London & The River Thames - 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