There are particular sailing conditions and climate when you sail around the Channel Islands, which lie west of the Cotentin Peninsula on the Normandy coast. To help you make the most of this destination, we’ve got some ideas for a fantastic 10-day route during spring tides to give you some inspiration for your own yacht charter.
The Normandy coast
It’s difficult to choose a starting point for your yacht charter on this stretch of the French coast because there are so many tempting places, including Saint Malo, Saint-Quay-Portrieux, Granville and Cherbourg.
From Saint Malo we followed Cape Fréhel to Bréhat with its pink granite coastline. We arrived at mid-tide at La Chambre cove, so we had to get wet going ashore to visit the southern part of the island. The island is known for its Gulf Stream microclimate, which means you’ll be able to spot many Mediterranean plants, such as palms and agapanthus, and a great array of birds, from gulls to cormorants, as well as puffins.
We headed back to sea to sail to the north west of the island via the channel at Le Kerpont. We spent the night at Port de la Corderie and had a very peaceful night.
In the morning we left for Guernsey and almost had the waters to ourselves. We found a berth in the old port in Saint Peter without difficulty, perfectly placed near the bars. Arriving by boat there felt a little magical, with a fantastic reception by the harbourmaster. We spent the evening at the pub and planned a tour of Guernsey by bike. The next morning we found the bicycles needed for our expedition and discovered the wild coast and the private marina of Beaucette.
When in Guernsey, the car-free island of Sark is but a stone’s throw away so we made a detour. Hand docking is not always easy so we anchored at Dixcart Bay. Once ashore, we walked among the groves of flowers and saw why Sark is described as the crown jewel of the Channel Islands.
We left for Jersey at the end of the afternoon but wanted to avoid the bustle of tourism at Saint Helier and made for Gorey. This place is charming with a castle that is beautifully lit at night. With a keelboat it is hard to stop here because the port dries out but there are a few buoys in deep water at the entrance of the port for anchorage.
As we neared the end of the trip, we stopped in Chausey before sailing from the north via the Beauchamp Channel and spent the night at The Sound in Chausey. On our way back to Saint Malo, we were able to stop at Cancale because we had a “ dériveur intégral “( boat without keel )with the dinghy, enjoy oysters and see the oyster beds from the Custom Officers’ footpath at Pointe du Grouin.
After 10 days of sea, we had to return even though there was so much more to see, such as Paimpol, the Hebiens, Ecrehous and the cove of Rothoneuf. To make the most of this region, you need to learn to go with the tides.
If you want to sail the Channel Islands, get in touch with the LateSail team who will be able to find you the latest deals.
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