COBO
BAY
In suitable settled weather
it is possible to dally here awhile, in 3-4m of water, sand.
Ashore
There is a supermarket, chemist, post office, hotel restaurants, garage and even
a fish and chip shop.
GRAND
HAVRE
A sheltered anchorage in all but northerly winds, but at times subject, as all
the West coast of Guernsey, to HW swell; however good in settled weather. There
are various anchorage's but care should be taken not to be neaped.
Ashore
There are several beach kiosks around the bay with the one at Chouet having the
best chocolate cake in the island!
PETIT
PORT AND MOULIN HUET
A sheltered anchorage in E-NE winds but subject to be affected by a HW swell during
mid-Atlantic gales, which invariably subsides from half tide downwards, as it
does in most anchorage's on the South coast of Guernsey.
A superb anchorage to be recommended during calm settled weather, or during winds
from north through to east.
Anchor in 2- 5m (LAT), fine sand , NE of Mouilliere.
Ashore
Petit Port a beautiful sandy
beach from half tide down, there were some access steps (over 300) up to the cliff
top, regrettably the steps have recently subsided and are no longer accessible.
Moulin Huet A sandy beach with numerous rock pools and a small tea room about
50 yards up the cliff path. It is in this area where Renoir did some of his famous
paintings.
SAINT'S
BAY
A small cove culminating in a steep sheltered valley and stream, identified by
the Martello Tower nestling on the slope and a number of small boats moored fore
and aft from a quay on the SW side of the Bay.
There is room for a few anchored vessels at LW clear inshore of the local moorings
in 3m, sand, but a drying boue exactly in the centre of this area must be avoided.
Ashore
There is a small cafe just inshore of the sea wall selling hot and cold snacks.
The proprietor also has a small art gallery of mainly local water colours.
ICART
BAY - PETIT BOT BAY
Le Jaonnet and La Bette Bays situated in the NE corner of Icart Bay provide idyllic
seclusion in calm light N -NE airs in 3.5-4m, sand.
At the western side of the Bay lies a small but stoney picturesque cove at the
foot of Petit Bot valley, again with a Martello Tower. A close neighbour to the
west with a more acceptable sandy beach is Portelet. It is possible to anchor
SW of the drying rock in 5m, sand.
Ashore
There is tea room selling hot and cold snacks and also a telephone box.
LE GOUFFRE
Close to Petit bot, anchor
in 8m of water, sand between the Vieux Poulain and Pointe de la Moye, and just
east of the local moorings
Ashore
Access is very limited up a step slipway used by local fishermen. There is a restaurant
at the top the track with a telephone.
HAVELET
BAY
Situated immediately south of St Peter Port, Havelet Bay is subject to congestion
during peak times in summer ( July, August), taking the overflow of yachts from
St Peter Port. It is also subject to a HW swell when unsettled weather conditions
in the Atlantic prevail, and is only recommended during calm periods if a peaceful
night at anchor is desired.
Ashore
Access to the shore by dinghy tender is possible via the slip by Castle Cornet.
From here it is just a short walk to Guernsey Yacht Club where local beer and
fresh food is available as well as shower facilities. There is also a yacht chandlers,
fuel facilities and telephone.
SOLDIERS
BAY
A small cove situated immediately south of Les Terres Point and so called because
at one time during the nineteenth century it was reserved for the use of officers
stationed at the Barracks overlooking the bay. It provides a quiet and picturesque
anchorage during settled weather from the west or southwest, in 2 - 5 LAT, sand.
FERMAIN
BAY
Fermain Bay is a delightful anchorage in settled weather. One small disadvantage
is that he setting sun disappears at an early hour behind the high land to the
west even during high summer, although some people may consider this an attribute
on a fine summers evening.
Anchor in the centre of the Bay if possible in 2-5m of water(LAT), sand.
Ashore
There is a cafe serving hot and cold snacks and a telephone box is also available.
SHELL
BEACH
Adjacent to Belvoir, arguably the best anchorage at the Shell Beach is at the
south end where it is nevertheless quite shallow during spring tides.
A sand and shingle bottom provides good holding ground in SW-NW winds.
At high water it is possible to edge north along the Shell Beach with the help
of an echosounder where another anchoring spot may be found SE of La Pointe du
Gentilhomme.
For boats able to take the ground it is possible to dry out on the large area
of sandy beach that becomes uncovered, although it is recommended that exploration
is carried out by dinghy beforehand.
Ashore
The name Shell Beach is derived from the millions of variously coloured shells
which used to form a thick broad band the length of the beach , but which has
sadly diminished in recent years.
There is a small beach cafe adjacent to the large area of beach and sand dunes
making it the ideal place for children to play .
ROSAIRE
A pleasant place to anchor close to Rosaire steps, although usually crowded during
high season and weekends with local and visiting yachts.
Anchor in the lagoon in 3 to 4.5m of water with a sand and shingle bottom. Near
the eastern side there is an abundance of wrack(or vraic) on the sea bed with
the resultant tendency for anchors not to hold.
There are a few private moorings reserved for passenger ferries and local boats,
some of which become free at the end of the working day .
Yachtsmen wishing to take the ground may do so north of the 'lagoon'.
Mooring of boats and dinghies at the Rosaire Landing (which covers just after
half flood) is not permitted, but a limited number of tenders or dinghies may
be manhandled up to rocks above the HW mark, but clear of the landing steps
Ashore
Just a few minutes stroll away there is The Mermaid Pub, The White House Hotel
and The Captains Table where anything from a snack to a full meal can be obtained.
