Setting & Character
Stone walls enclose the Royal Harbour, with the Western and Eastern outer marinas taking visitors and the Inner Marina beyond for permanent berth holders. Waterfront restaurants and bars line the harbour, and the yacht club overlooks the marina. The Royal Harbour Marina is not a residential marina for live-aboard use.
Arrival by Sea
The dredged commercial approach channel runs east to west with a least depth of 7.5 metres and carries ferries, pilot boats and other commercial craft. Small craft use the Recommended Yacht Track, parallel to the south side of the channel. No craft may enter or leave without prior permission from Port Control on Channel 14.
Control lights at the root of the north breakwater show three green lights vertical (clear to enter) or three red lights vertical (no entry). A flashing orange light on the cream Port Control building on the north breakwater means a ship is manoeuvring: do not enter or leave. When cleared, follow the charted yacht track from No 4 buoy, pass close north of North Quern buoy to clear the shallows, and enter the outer harbour under power. There are charted holding areas if you have to wait.
The tide sets across the entrance roughly north-east and south-west at up to about two knots, with the north-going stream from about two hours before to four hours after high water. The northern Goodwin Sands are about four miles from the entrance, and the flood sets south-west onto the bank. South of the entrance lie Quern Bank and Cross Ledge. Stand well off North Foreland in strong easterly winds.
The outer breakwaters are low rock and can be hard to see from the east. The north pier head shows a green light (Q.G 5M) and the south a red light (VQ.R 5M).
From the outer harbour into the marina, leave the green Harbour buoy to starboard, and watch for the drying bank on the east side of the marina entrance and for boats leaving round the pier head. Call Ramsgate Marina on Channel 80 for a berth. The West Marina lies immediately to port inside the Royal Harbour entrance; the East Marina lies ahead between lit dolphins, with a buoy (Fl.G.5s) guarding the drying East Bank. Call Port Control on Channel 14 again before you leave.
Choosing a Berth
In summer, marina staff allocate berths on Channel 80. In winter, take any vacant berth not marked Reserved. Visitors are normally placed in the Western Marina, which is dredged to about 2.5 metres; the Eastern Marina takes fishing, angling and visiting craft. The Inner Marina, with access about two hours either side of high water, is for permanent berth holders and is not normally available to visitors. Craft over 15 metres LOA or 4 metres beam heading for the Western Marina should submit the Western Marina berthing request form.
Visitor charges for 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 are per metre of boat length and include electricity for one lead.
Lengths are rounded up from 0.5 of a metre, including davits and bowsprits, and the minimum charge length is 6 metres. Stays of less than four hours, including refuelling, are charged at half the 24-hour rate. Block bookings of five or more visiting boats get 10 per cent off the daily rate with pre-registration, and training and charity vessels get 25 per cent off. Charges are split 25 per cent harbour dues and 75 per cent berthing dues, and access codes for the pontoons and toilet buildings are issued when dues are paid. The main Marina Office is a wooden building by the lifting bridge into the Inner Harbour, with a secondary office at the top of the north-west ramp out of the West Marina.
| Season | Per 24 hours | Per week |
|---|---|---|
| Summer (April–September) | £4.15 per metre | £24.60 per metre |
| Winter (October–March) | £3.41 per metre | £20.30 per metre |
Facilities Afloat & Ashore
Visitor berths have water and electricity. A modern amenity block has free showers and toilets and a coin-operated launderette, and there is free Wi-Fi and disabled access. Recycling points are at the base of the West Pier and the boat park entrance. Security is manned 24 hours, with CCTV.
Petrol and diesel are sold from the fuel barge every day of the year.
Marine Services
A 40-tonne boat hoist with wash-off, a chandlery, a sail loft, slipways, a boat park and brokerage are available at the harbour, with repair facilities ashore and afloat. Tradespeople working for hire inside the Royal Harbour Marina must hold insurance and a licence from the Harbour Office.
Ashore
Ramsgate town rises directly above the harbour, with restaurants and bars along the waterfront. The town centre is about five minutes away, with dedicated parking and public transport links, and the harbour lists award-winning beaches and bays nearby, a health and fitness club, and seal-watching trips in season.
Best For
Ramsgate suits arrivals at any hour.
- 24-hour access to the outer marinas on the Kent corner
- Cross-Channel returns and passages round the South Foreland
- Visitors who want electricity included in the berthing rate
Less Suitable For
The harbour is not set up for every kind of stay.
- Live-aboard residential stays
- Visitors expecting an Inner Marina berth
Nearby Cruising
Dover lies to the south-west round the South Foreland. North Foreland opens the way to the Thames Estuary and the East Coast rivers, and the French Channel ports are to the south across the Strait.
Skipper's Notes
Port Control first, every time.
- Port Control on Channel 14 before entering or leaving (01843 572112). Marina on Channel 80 for a berth.
- Use the Recommended Yacht Track south of the commercial channel.
- Goodwin Sands, Quern Bank and Cross Ledge are close to the approach.
- Control lights: three green, enter; three red, no entry; flashing orange, a ship is moving.
- Visitors normally go to the Western Marina. Over 15 metres LOA or 4 metres beam: berthing request form.
- 2026/27 visitor rates £4.15 per metre in summer and £3.41 in winter, electricity included (one lead).
Tides & Weather
High water at Ramsgate is Dover plus 20 minutes. Ramsgate tide tables from UKHO data are on BBC Weather and ADMIRALTY EasyTide.
Frequently asked questions
What VHF channels does Ramsgate use?
Ramsgate Port Control on Channel 14 for permission to enter and leave, and Ramsgate Marina on Channel 80 for a berth once inside the Royal Harbour.
Can I enter the Ramsgate outer marinas at any time?
Yes. The outer marinas have 24-hour access, with Port Control clearance on Channel 14.
How much is a visitor berth at Ramsgate in 2026/27?
£4.15 per metre per 24 hours in summer (April–September) and £3.41 per metre in winter (October–March), including electricity for one lead. The minimum charge length is 6 metres.
Where do visitors berth at Ramsgate?
Normally in the Western Marina, to port on entry. The Eastern Marina also takes visiting craft. The Inner Marina is for permanent berth holders.
Is fuel available at Ramsgate?
Yes. Petrol and diesel from the fuel barge, 365 days a year.
What tide reference does Ramsgate use?
High water Ramsgate is Dover plus 20 minutes.
