Setting & Character
St Helier Marina is a town berth inside a working port: ferries, tankers and fishing boats share the harbour, and the shops and restaurants of the town centre are a few minutes' walk away. Elizabeth Castle sits offshore on its tidal island. Ports of Jersey holds the Yacht Harbour Association's 5 Gold Anchors.
Arrival by Sea
Approach and leave St Helier by the published directions, and listen to St Helier VTS on Channel 14 for shipping movements, keeping a sharp lookout astern. Check Ports of Jersey's Notices to Mariners before arrival. Port traffic signals on the VTS tower at the Victoria Pierhead control movements: fixed red means stop, green means go, and flashing red means a serious emergency, when all vessels stop. A 5-knot limit applies throughout the harbour and approaches. Tankers at La Collette can be hidden from view and may sound one long blast before leaving.
St Helier is a designated port. Jersey only asks for a private maritime declaration if you have goods to declare or over your allowance, or if you arrive from outside the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man or Guernsey with someone aboard who isn't British or Irish. If you need one and haven't done it, come into St Helier, fly the Q flag and complete it; the marina office can help. Leaving Great Britain for the Channel Islands counts as leaving the UK for customs purposes, so submit a pleasure craft report to Border Force and HMRC before you sail. Coming home, report again, fly the yellow Q flag from the 12-mile limit until you have finished reporting, and declare anything over your allowances.
Berthing Experience
Once inside the harbour mouth, call the marina on Channel 80. Visitors berth on pontoons F, G or H in St Helier Marina, first come, first served; F takes boats up to 11.5 metres, and on G and H you may have to raft at busy times. Contact the marina office on arrival for access codes or cards, as all three marinas have swipe-card security gates.
The marina pond is held at 5 metres above chart datum by a sill gate, open about three hours either side of high water. When it opens, the first ten minutes are for boats leaving. The gate closes at exactly 2.0 metres height of tide over the sill, and the gauges start flashing at about 2.5 metres; once they flash, do not try to cross. Ports of Jersey recommends at least 50 cm under the keel near opening and closing, and reminds skippers that loaded draught is deeper than the brochure figure.
If the marina is closed, wait at the Albert Pier pontoon (up to six hours) or use La Collette pontoon D, where 24 hours' holding is free; boats under 8 metres go on the east side and larger boats on the west. Elizabeth Marina is strictly by prior arrangement. Its lights alternate in ten-minute one-way periods, and the stream in the entrance can reach 7 knots on springs, so low-powered boats should avoid the first and last hour. Animals are not allowed in St Helier Marina; boats with pets are sent to Elizabeth Marina or the holding pontoons.
Facilities Afloat
Ports of Jersey lists showers and toilets, launderettes, water, electricity, pump-out, refuse and recycling, free Wi-Fi, CCTV and 24-hour security, with cafés and shops around the marinas.
Marine Services
There are refuelling stations, a boat park and a travel hoist for vessels up to 65 tonnes, drying-out pads, chandlers and a wide range of marine businesses. Hoist times follow the tide; check the Jersey Marinas opening-times table. Duty-free goods are available to boats on departure.
Ashore
The town centre, with its markets, shops, pubs and restaurants, is a short walk from St Helier Marina. Elizabeth Castle can be reached on foot across the causeway at low tide. Buses run all over the island.
Best For
A comfortable town berth in Jersey; crew changes, with flights and ferries nearby; boats that need lifting or repairs.
Less Suitable For
Arrivals near low water without using the holding pontoons; crews with a dog wanting St Helier Marina; skippers who dislike commercial traffic.
History & Local Character
St Helier grew up around its harbour, with Elizabeth Castle guarding the bay. Today the port mixes ferries, freight, fishing and one of the busiest leisure marinas in the islands.
Nearby Cruising
Gorey and the east coast of Jersey are round the corner. Sark and Guernsey are to the north-west, and the French coast, from Carteret to Granville and St Malo, lies to the east and south.
Skipper's Notes
Listen to VTS on Ch 14, follow the port signals and keep to 5 knots. Call the marina on Ch 80 inside the harbour mouth. Enter St Helier Marina within about three hours of high water with at least 50 cm under the keel, and never cross the sill once the gauges flash. If you're early or late, use Albert Pier or La Collette pontoon D.
Old Sea Dogs View
St Helier is busy and businesslike, but once you're through the gate it's one of the easiest town berths in the Channel.
Information checked against official sources
The practical information in this Guide was checked against the source records below on 21 October 2026. Operational details can change.
- Ports of Jersey — Approaching and departing
- Ports of Jersey — St Helier Marina useful information
- Ports of Jersey — Elizabeth Marina useful information
- Ports of Jersey — Customs, immigration and animals
- Government of Jersey — Private boats coming to Jersey
