Many would regard St Peter Port on Guernsey as the most attractive destination in the Channel Islands. Add to that the fact that it is a valuable staging point between Cherbourg and the more westerly ports in Brittany and there is every reason for paying a visit.

Approaches from the south are relatively straightforward, provided as always in these parts that you maximise your use of favourable tidal streams. If, for instance, you are coming from Paimpol try to make sure that you leave as soon as the lock opens. When you get to Guernsey, if you find yourself at the western end rather than the eastern be aware that at certain states of the tide there is a useful back eddy close in to the shore which will help you regain the channel into St Peter Port. Subject to this, and making sure you give a suitably wide berth to the Roches Douvres halfway between Guernsey and the mainland, there are no significant dangers.

From the north-east, again the tidal streams will govern your timing, witness the armada of boats leaving Cherbourg when the witching hour approaches. As you get closer to Guernsey your main concern will be to avoid the rocks to port which extend 3 or 4 miles north of Herm. To achieve this keep the large white concrete tower with black band of Platte Fougère on a bearing of not more than 245º.

About a mile off Platte Fougère you should be able to see the iron lattice tower of Roustel on a bearing of about 205º. You can then proceed down the Little Russel channel between Roustel, to port, and the green pillar of Platte (not to be confused with Platte Fougère), to starboard: the recommended procedure is to line up Roustel with the flat-topped Brehon fort on a bearing of 198º. From Platte it’s a straightforward run on to Castle Cornet, with the white lighthouse at the end of the breakwater in front of it, which guards the left hand side of the harbour.

Visitors use Victoria Marina which lies at the centre of the back of the harbour behind a sill. Access to the marina is about HW±2 1/2 (see the digital tide gauge on the south side of the marina entrance), and detailed predictions are available on the Guernsey Harbours website. If you need to wait there is a waiting pontoon where in season you will see a mass of boats rafted up. Staff are on hand to guide you in when tidal conditions are suitable and once inside you will probably be rafting up again. The fuel berth is outside the marina on the south side of the harbour so you may want to make use of it while you wait.

St Peter Port is a pretty town with wooded cliffs to the south and a picturesque waterfront. There is a French style bakery at the northern end of the quaint main street behind the front. Marks & Spencer, if you’ve been missing it, is opposite the marina. There are plenty of restaurants, though the very best tend to be out of town.

The main alternative to Victoria Marina is Beaucette Marina at the northern end of the island. This flooded quarry is accessed from the Little Russel along a buoyed channel to an entrance between white painted rocks. The start of the channel is to the left of a small south cardinal beacon, Petite Canupe. Access to the marina is HW±3, but check the tide gauge.

If you are not staying long, or you want to leave at a time when departure from Victoria Marina is not possible, then anchoring in Havelet Bay to the south of Castle Cornet is an option in calm conditions.

© 2008 Yachtpilot