Channel Navigator
Overview
Pick a route, set your departure and boat parameters, then Calculate. Wind is fetched live from Open-Meteo at the route midpoint.
⚠ Tidal access limitations for this route
Departure — The Bridge WCM / Needles Channel — tidal gate
- Avoid wind-over-tide: strong W'ly winds against the W-going ebb (HW Portsmouth +1 to +5) raise dangerous seas in Bridge & Hurst.
- Best transit outbound: HW Portsmouth -1 to +1 (slack to early ebb) for fair tide down-Channel.
- Spring rates exceed 4 kn through Hurst Narrows.
Arrival — Cherbourg — all-tide, no tidal restriction
- Grande Rade is open 24/7 with no depth or lock restriction.
- Main commercial traffic uses the Passe de l'Ouest — yachts may use either pass with care.
- Strong E-going stream across the entrance at HW Dover -3 to HW Dover; allow for set.