23rd May 2026 to 30th May 2026
Rally to St Vaast-La-Hougue via Yarmouth IOW, Cherbourg (and including Barfleur TBA).
Boats Coming / Where from:
Pegasus, Langstone.
Kalandia, Lymington.
Rally Summary:
OFFICIALDOM.
UK Exit & Entry Form UK Gov sPCR form and and EU/France Entry & Exit requirements.
Note: These UK and France/EU processes apply to all (UK / EU Schengen / Non UK or EU Citizens). Do not forget your Passport!
UK - EXIT - First set up a Gov.UK One Login Account. This can be found here: https://www.spcr.homeoffice.gov.uk/sign-in (Note on UK - UK Customs and HMRC may request details of your boat's Type, Size, Sail Number, SSR, MMSI, VAT paid status).
My advise with UK/EU that it is worth sailing with copies of these documents as part of your boat's standard document pack.
Go to sPCR form. Enter passage plan from Yarmouth to Cherbourg + Crew details. They will also request details of your proposed return passage plan. This can be amended.
EU / France - ENTRY -
First: Complete the French Border control form: Entering and Leaving and save this as an electronic PDF copy. It will request standard details of boat and crew. It can be found here: https://www.douane.gouv.fr/sites/default/files/2022-07/11/formulaire-immigration.pdf
Note: Port of Cherbourg is a recognised Official Port of Entry into France. So arrival is less complicated and the Douane office is open 24/7.
Second: Email this form to Port Chantereyne, the marina in Cherbourg. Their formal address is: Bureau du port de plaisance Port Chantereyne, 50100 Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, France. http://www.portchantereyne.fr/ +33233876570
Third: Port Chantereyne will then email your Entering and Leaving form to the French Frontier Police office - Douanes. Next comes the uncertain part. There is a new EU system established in April 2026 called EU Entry Exit System (EES) and this is where they will collect your bio data. Fingerprints and Iris. It is not clear how EES will work in Cherbourg yet.
Fourth: My assumption! Once checked into the Marina, Port Chanreyne will then invite Skippers and Crew to visit the local Douane office. It is 15 minutes walk from the Marina in Cherbourg town. Found here: Service Départemental de la Police aux Frontières PAF, 27 Rue Dom Pedro, 50100 Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, France. Map: https://goo.gl/maps/R3JQGqCvWMWRmLYA9 There maybe a small EES fee also, think less than €15pp and which goes to the EU.
Once your Passport is stamped. You are legally in France!! Hurrah!
EU / France - EXIT - Note: St Vaast-La-Hougue is not an Official Port of Entry. However is a recognised "Protocol" port and covered by the Douane office in Cherbourg. Exit back to England may or may not be authorised by the Douane from here, but I feek it is highly likely that it will be!
Complete another French "Entering and Leaving" form (above) and send it to the St Vaast marina office. Found here: Bureau du port de Saint-Vaast, 1 Pl. Auguste Contamine, 50550 Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue, France. Phone: +33 2 33 23 61 00 Email: saint-vaast@ports-manche.fr
UK - ENTRY - Update your UK Gov One Account: sPCR. This should be completed at least 24 hours before you depart. Sail home! Bon Voyage!
THE RALLY ITINERARY
Saturday 23rd May. - Try to get to Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.
As of writing (28 4 2026) and given this is a Bank Holiday weekend. Yarmouth is likely to be quite full. There is a Gaffers Rally there also that weekend. Best to call Yarmouth Harbour or CH68 on the day. They say they have 200 visitors berths. Each Skipper should make their own arrangements as it is a only a pit stop to France. If Yarmouth is full, or you are running late, try going to Lymington or anchoring off Newtown Creek, these are good alternatives. Depending on weather, I will most likely anchour off Newtown and if Yarmouth is not possible. Let's keep in touch by phone / WhatsApp. Depending on PSSA numbers coming, more updates and locations to meet will follow.
Sunday 24th May. – Needles to Cherbourg.
Depart Western Solent (Yarmouth area) at Sunrise 05.04 BST on the ebb tide (HW Yarmouth HW 03:58 BST (Height: ~2.80m) towards Cherbourg.
Sailing Notes:
a) Starting at 5am, we can expect roughly 16.5 hours of daylight, and which makes crossing the shipping lanes in day light easier and safer. As this is a Sunday the Channel Shipping lanes are likely to be reduced in traffic.
b) Tides are in Neaps which should give an easier exit through the Needles Passage. Neap tides should also offer reduced cross Channel currents for an easier course to steer towards Cherbourg and an easier entrance. Plan to arrive a little up tide. There are usually strong cross tides at the Cherbourg Harbour entrance.
c) Crossing will be at an individual boats best speed. We will not cross as a group or in convoy. If we all leave Yarmouth together at the same time, we will be in mobile phone contact for at least the first 10nm, thereafter on VHF (Channel TBA) and then will pickup mobile phone signal again on the French side. In lighter airs, if your boat speed drops below 3 or 4kts – it’s engine on time!
d) Approximate distance to Cherbourg 65nm. Approximate passage time 12/13 hours @ 5kts. Estimated ETA in Cherbourg 18.00 CET. Sunset 21.44 CET. Proceed to Port Chantereyne Marina. P & Q pontoons. Keep clear of Military Area. Watch out for Commercial traffic.
e) Why Cherbourg? – Good access in all weathers and all tide. Official Port of Entry into France and EU Schengen. (See Officialdom above) Also good ferries from Portsmouth to Cherbourg for those who do not wish to sail the crossing but wish to join. They can meet their boat in Cherbourg Marina. Pubs, Restaurants, Supermarkets, Buses and Trains.
Monday 25th May – TBC when we reach Cherbourg.
Cherbourg to Barfleur (TBC at Cherbourg) - we may skip this depending on weather and tide.
Depart Cherbourg at 14.00 CET to arrive at Barfleur Harbour Entrance at HW 17.52 CET on the eastbound flood tide.
a) Approximate distance from Cherbourg to Barfleur is 20nm.
b) Barfleur – Harbour dries at Low Water. Expect to raft on Town Quay. Quiet little town and fisherman’s harbour. not at lot there except a few pubs. Very welcoming. Harbourmaster can arrange quayside rafting (TBC) and few British boats ever go in there.
c) Strong cross tides. Entrance to harbour not advised in North, Northeasterly or East winds as the harbour can be lumpy during these times. (Why final decision to go will be taken when we are in Cherbourg).
Tuesday 26th May – Barfleur to St Vaast-La-Hougue
a) Approximate distance from Barfleur to St Vaast La Hougue is 8nm.
b) St Vaast La Hougue HW is 07.32 CET and 20.16 CET. Entrance through a lock gate HW - 2.25 to HW+3.
c) Recommend departing Barfleur as soon at it is safe to leave around 17.00 CET for arrival at St Vaast La Hougue before 19.00pm. Flood Tide current is helpful, quick passage!
d) Approach to St Vasst La Hougue is south of Ile de Taihou.
e) St Vaast La Hougue – Lots to see! Numerous restaurants / Pubs. Mariner’s Chapel, Maritime Museum and most famously L’Epicerie Gosselin EST 1889 shop which is full of everything from chutney to marmalade, jams to wine! Lots of walks and a good beach. Don’t forget your Boules! Market day Saturdays.
Wednesday 27th May – Group activities in St Vaast La Hougue.
Planning on a fun relaxing day, including Boules and a few beers!
Thursday 28th May - Depart
Further afield?
Once in France British Citizens have up to 90 days! Baie de Seine is always worth a visit. D-Day beaches, Caen and even to Honfleur.
Best Regards,
Stuart – Pegasus 325/37