Tucked away within an inner harbour, and behind its substantial breakwaters, the marina offers complete protection. Safe access is available night or day, at any stage of the tide and in all reasonable conditions.
Keyfacts for Dover
Nature
Considerations
Protected sectors
Summary
A completely protected location with safe access.Nature
Considerations
Position and approaches
Haven position
51° 6.681' N, 001° 19.674' EThis is the head of the western Admiralty Pier extension at the west entrance. It exhibits a light Fl.7.5s21m20M. During periods of reduced visibility, a high-intensity strobe light is exhibited from the pier head.
What is the initial fix?
What are the key points of the approach?
- When 2 miles off, call Dover Port Control on VHF Ch.74 call sign [Dover Port Control], tel: +44(0)1304 206063 or Marina Office on +44(0)1304 241669 to use the entrances. Maintain a listening watch on VHF Ch.74 at all times and follow the instructions from Port Control. Call again when 200 metres from the entrance.
Not what you need?
- Folkestone - 5.4 nautical miles WSW
- Ramsgate - 13.5 nautical miles NNE
- Rye Harbour - 23.6 nautical miles WSW
- Sovereign Harbour (Eastbourne Marina) - 42.3 nautical miles WSW
- Newhaven - 56.2 nautical miles WSW
- Brighton - 57.2 nautical miles WSW
- Shoreham - 62 nautical miles WSW
- Littlehampton - 73.1 nautical miles WSW
- Dell Quay - 83 nautical miles WSW
- Chichester Marina - 83.5 nautical miles WSW
- Folkestone - 5.4 miles WSW
- Ramsgate - 13.5 miles NNE
- Rye Harbour - 23.6 miles WSW
- Sovereign Harbour (Eastbourne Marina) - 42.3 miles WSW
- Newhaven - 56.2 miles WSW
- Brighton - 57.2 miles WSW
- Shoreham - 62 miles WSW
- Littlehampton - 73.1 miles WSW
- Dell Quay - 83 miles WSW
- Chichester Marina - 83.5 miles WSW
Chart
What's the story here?
Image: Port of Dover via CC BY 2.0
Dover is a large, artificial harbour and is easily identified by the large breakwaters that protect it. The harbour is the principal cross-Channel ferry terminal in the United Kingdom and an important commercial and cruise ship port. The tidal harbour and the inner docks house a large yacht marina. The harbour is formed by Admiralty Pier and its extension, Southern Breakwater and Eastern Arm. Together they enclose an area over a mile wide extending ¾ mile offshore. Outer Harbour, in which there is an anchorage for large ships (and in the past leisure craft close inshore), is the greater and central part of the harbour. A fairway lies between the anchorage and Southern Breakwater.
Eastern Docks in the northeast part of the harbour contains the ferry and cargo terminals. Western Docks, which is divided from Outer Harbour by Prince of Wales Pier, lies on the southwest side of the harbour. It has cruise ship terminals on Admiralty Pier and provides access to Granville and Wellington Docks, both non-tidal.
As of 2019, the Port of Dover is developing a new 250-berth marina in the outer harbour, planned to occupy a space on the Eastern side of the Prince of Wales pier and on Dover’s Seafront. The existing tidal basin and Granville dock are being filled in. The berths are set to accommodate vessels ranging from 8-32 metres LOA with draughts of 2.5-3.5 metres and be accessible at all states of the tides. Because of this, anchoring is no longer permitted in the outer harbour. It is unknown whether anchoring will be permitted again on completion of the new marina development.
How to get in?
Offshore details are available in the southeast England Coastal Overview for North Foreland to the Isle of Wight . Coastal cruisers should be watchful of the limits of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) as the southwest-bound TSS lane from the Dover Strait is only 4¼ miles off the entrance.Owing to frequent large vessel movements within the harbour and its approaches, it is compulsory and vital for safety to contact Port Control when within 2 miles of the port. Contact the Dover Port Control on [VHF] Ch.74 [Dover Port Control], +44 1304 206063 or the Marina Office on +44 1304 241669 and await instructions on when and how to use the entrances. All vessels must maintain a listening watch on [VHF] Ch.74 at all times and follow the instructions from Dover Port Control.
The approach sectors charted outside the two harbour entrances contain the greatest concentrations of ferries. Dover Harbour Board advises small craft to navigate with caution within these sectors and to keep a good lookout.
Image: CC0
International Port Traffic Signals No.2 and No.5 are used to control vessels entering and leaving Outer Harbour. Movement through the entrances is one way only, so when a signal permits a movement in one direction, a signal prohibits movement in the opposite direction. Signals for the eastern entrance are displayed from the Port Control Signal Station and for the western entrance from the signal station at the head of Admiralty Pier Extension. Quick flashing of the Aldis Lamp from Port Control means you should not enter or leave, as another vessel has been given permission to manoeuvre. When three red lights are displayed at the entrances, DO NOT proceed without specific permission from Port Control.