There is also a gift shop, Post Office and telephone box.
BELVOIR
A very picturesque little cove on the east side of Herm, steeply shelving but
levels out to a shoal at LW.
Ashore
A beach hut is at hand to supply refreshments with beautiful walks close by in
order to stretch boat-bound legs.
HERM
HARBOUR
Peacefulness, outstanding natural
beauty, fabulous sandy beaches, scenic cliff walks and crystal clear safe bathing
all make Herm a definite "Port of Call" for visiting yachtsmen. The
half tide harbour is safe in virtually all weathers. With its easy approach from
St Peter Port, it is ideal for bilge keelers or multihulls. Moor using ground
chains and bouys on the sandy beach or enter the inner harbour. Keel boats can
lie against the walls. Facilities include showers, W.C's, rubbish collection,
fresh water, telephone, Grocery and gift shops. No mooring charges. Apart from
the warm welcome you will also find the renowned White House Hotel and its highly
rated restaurants, The Mermaid Tavern with it's barbeque and boaters restaurant,
excellent value shops for clothes and gifts, beach cafes and the tiny St Tugals
church. Many yachtsmen visit just to sample the famous Herm Oysters. Of course
for real peace and solitude there are the anchorage's at Rosaire (but watch out
for spring tides and southerly winds) and when the wind is in the west, Belvoir
and Shell bays. The Island and its restaurants are immensely popular with local
yachtsmen who will often stay on Friday and Saturday nights. To enjoy the Island
at its best we recommend that visiting yachtsmen avoid the harbour at weekends.
There is no charge for Mooring.
To remain overnight, visiting yachtsmen should obtain the tenants permission which
can easily be obtained from the harbour administration office or Hotel. The harbour
has a sandy bottom and takes about 8 boats moored fore and aft. The sandy harbour
beach is recommended where there are good ground chains and space for 30 boats.
The harbour is safe in virtually all weather conditions and generally not subject
to surge or swell.
ANCHORAGE'S
OF SARK
Banquette Bay
Banquette Bay is the name for the triangular area bounded by Sark and Brecquou
on two sides, but there are two bays worth mentioning as potential anchorage's:
Les Fontaines
Bay
The bay provides shelter for a couple of boats in S - SW winds. Anchor in 5m,
sand when the S end of La Petite Moie touches Banquette Point.
La Greve
de la Ville
Situated NW of Point Robert Lt. House, this pretty anchorage is very suitable
in SW winds or quite weather.
Anchor in 4m, close to the pebbly beach.
Ashore
Land in the SW corner of the Bay leading to a steep winding path to the top for
those wishing to discover the Sark hinterland. For those wishing to stay on the
beach a pleasant hour can be spent exploring the foreshore, including the Chapelle
aux Mauves ( Seagulls' Chapel).
Derrible
Bay
A good anchorage when not affected by swell, situated between Derrible Point and
Point Chateau. Anchor in 4m, sand anywhere in the bay.
Dixcart
Bay
Situated next to Derrible Bay, this is probably the most popular anchorage on
the east coast of Sark, much favoured by Jersey and French yachtsmen.
Ashore
Accessible steps at the top of the beach leads to a pleasant walk through the
Dixcart Valley to nearby hotel restaurants and to the Avenue containing most of
the islands shops.
Between Dixcart and the south side of La Coupee, several caves can be explored
by dinghy if the tide is at the correct height, from 3 hours after HW until LW.
On a rising tide with a swell present , spectacular blow- holes are operative,
caused by the swell and the compression of the air in the concave roofs of the
caves, occurring between half - flood and 1 hour before HW.
Rouge
Terrier
Rouge Terrier anchorage is immediately north of the Moie de Breniere and close
to the shore in 4 - 6m, sand and good in settled weather.
Ashore
There is a zig -zag path up the cliff where there is an excellent hotel restaurant
within a quarter of a mile.
Port
Gorey
The small indentation forms a pleasant anchorage in fine weather. At the mouth
of the cove there is 11m, sand but further in there are scattered boulders and
sand in 3 - 4m. sand.
Ashore
There is an iron ladder attached to the rock landing on the southern side, leading
to the sloping path to the top of the hill, whilst next south is a deep gully
ideal for swimming and diving.
La Grande
Greve
A much favoured anchorage by visiting British and French yachtsmen during easterly
winds, possibly due to its easy access. Anchor under La Coupee in 4 - 5m, sand
and shingle, taking care to avoid the two boues which dry 1.3m and 1.0m respectively.
Ashore
Strenuous access up the west side of La Coupee is possible by climbing several
hundred steps and zig-zag path, at the top of which the visitor is rewarded by
magnificent views,
Havre
Gosslin
Sheltered from most winds except from the SW, and big spring tide swell, this
popular anchorage is sometimes crowded during high season and week-ends. Several
permanent moorings present are available to members of the Sark Yacht Club, thus
to non-members anchoring is obligatory, holding in3 - 8m is only moderate to good,
due to the amount of wrack.
Ashore
A low water ladder, half tide landing and steps are to be found tucked away in
the SE corner of the cove. with the obligatory and ubiquitous steps and zig-zag
path leading up to the Pilcher Monument and a friendly pub beyond
Guernsey Harbour Authority
