channel Islands in August

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davehu

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It looks like my two weeks cruise this yeasr will the first two weeks in August or thereabouts. I had planned to go to the channel islands and the west coast of the Cherbourg peninsular. I have not been there for many years. How crowded does it get at this time of the year. Yacht is 27 feet long keel 4ft 6in draft.

All comments welcome including comments on St Malo and Lezadriuex

David
 
I am afraid I wouldn't go to St Peter Port again in the high summer: its jammed full.

Call Beaucette, however when you are near - they may have space. The almanac description of Beaucette, "old quarry" etc gives quite the wrong impression. The rock walls are covered in flowering plants, there are wonderful walks right off the pontoon, and a frequent bus service into the fleshpots. Plus a great resturant.
 
We did a similar cruise last August - Yes, it can be busy, but we could always get where we wanted to go (we're 30'). The kids loved the hustle & bustle of Victoria Marina in St Peter Port.

Beaucette is very pleasant, but a bit remote.

The western side of Cherbourg Peninsula is also really nice - We particulary enjoyed Carteret & Dielette.
 
All the ports are busy at that time of year, though I've always got a berth in every one. Avoid Jersey at the Battle of the Flowers. I waited outside for 2 hours after the sill dropped last year, but 2 days later there was plenty of berths. The inner berths in St Malo are usually crowded but St Servan isn't too bad.
 
Being tied to the chalkface most of the year, i normally only get away in August. I echo much of what has been written on this post. I have given up on St Peter Port altogether. Frequently, I have arrived only to be told that I can only stay one night because they have a race comming in the next day. One is always thrust a wad of immigration forms . In fact I find them so unwelcoming that I do not understand why they bother having a stand at the SBS. St Helier is a much better bet. Yes, it gets very crowded but they will always try and squeeze you in somewhere. What is more you don't have to complete immigration forms.

Last year I dispensed with the CI altogether and crossed the shipping lanes in the morning took an afternoon tide down through the Alderney Race and sailed overnight to Perros Guirec.. A much better option as one can then make ones way slowly back. There are some nice anchorages in the Treguier River especially off Roche Jaune, and Ille Brehat,.
Paimpol is well worth a visit. The Sea Shanty festival is spectacular and even though it is so packed that it is possible to walk across the boats from one side of the harbour to the other, the atmosphere is electric.
 
I did the St Malo and CIs bit last August, 42ft LOA, no problems, got in everywhere, didn't do much anchoring as the weather was awful! (That might be why there was room, of course!).
 
[ QUOTE ]
The Sea Shanty festival is spectacular and even though it is so packed that it is possible to walk across the boats from one side of the harbour to the other, the atmosphere is electric.

[/ QUOTE ]

3,4,5, August, have fun, see you there.
 
With a bit of patience you'll find space in marinas, but many places are rather crowded and you'll often be rafted up if on moorings - as in Alderney. The good news is that there are a reasonable number of anchorages - free. Especially around the French coasts. Of course, anchoring in estuaries affected by tidal flow (Tregiuer, Lezardrieux) will mean mooring with two anchors - one uptide, one down tide ready for the turn!

There's some detail about nice things to see and visit on my website.
 
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