Setting & Character
The harbour sits right below the town, so you step off the pontoon into narrow streets of shops, cafés and restaurants. It is a working port too, with ferries and commercial ships moving through and a lot of visiting yachts in summer. Lively, practical and very Guernsey.
Arrival by Sea
Most boats come in through the Little Russel, between Guernsey and Herm. Guernsey Marinas notes that slack water there comes at about half tide, with the strongest flow at high and low water, so plan around it. The approaches are well lit and marked, but the streams are strong and there are plenty of rocks; use current charts and Guernsey Ports' Local Notices to Mariners.
In the harbour, all vessels must obey the IALA port traffic signals and instructions from Guernsey VTS on Channel 12; vessels of 20 metres or more must join the VTS scheme. Commercial ships manoeuvring in the harbour are restricted, so keep well clear. Then call Victoria Marina on Channel 80.
St Peter Port is an approved port of entry. Fly the Q flag and, before anyone goes ashore, complete the GC27 declaration the marina staff give you and post the white copy in a yellow Customs box. 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
A marina attendant in a dory meets visiting boats and shows you to a berth, or to the holding pontoon outside the entrance to wait for the tide. Victoria Marina has alongside pontoons with size and draught limits, so check with the staff on Channel 80. Its sill is 4.2 metres above chart datum, giving access about two and a half hours either side of high water; entry is controlled by the attendants, with lights on both pier heads.
The Swan pontoons, just outside Victoria Marina, are not restricted by the tide and give walk-ashore access to town, with water but no electricity. Mooring in the QEII Marina is by prior arrangement only. Tell the staff how long you plan to stay; you need permission to leave the boat unattended for more than 24 hours, or to stay longer than 14 days.
Facilities Afloat
Guernsey Ports lists showers and toilets on both sides of Victoria Marina, a coin-operated laundry at the Albert Pier facilities, water on all visitor pontoons (bring your own hose), electricity on the Victoria Marina pontoons for a daily charge, free Wi-Fi, and waste and recycling points by the gangways. Don't empty holding tanks in the harbour, and barbecues are banned in the marinas and the pool.
Marine Services
Refuelling in the marinas is not allowed without the Harbourmaster's permission. Diesel and petrol are sold from the Boatworks+ berth at the Castle Emplacement, reached from about half tide up to half tide down depending on draught, and in the QEII Marina. Guernsey Ports requires all vessels to carry at least £2 million of third-party insurance.
Ashore
The town is on the doorstep, with shops, pubs and plenty of places to eat along the seafront and up the hill. Castle Cornet is on the breakwater, and Hauteville House, Victor Hugo's home in exile, is a short climb away. Buses run round the island, and the Herm and Sark ferries leave from the harbour.
Best For
A first or second night in the islands; crew changes, with flights and ferries close by; anyone who wants a town berth and good food ashore.
Less Suitable For
Deep-draught boats wanting to come and go at low water from Victoria Marina; crews looking for peace and quiet in high summer.
History & Local Character
St Peter Port has been Guernsey's harbour for centuries, guarded by Castle Cornet on its rock. The town grew rich on shipping and trade, and its granite quays and old streets still show it.
Nearby Cruising
Herm is a short hop across the Little Russel, and Sark a little further east. Beaucette is round the north-east corner of Guernsey, Alderney lies to the north-east and Jersey to the south-east.
Skipper's Notes
Plan the Little Russel around the half-tide slack. Listen to Guernsey VTS on Ch 12, obey the port signals, then call Victoria Marina on Ch 80. Fly the Q flag and complete GC27 before anyone lands. If the sill isn't open, wait on the holding pontoon or use the Swan pontoons.
Old Sea Dogs View
St Peter Port is the classic island arrival: a dory to meet you, a castle on the breakwater and supper ashore within the hour.
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.
- Guernsey Harbours — Port information for visiting yachts
- Guernsey Marinas — Visitor berthing
- Guernsey Marinas — Customs & Immigration
- States of Guernsey — GC27
