This is a nice marina in a nice town. We visited in October 2023 to have a look at the facilities.
The Marina office is just across a pedestrian bridge and includes visitor facilities. The bridge is part of the gate that closes to keep the water in the marina and so is only available when the harbour is closed. The person running the marina office spoke good English and was very helpful.
The town is pronounced “St Va” we are told.
Update 2024 by Simon McLaughlin
Key tip is that you need to press the reset button on the pontoon every 24hr for the electricity and the same for fresh water.
Toilets and showers are located in the marina office but do note only a single toilet cubicle in the gents and x3 showers -very clean and modern.
Launderette within the marina office.
Entry -there is no lock or sill, just a gate -it is either open or it isn’t. The approach to the marina dries out at low tide -if there is sufficient tidal height in the approach they will be no problem getting into the marina
Gate opening times are published on their website.
We entered in an easterly force 6 and one advantage of st Vaast is the long breakwater and the neighbouring (tidal) island do provide protection to the entrance.
Night entry is not difficult but do note when coming from the north only one of the south cardinals is lit.
Also do note the finger pontoons are very short, we found them shorter than any fingers we have encountered compared to marinas in Brittany for example.
They have a loop at the end rather than a cleat.
Fuel berth is self service with diesel and petrol.
Marina staff very friendly and helpful and they do have a loyalty scheme which counts towards visits to carteret.
We ate at Le detour restaurant -overlooking the marina. You are likely to need to book. Highly recommended.
In town Le Maison is great for buying souvenirs (local wines, beers, food etc) for those at home and a bit of destination in itself.
St vaast diesel pump is a maximum of 440 euro in 2025
July 2022 Brexit update – still valid October 2023
The Maitre de Port Adjoint reported, “It’s possible to arrive directly to St-Vaast from the UK. You just have to complete and send the PAF form below, to the two email addresses; you’re right to enter France.
Sometimes, the PAF will come to St-Vaast to stamp your passport, sometimes not, but in each case, you’re OK with customs and border police.
If you plan to return directly from St-Vaast to the UK, you just have to do the same, and you’ll be ok.
The form – immigration-maritime-SVLH
The sign on the fuel pontoon says
A – Carburant (fuel)
B +14m
C 12 to 14m
E – 12m
They said they normally have space except for the weekends at peak times, although they may have some resident berths available where they can slot you in.
Just by Saint Vaast is the little island of Tatihou. Worth a visit, but as the harbour is small, it is best to take the amphibious ferry from St Vaast – as seen in this photo https://www.fortified-places.com/tatihou.html.
We visited Tatihou in October 2023. The amphibious ferry went every 1 hour (except to 1 pm) and returned about 10 minutes later. The island is good with a Vauban tower, fort gardens, and museum (included in the ferry ticket price). There is one restaurant which gets busy, nowhere to have a coffee and you need to take your own picnic and drinks if you do want lunch while you are there and have not booked the restaurant.
Pilot Guide
Tides
https://tide.frbateaux.net/31
https://maree.shom.fr/harbor/SAINT-VAAST-LA-HOUGUE
The port appears to be very tidal. They keep a lot of water in and yet the fishing boats still touch the bottom.
The harbour has an average of 2:15 and 3 hours after high tide. When the tide ratio is less than 50 then the closing time may be advanced.
Fuel is available
Official site – https://ports-manche.com/ports/saint-vaast-la-hougue
Contact information
Ports de la Manche, Saint Vaast La Hougue
Tel 02 33 23 61 00
E-mail saint-vaast@ports-manche.fr
VHF Channel 9
Market day – Saturday
Car Rental / Hire cars – We rented through https://www.francecars.fr/ who were very helpful and efficient. Where it says “Modifier l’agence” on the web site, type in Cherbourg and then a drop-down list should show Dielette, Carteret Yacht Club, Saint Vaast and of course Cherbourg. They delivered the car on a truck.