Image: Port of Dover via CC BY 2.0
Call Dover Port Control back when 200 metres off for permission to enter. The harbour is approached directly from seaward and entered through the eastern or western entrances lying at either end of Southern Breakwater. Depths in the eastern entrance and in the approach to Eastern Docks exceed 10 metres; depths in the western entrance and the approach to Admiralty Pier exceed 7 metres.
The western entrance, 225 metres wide, lies between the head of Admiralty Pier Extension and the southwest head of Southern Breakwater. Lights stand on both heads. During periods of reduced visibility, a high-intensity strobe light is exhibited from the head of Admiralty Pier Extension.
Image: CC0
The eastern entrance, 205 metres wide, lies between the head of Eastern Arm, on which stands a VTS station with a light mounted on a radar reflector, and the North head of Southern Breakwater, on which stands another light. Normal entry for conventional ferries, commercial vessels and cruise vessels is through the eastern entrance.
Both the entrances can be challenging in boisterous conditions and are subject to standing waves in as little as a Beaufort force 4/5 (moderate to fresh). The eastern entrance can be subject to a steep cross sea in force 5 and above with some south in it. The western entrance can be a surf-riding experience in strong conditions from the south to the west.
Image: Michael Harpur
From the two entrances, there is a clear approach to the Western Docks via a fairway.
When crossing the harbour, keep well clear of the ferry berths and cruise berths. Pass up through the inner harbour towards the Wick Channel, keeping a sharp lookout for numerous workboats.
Call Port Control when approaching the Wick Channel traffic lights / red monopole, to seek permission to pass through the Wick Channel. The Wick Channel is a narrow channel with a sharp, blind bend. It is managed by Port Control and operated with inbound or outbound convoys. Two-way traffic is not permitted. Small craft may be expected to wait in the Inner Harbour until the outbound traffic from the marina is clear.
Passage through the Wick Channel may be suspended at times, when large vessels are transiting the channel. Follow the instructions from Port Control and keep well clear. When clear of the Wick Channel, call the marina office, call sign [Dover Marina] on [VHF] Ch.80 for berthing instructions.
Image: Michael Harpur
Dover Marina comprises the Tidal Harbour and two non-tidal basins, Granville Dock and Wellington Dock. Visiting craft should go straight to the reception pontoon; enter the Tidal Harbour or berth as directed by the berthing master.
The Tidal Harbour has 107 berths with 24-hour access. The Wellington Dock offers 160 berths, accessible via a swing bridge HW ±1.5hrs. Granville Dock has 133 berths, which are accessible up to HW -3hrs / +4hrs approx. Vessels with a draught in excess of 1.5 metres may touch soft silt when the dock gate is closed.
Image: Michael Harpur
International port traffic signals, exhibited from the west side of the entrance to Wellington Dock, control exit and entrance to the dock. An amber flashing light gives warning of the opening of the swing bridge at the entrance to the dock.
Image: Michael Harpur
Crafts can anchor in the Outer Harbour, but owners are advised not to leave vessels unattended. This anchorage should only be used with direct permission from the duty port manager. The holding ground is fairly good, but caution is required in strong winds.
© Crown Copyright and/or database rights. Reproduced by permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office and the UK Hydrographic Office (www.GOV.uk/UKHO). Not to be used for Navigation.
Why visit here?
The town's name Dover comes from the River Dour, which flows through it. First recorded in its Latinised form of Portus Dubris, the name derives from the Brythonic word for waters (dwfr in Middle Welsh; dowr in Cornish). The same element is present in the town's French (Douvres), and Modern Welsh (Dofr) forms, and is evident in other English towns, such as Wendover.Image: Chensiyuan via CC ASA 4.0
The current name was in use at least by the time of Shakespeare's King Lear (between 1603 and 1606), in which the town and its cliffs play a prominent role. The sight of the white cliffs when approaching Dover may have given the island of Britain its ancient name of Albion.
Archaeological discoveries show that the area has always been a focus for peoples entering and leaving Britain. These have revealed that there were Stone Age inhabitants, while some Iron Age artefacts also exist. The Romans subsequently made the area part of their communications network. It was connected by road to Canterbury and Watling Street, and became Portus Dubris, a fortified port. Dover has a preserved Roman villa, while a Roman lighthouse built on the present-day site of Dover Castle is one of the oldest buildings in Britain.
Dover later figured in the Domesday Book and is one of the Cinque Ports. The town and its iconic white cliffs have served as a bastion against various attackers, notably the French during the Napoleonic Wars and Germany during the Second World War.
One of the oldest and best-known ports in all of England, the town is today Europe's busiest ferry port and the administrative centre of the district of Dover. The Port of Dover is a vital international gateway for the movement of people and trade. It is also an award-winning cruise port, the second busiest in the UK, and hosts some of the world’s most prestigious cruise lines.
