Last Updated on June 18, 2026 by Colin Le Conte
Table of Contents
Sandbank
News 9th June 2026
Message from Carteret marina
After last week’s windstorm, the sandbank has formed again.
There will be an intervention in a few days, but in the meantime, please be careful.
You’ll find attached a picture of this sandbank and some instructions for your access.
After all the work to remove the sand banks a couple of months ago – they are back after a windy weekend.
Many thanks to Julian for the update
“We went into Carteret on Sunday, after gales of 45 knots on Saturday, and hit this unmarked sandbank that extends halfway across the entrance on the port side. It must be at least 6m above chart datum. We told the marina on Monday morning, and it was the first they knew about it. When we exited, the harbour master piloted us out by going ahead in his rib.”
Marina Guide
Beautiful Carteret is a great place to visit. They have carried out major works over the last 2 years, extended and renewed many of the pontoons and even moved the marina entrance to provide a greater expanse of water. Quite remarkable.
It is well worth a visit, especially out of high season. Navigation is fairly easy, the trip up the “river” to the marina is good and there is plenty to see and do, especially if you like good restaurants. The nearby Barneville Carteret provides a good long walk or cycle ride and there is a very good beach. Just make sure you plan your timings well so you do not get stuck and beware of the swell for the last 6 to 8 miles if the wind is from the west. Watch out for crab pots and ropes.
Carteret is a lovely small town with excellent restaurants.
Marina Gates and Tides
https://digimapmarinas.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Carteret2026_Annuaire_BC-2026.pdf
Douane / Preavis forms
Douane arrangements
Officially, Carteret is still a Port of Entry. If you need your passport stamped, because you entered the Schengen area in Cherbourg for example, then you need to inform the Douane with good notice and they may arrange to meet you at the Ferry Terminal at Carteret to stamp your passports.
For most visitors, Carteret has special dispensation that you can complete the form and send it to the Carteret marina office; they will forward it to the Douane and email it back to you with the Douane stamp. With this arrangement, you do not need to get your passport stamped or visit the Ferry Terminal. If you know when you plan to leave, do submit your Exit papers at the same time as the Entrance papers.
Please note: you cannot mix the process. So if you enter the Schengen area with a stamped passport, you need to get your passport stamped on exit. If you enter with a stamped form, then you need to exit with a stamped form.
We have been informed that the Cherbourg Douane are no longer stamping and returning the forms. They respond and say “Your notice is compliant and has been taken into account by the Customs service” or “Le service des Douanes de Cherbourg a pris en compte votre demande” which means “The Cherbourg Customs service has taken your request into account.”
Do retain any emails you have sent and received as proof.
You need to complete the following form and send it to the marina office 24 hours before arrival and departure
PDF version- https://digimapmarinas.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Preavis-maritime-vierge-Carteret.pdf
Microsoft Word version –
Contact information
Bureau du port
Tel – 02.33.04.70.84
e-mail – portcarteret@ports-manche.fr
VHF Channel 9
Official Website: https://ports-manche.com/ports/barneville-carteret
They were good at responding and speak good English. They will respond to emails in English which is helpful.
Latest news
We understand the sand bank at the entrance has been cleared and the lights at the entrance are working. We checked on 30th May 2026 and the digital tide gauge was still not back in place or operational.
Marina Description
The shower and toilet block is open and there are now washing machines., Note that the facilities are communal. There are no separate men’s and ladies’ facilities.
The showers are good and quite hot! There is no temperature adjustment. They have swinging doors to the shower area, which have strong springs. Be careful not to get anything caught in them!
Video of entering marina
Entering the port
Link to Video – https://digimapmarinas.com/home/carteret/carteret-marina-entry-video/
F pontoon fingers (for the bigger boats) have 16amp and a larger socket which it says is 400v. E pontoon – the fingers are approx. 10m long.
Wi-Fi worked OK early in 2024. Each device needs to attach to the WiFi and then enter a code which is provided. You can use the same code on multiple devices. Not so well in August 2024
Tide rush
The new lights for the new gate can be seen from seaward don’t rush in if still showing red.
The gate opened at 6.3m of tide at Carteret (Navionics/boating app). The board said 1.8m but the digital gauge said 1.5. As there is a slope over the gate at the first opening I would err on the safe digital value. The digital gauge is blank until the gate opens.
Please note that there is a sign saying that incoming boats should have priority through the gate.
Pontoons E and F are the main visitors’ pontoons.
Pontoon E
The odd numbers on the West side and even numbers on the East side.
Pontoon F
The Westside has the longest fingers for the larger boats (50ft+?) and they are very wide. The pontoon is also a little higher. The East side of F pontoon does not have fingers.
Pontoons E and F both use the same ramp on the East side to go ashore.
Pontoon M
For very big boats (superyachts) and the Pontoon is even higher than all the others. The ramp to the pontoon is from by the Bar du Port and there are no facilities.
The office has electric bikes for hire which are quite expensive but good fun.
The last 7 or 8 miles into Carteret can be pretty lumpy. Normally this is worse leaving Carteret as you are going into the waves.
Fuelling
Fuelling is on the end of F pontoon.
Electric and Water
The pontoons do have electricity and water. Pontoon F has 16amp
Electric requires you to press a silver button next to the socket which seems to keep the power going for 24 hours and then you need to press it again.
Water is one of the push-in fittings. You can get special fittings or a Hozelock type male hose connector will normally work.
Walk to Barneville
From the marina office, walk towards the Yacht Club and go to the roundabout and then follow the quiet road on the right toward Barneville. Turn right down the track and then across the bridge. Turn left through the small Hamlet called Tot. See the lavoir on the left and walk past the old train station and over the railway line. Turn left at the small roundabout and that is your quickest route. Despite information to the contrary, it is a good 30 mins walk to the Town centre.
Carteret is an ideal place for bikes and will mean you will get to Barneville in less than 15 mins.
Webcam
https://mairie.barneville-carteret.fr/webcam/
https://ycbc.asso.st/
Drone video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRaAqPtv3RM
Great time-lapse video of the time coming up the channel to the marina by Chris de Putron before the new marina was built – https://youtu.be/sUXtLWvwaQU
Market day
- Thursday morning: Carteret (by the Train station all year round) – fruit, vegetables and bread mostly
- Saturday morning: Barneville-Bourg
- Sunday morning in July & August: Barneville-plage
Car Rental / Hire cars / Taxis
I heard the supermarket in the main town does rent cars but only to French people. However, I was also told that if you have an international driving licence, they will accept that.
Taxis and Ambulances of the Cote des Isles provides good service – Tel +33 (0)2 33 04 61 02
Cash dispenser
There is one located by the Train Station
Things to do
There is a nice walk up to the Lighthouse. The road is quite steep and the views are amazing. There is a small museum there (free) and sometimes you can pay to walk up to the top of the lighthouse. If you want to borrow the binoculars, you need to take some ID.
Reviews / Boating Reports
15 SAMU
A reader reported they needed an emergency doctor or hospital. They were advised to call ‘15’ SAMU. This is an emergency response number. Just dial 15.
They can put you through to a doctor with a translator (3-way call), send an ambulance or prescribe medication for collection at the local pharmacy.
SAMU then called the port as they were not allowed to call an international number and asked them to call the reader to confirm the medication was ready for collection. So, all in all, exceptional service from the port, SAMU and the pharmacy.
The reader thought this information would be useful for anyone in a similar position
The apartments next to Le Cap are now finished
11225*