from Carteret.

 

[guernseyman]

On Guernsey's north coast is L'Ancresse, which means 'the anchorage'. Not much in the vicinity, except the common and coast for walks.
South of St Peter Port is Fermain, an idyllic bay anchorage at the foot of a wooded valley; there is an interesting restaurant for which you would need to book.
The first bay on the South coast is Petit Port with a good expanse of sand and 100's of steps up the cliff to a restaurant, not particularly cheap.
In Sark take your pick of bays to anchor according to wind and swell. You can reach any hotel or restaurant in a few minutes stroll. Enjoy.
Warnings: Sark is dark at night - take torches; the steps up from Grande Greve to La Coupée have been obliterated by a cliff fall, but you could row round to Havre Gosselin.
The moorings on the East and West coasts in Sark are free.
In Herm, my favourite anchorage is Belvoir on the East coast. Again, everything is within strolling distance.
Warning: the anchorage by Rosière steps is handy for drink and food, but a high spring tide rushes through - so make sure the anchor is dug in.

 

[Seajet]

FWIW, Havelet Bay was fine when I anchored there; but I am choosy about conditions

 

[KREW2]

On the south coast of Jersey Belcroute bay to the west of St Aubins bay is about the best place to anchor with reasonable shelter. It's worth going ashore as St Aubin very lively with plenty of bars restaurants and the RCIYC, though not many saily types get in there. The only problem is to get into the harbour you only have two and a half hours either side of high tide, and a very long trip in the tender. The alternative is to dry out in St Aubins harbour alongside, or be prepared to drag/carry your tender for a few hundred yards.

 

[Lady Campanula]

There are so many beautiful spots, but an understanding of weather and sound anchoring techniques are both needed for peace of mind....and there's lots of peace to be found.

Here are some pics, filched from Google Maps, of some superb anchorages I've used, alternatives to the busy main ones listed in the almanac....

Havelet and Fermain

Herm SW

Herm NE

St Catherine's

Gorey

Portelet

Chausey S

Longy

Burhou


I can't show the two very special anchorages tucked away inside Les Minquiers, for I'm sworn to secrecy....

 

[Elessar]

On the south coast of Jersey Belcroute bay to the west of St Aubins bay is about the best place to anchor with reasonable shelter. It's worth going ashore as St Aubin very lively with plenty of bars restaurants and the RCIYC, though not many saily types get in there. The only problem is to get into the harbour you only have two and a half hours either side of high tide, and a very long trip in the tender. The alternative is to dry out in St Aubins harbour alongside, or be prepared to drag/carry your tender for a few hundred yards.

I'm with you - my favourite!

view looking back from the RCIYC to the anchorage, over my wife's right shoulder.
The dinghy drag can be clearly seen! When I used to come in a bilge keel mirage 28 it was a lot easier
BTW I've bumped into yachties from the UK in the RCIYC by chance before, but generally it isn't that busy, and it's great with a fabulous view.

this is shell beach. As with most of the CIs you have far more options if you can take to the ground.

and havre gosslin which is between brequhou and sark mentioned by alto. Here looking down (at our old bayliner) from sark. Herm is in the middle of shot just visible over the top of brequhou, and guernsey is top left. Buoys here now, which maybe a good thing as the swinging was a bit hairy when it was busy before, but it wasn't busy when we went as you can see just us a boat of naked French people - carefully cropped on the RHS of shot.........

 

[Blue5]

and havre gosslin which is between brequhou and sark mentioned by alto. Here looking down (at our old bayliner) from sark. Herm is in the middle of shot just visible over the top of brequhou, and guernsey is top left. Buoys here now, which maybe a good thing as the swinging was a bit hairy when it was busy before

Are the buoys private or for public use?

 

[Channel Ribs]

The main harbour at Alderney is Braye Bay, a very large open area with several anchorages. The harbour as a whole is exposed in a NE gale, but you can mitigate this by moving from one anchorage to another within the bay.

Saye Bay is technically inside the harbour, but it does not look it on the charts. Shallow and sandy but with good shelter in all but a high N wind. The camp site is adjacent and so it is a popular anchorage with people using that, the beach is a delight.

Longis Bay has a rocky bottom and a tricky entrance for a deep keel yacht. The bay is sheltered from all but the wildest SW.

There are a few other anchorages around Alderney, but most are better for waiting a tide rather than over nighting IMHO.

If you do come out and would like any local info please do not hesitate to contact us, always good to meet up for a beer!

 

[guernseyman]

Are the buoys private or for public use?

The yellow buoys in Havre Gosselin (west coast) and Greve de la Ville (east coast) are free for public use.

 

[guernseyman]

Here are some pics, filched from Google Maps, of some superb anchorages I've used, alternatives to the busy main ones listed in the almanac....

Herm SW

Herm NE

"Le Manoir relates to group of buildings further SW; the bay is Belvoir.

"Caquorobert" is actually the lump of rock SE of Belvoir.

 

[Elessar]

Are the buoys private or for public use?

Glad guernsey man knew because I wasn't totally sure. I know I picked one up and it didn't say private.........

 

[Angele]

The yellow buoys in Havre Gosselin (west coast) and Greve de la Ville (east coast) are free for public use.

... and Port Gorey off Little Sark?

In both Greve de la Ville and Havre Gosselin there are a mix of local buoys and visitors. Of the latter, half a dozen or so in both bays.

Three years ago the visitor buoys were yellow. Don't pick up the pink ones - they are for locals and, chances are, they'll return in the middle of the night having been out fishing!

I know there was a local spat there last year, but it had a positive outcome for us yotties: the buoys became free and they were going to inspect/ replace chain as needed. Don't know if this has yet been done and, if it has, whether the reinstated visitor buoys are still yellow.

 

[guernseyman]

... and Port Gorey off Little Sark?

In both Greve de la Ville and Havre Gosselin there are a mix of local buoys and visitors. Of the latter, half a dozen or so in both bays.

Three years ago the visitor buoys were yellow. Don't pick up the pink ones - they are for locals and, chances are, they'll return in the middle of the night having been out fishing!

I know there was a local spat there last year, but it had a positive outcome for us yotties: the buoys became free and they were going to inspect/ replace chain as needed. Don't know if this has yet been done and, if it has, whether the reinstated visitor buoys are still yellow.

It's a great deal more than 6 of the yellow visitor's buoys; I forget the number, possibly 15. I remember one evening last year when I counted 12 sailing boats, including three from the Glenans sailing school, there in the setting sun and there were several spare buoys. When they were privately owned they were lifted and serviced every year.

 

[Angele]

It's a great deal more than 6 of the yellow visitor's buoys; I forget the number, possibly 15. I remember one evening last year when I counted 12 sailing boats, including three from the Glenans sailing school, there in the setting sun and there were several spare buoys. When they were privately owned they were lifted and serviced every year.

Not in Greve de la Ville unless they have put more down since May 2009. I've just been counting them on a photo taken from the cliffside looking back towards the boat.

But, yes. More in Havre Gosselin.

Are they still yellow?