Explore: London & The River Thames
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General Info
COVID-19: OPEN PORT
- St. Katharine Docks Marina has reopened for visitors to a limited extent.
- It is required to book in advance and ask for permission to come.
- The marina will again be offering six month berthing contracts this fall.
Description:
This world-famous historic city needs little introduction. In recent years several of the old dock areas along the River Thames have been utilized as marinas. It is possible to sail all the way up the river, with the mast up, as far at Tower Bridge.
Entrance Notes and Cautions:
Remember the River Thames is still used extensively for commercial traffic. From the Thames Estuary (Sea Reach No.4 Buoy) it is approximately 45NM upriver to St. Katharine Docks. Monitor VHF Ch. 68 (‘London VTS’) as you passage upriver.
On approaching the Thames Barrier Zone contact London VTS on VHF Ch. 14 for permission to proceed. Green arrows will show you which span you should use for navigation. Do not sail through the Thames Barrier.
SKD Marina has useful pilotage notes on its website.
When transiting the river, it is important to keep a listening watch on the correct VHF channels:
Channel 69: VTS Sea Reach 4 outward until PLA limits
Channel 68: VTS Sea Reach 4 to Crayfordness
Channel 14: VTS Crayfordness to Teddington
Useful Links:
- The Thames Recreational Users’ Guide
- SKD Pilotage Notes for the River Thames
- General Directions for Navigation in the Port of London
- Port of London Passage Planning Guide
- Thames Map
Position:
51° 29.22’N, 00° 46.42’E (river entrance)
- Tower Bridge, London – Photo from S/V Taipan
Clearance
- Photo of The Thames Barrier from S/V Taipan
Docking
Anchoring:
Between Gravesend and Tower Bridge there are no recommended anchorages in the river. The strong tides, the commercial traffic and the number of broken piles and other ancient debris along the banks, all form reasons to avoid doing so.
Marinas:
For those who wish to take their boat right into the heart of London, there are now several marinas to choose from. St Katharine’s Dock, right by the Tower of London, is the best known and the most central. Only half a mile downstream, there are two marinas, South Dock Marina, on the south shore of the Thames, and Limehouse Basin Marina, on the north shore. The latter is also the home of the Cruising Association, in whose premises visiting sailors are most welcome (with an excellent reference library).
Further downstream, the new marina at Gravesend is a useful base when approaching or leaving the centre of the Capital, being 23NM from Tower Bridge. Several of the old commercial docks now house yacht marinas too.
It is important to keep clear of the freight terminal at Canvey, Shellhaven and Coryton and the London Gateway Port Reclamation Area at Thames Haven. This includes the jetties at Thames Haven.
Last updated: March 2017
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Bray Marina
Address: Monkey Islane Lane, Bray, Berkshire, SL6 2EB
400 berth marina situated in a country park setting with direct access to the Thames. Riverside Brasserie, chandlery and engineering services.... Read More
Brentford Dock Marina
Address: 2 Justine Close, Brentford, Middlesex, TW8 8QE
Situated on the River Thames at the junction with the Grand Union Canal. The hydraulic lock is accessible for up to 2.5 hours either side... Read More
Chelsea Harbour Marina
Address: Estate Management Office, C2-3 The Chambers, London, SW10 0XF
Located in the heart of South West London accessed via the Thames Flood Barrier in Woolwich Reach. Basin gates operate one and a half hours... Read More
Gallions Point Marina
Address: Gate 14, Royal Albert Basin, Woolwich Manor Way, North Woolwich, London, E16 2QY
500 metres downstream of the Woolwich Ferry on the north side of Gallions Reach accessed via a lock at the entrance to Royal Albert Basin.
Deepwater... Read More
Gravesend Sailing Club
Address: Promenade East, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 2RN
Deepwater and drying moorings, clubhouse, toilets, showers, visitor’s mooring.... Read More
Hermitage Community Moorings
Address: 16 Wapping High Street, London, E1W 1NG
Thames North Bank, 600m downstream of Tower Bridge. Predominantly residential mooring. Two all tide visitor berths available (up to 40m). Short stays, up to 2... Read More
Limehouse Basin Marina
Address: 48 Goodhart Place, London, E14 8EG
Situated where the canal system meets the Thames.
Entry is via a swing bridge/lock HW+/-3hrs 08:00 to 18:00 April-October, 08:00-16:30(November-March). Other times by prior arrangement. Waiting... Read More
Penton Hook Marina
Address: Staines Road, Chertsey, Surrey, KT16 8PY
Situated on the River Thames close to Chertsey and about a mile downstream of Runnymede. Unrestricted access to the Thames via a deep water channel... Read More
Poplar Dock Marina
Address: Boardwalk Place, London, E14 5SH
The 90 berth marina has been designed to offer boaters the highest quality facilities available in terms of safety, security, comfort and style. It is... Read More
South Dock Marina
Address: Rope Street, Plough Way, London, SE16 7SZ
1 mile above Greenwich and 2.5 miles below Tower Bridge. Quay building with 5 arched rooftops makes a useful landmark for this marina. Access is... Read More
St Katharine Docks (by Tower Bridge)
Address: 50 St Katharine's Way, London, E1W 1LA
St Katharine Docks is central London’s only marina. The renovation of the Docks in 2017 offers 185 berths in three basins and can accommodate vessels... Read More
The Embankment Marina
Address: Albion Parade, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 2RN
Accessed by a lock (see separate entry). Visitors' berths available. Max. draft 2m. All facilities, fuel berth, shore storage. Adjacent to Gravesend Sailing Club. 10... Read More
The Embankment marina Lock
The lock operates approximately one hour before HW Tilbury when it occurs in lock operating times. Exact lock opening times are dependent on Thames tide... Read More
Windsor Marina
Address: Maidenhead Road, Windsort, Berkshire, SL4 5TZ
Situated on the outskirts of Windsor on the south bank of River Thames. Includes Windsor Yacht Club as well as boat lifting and repair facilities,... Read More
Yacht Clubs
Related Businesses
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Address: Canvey Road, Canvey Island, Essex, SS8 0QT
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Address: 1 Northey Street, Limehouse Basin, London, E14 8BT
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Gravesend Sailing Club
Address: Promenade East, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 2RN
Deepwater and drying moorings, clubhouse, toilets, showers, visitor’s mooring.... Read More
Greenwich Yacht Club
Address: Peartree Wharf, 1Peartree Way, Greenwich, London, SE10 0BW
Deepwater moorings for boats up to 12m, clubhouse, toilets, showers, slipway, boatyard for DIY maintenance. Call for the possibility of a visitor’s mooring.... Read More
Hurlingham Yacht Club
Address: 43a Deodar Road, London, SW15 2NP
Island Yacht Club – London & The River Thames
Address: The Clubhouse, Point Road, Canvey Island, SS8 7TX
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Little Ship Club
Address: Bell Wharf Lane, Upper Thames Street, London, EC4R 3TB
Thames Estuary Yacht Club
Address: 3 The Leas, Westcliff-on-Sea, SS0 7ST
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Windsor Yacht Club
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