Dover Marina, one of the best-known marinas on the South Coast, is incredibly convenient for cross-Channel sailing. There is no marina closer to France, and just 20 miles separate the cliffs of England and France. It is also a similar distance from our neighbouring UK marinas if you are sailing around the UK coast.
We are currently out and about finding Havens and talking to sailors like you. By popular user request, we have posted this marina in advance of our normal production. Hence we have adapted Wikipedia data in this ‘Why visit here’ section. Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this text under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation.
What facilities are available?
Water and electricity are provided on the pontoons. The Marina features a modern amenity block with free showers, toilets and coin-operated launderette facilities. Wireless internet connection is available through the marina berthing areas. Recycling points are also available.Petrol and diesel are available as required. A hoist, with a lifting capacity of 50 tonnes, is situated in the Granville Dock. The hoist is equipped with a jib crane to remove masts, engines and other equipment weighing up to 1 tonne.
The Port of Dover is a 20-minute walk from Dover Priory railway station. Trains run from Dover Priory to London Charing Cross, London Victoria or London St Pancras International stations, and to Ramsgate or Sandwich in Kent. Trains from Dover Priory are run by Southeastern (train operating company).
Stagecoach in east Kent provides local bus services. Dover is on the Stagecoach Diamond network, providing links to Canterbury and Deal. The Western Docks at the port of Dover are served by a service from the town centre, as well as Canterbury and Deal. Dover is the start of The Wave network service to New Romney via Folkestone, Hythe and Dymchurch. There are services to Lydd via Lydd Airport, with one continuing from Lydd on to Hastings via Camber and Rye. There is also a link to Sandwich and Ramsgate. Buses run from Dover to Canterbury via Aylesham.
National Express runs coaches from Dover to other towns in Kent, including Canterbury, Folkestone, Ashford, Maidstone, Gillingham at the Hempsted Valley shopping centre, and Greenhithe at the Bluewater Shopping Centre for Dartford to London, including Bexleyheath, Eltham, Walworth, Canary Wharf, Elephant & Castle, The City (The City of London) and Victoria Coach Station. All buses serve Pencester Road, except route 68 to Maxton, operated by Regent Coaches.
Any security concerns?
Crime in Dover is very low, but the security of your craft is an important priority. The Port of Dover has its own dedicated police service that patrols the marina and provides 24-hour response coverage. Dover Marina has key-coded access to all marina areas, CCTV surveillance and 24-hour staff.With thanks to:
eOceanic, UK Hydrographic Office and Dover Marina.Dover Marina, Port of Dover, Kent
Image: eOceanic thanks Michael Harpur
Granville Dock left, Tidal Harbour and Wellington Dock above the swing
Image: eOceanic thanks Port of Dover via CC BY 2.0
Yachts in Granville Dock
Image: eOceanic thanks Port of Dover via CC BY 2.0
Wellington Dock
Image: eOceanic thanks Michael Harpur
Dover Marina office on Crosswall Quay
Image: eOceanic thanks Michael Harpur
Wellington Dock swing Bridge opening
Image: eOceanic thanks Michael Harpur
Yacht exiting Wellington Dock
Image: eOceanic thanks Michael Harpur
Dover Marina's 40 Tonne travel hoist
Image: eOceanic thanks Port of Dover via CC BY 2.0
Port of Dover
Add your review or comment:
Michael Harpur wrote this review on Jan 28th 2019:
Thank you Bruce,
I have worked your notes into the main body text. They are more than helpful.
Bruce Peckett wrote this review on Jan 11th 2019:
Notes for 2019 - the new marina is due to open in the outer harbour on the Eastern side of the Prince of Wales pier (the existing tidal basin and Granville dock are being filled in).
At present, anchoring is not permitted in the outer harbour. It is unknown whether anchoring will be permitted again on completion of the development of the new marina
General notes - it is compulsory and VITAL for safety to follow the procedures for contacting Port Control due to frequent large vessel movements within the harbour and its approaches. You really don't want to get on the wrong end of a cross channel ferry!
Both the Eastern and Western entrances can be subject to standing waves in as little as an F4/5. The Eastern entrance can be subject to a steep cross sea in F5 and above with some South in it, the Western entrance in similar from the South to the West can be a surf riding experience (in such conditions, once safely alongside, an urgent dash to Cullins Yard for several pints of that which soothes is the order of the day!)
Please log in to leave a review of this haven.
Please note eOceanic makes no guarantee of the validity of this information, we have not visited this haven and do not have first-hand experience to qualify the data. Although the contributors are vetted by peer review as practised authorities, they are in no way, whatsoever, responsible for the accuracy of their contributions. It is essential that you thoroughly check the accuracy and suitability for your vessel of any waypoints offered in any context plus the precision of your GPS. Any data provided on this page is entirely used at your own risk and you must read our legal page if you view data on this site. Free to use sea charts courtesy of Navionics.