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.
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
Marina office and facilities
Helpful marina staff
The sign on the fuel pontoon says
A – Carburant (fuel)
B +14m
C 12 to 14m
E – 12m
Fuel and sign ref sizes of boats
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.
Saint Vaast Marina – photo by Tim Lyle 2022
Picture by marinas.com
St Vaast entrance – photo by Tim Lyle 2022
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 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
tide.frbateaux.net/31
maree.shom.fr/harbor/SAINT-VAAST-LA-HOUG…
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 – ports-manche.com/ports/saint-vaast-la-ho…
Tides times 2023 – apisspl.kpratik.com/storage/uploads/2023…
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
Restaurants – www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurants-g58013…
Market day – Saturday
Car Rental / Hire cars – We rented through http://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.