Atlantic · Brittany and the Channel Islands
Cabin Charter in Brittany: Sailing Trips to the Channel Islands
Granite coastline, strong tides and small harbours: in Brittany you sail between Saint-Malo, Brest and the Gulf of Morbihan, and in the north you can cross over to Guernsey, Jersey and Sark. You book a berth and sail with a skipper.
Updated: 10 November 2026 · Redaktion toernfinder.de
from 9 providers compared
The essentials at a glance
Season
March to September, most dates in April and May
Duration
Usually one week, longer legs also available
Most common departure ports
Le Crouesty, Brest, Vannes, Cherbourg and Camaret-sur-Mer
Requirements
No sailing licence required
Week-long trip per person
usually 1,350–1,550 €
Current trips in Brittany and the Channel Islands
Here you can see all current trips starting in Brittany, on the Normandy coast or in the Channel Islands. Your enquiry goes directly to the provider.
Sailing in Brittany: the sailing area
Brittany is a tidal sailing area on the Atlantic. The coastline is rugged, with many islands, river estuaries and sheltered harbours.
- North coast and Channel Islands: From Saint-Malo or Cherbourg, Jersey, Guernsey, Sark and Alderney are only a day's sail away.
- Western tip: Brest and Camaret-sur-Mer lie on the edge of the open Atlantic. The islands of Ouessant and Sein lie off the coast.
- South coast: The Gulf of Morbihan, with La Trinité-sur-Mer and Port du Crouesty, is more sheltered, with many islands and short distances.
Some trips are legs on the way through the English Channel or into the Bay of Biscay. For an overview of all French sailing areas, see Sailing in France.
How strong are the tides in Brittany?
Very strong. In the Bay of Saint-Malo, the water rises and falls by more than ten metres at spring tide. Strong currents run between the islands.
The skipper plans each leg according to the tide tables and the tidal stream, and you can only reach some harbours at high water, over a sill. For cabin charter guests, this means that departure times change every day. The article explains how tidal range and tidal streams work Tides when sailing.
Harbours in Brittany and on the Channel coast
The table below shows where the trips start. Many harbours have profiles with directions and tips.
Saint-MaloWalled old town, close to the Channel IslandsHarbour profile →
CherbourgLarge harbour in Normandy, opposite AlderneyHarbour profile →
BrestAt the western tip of BrittanyHarbour profile →
Camaret-sur-MerSmall harbour on the Crozon peninsulaHarbour profile →
La Trinité-sur-MerSailing hotspot on the south coastHarbour profile →
Port du CrouestyAt the entrance to the Gulf of MorbihanHarbour profile →
Törnfinder data
Brittany sailing trips in numbers
Analysed: all sailing trips in Brittany and the Channel Islands published on Törnfinder. As of: 12.11.2026.
Most common departure ports
- 1Le Crouesty6 trips
- 2Brest6 trips
- 3Vannes3 trips
- 4Cherbourg2 trips
- 5Camaret-sur-Mer1 trip
55 %of trips last 7–8 days
30 %are round trips, start and finish in the same port
20 %take place on a traditional ship or tall ship
7different departure ports
11countries on offer, led by France and Guernsey
250 nmcovered by a typical week-long trip
As of 12.11.2026: Törnfinder lists around 20 Brittany and the Channel Islands trips from 9 providers. 55 % last 7–8 days and 20 % take place on a traditional ship or tall ship. Most trips start in Le Crouesty, Brest and Vannes, and most departures are in April and May. A week-long trip usually costs 1,350–1,550 € per person.
How these figures are calculated
The analysis covers all sailing trips published on Törnfinder that start in Brittany, on the Channel coast of Normandy or in the Channel Islands, with a start date from today onwards; the figures are recalculated twice a day. Prices are the providers' figures per person; private yacht charter with skipper offers, which are priced per boat, are not included in the prices. “Most” refers to the middle half of the offers, leaving out the cheapest and the most expensive quarters. The departure harbour is the port of departure named in the listing, and a round trip is a sailing trip with the same departure and destination harbour. The texts on this page are written and checked by the editorial team of toernfinder.de.
Best time for a sailing trip in Brittany
The sailing season runs from March to September, and many sailing trips start as early as spring. July and August are the warmest months, while in spring and autumn it often blows hard.
When the trips start
Most Brittany and the Channel Islands trips start in April and May. Trips are available from March to September.
2
Mar5
Apr7
May3
Jun0
Jul2
Aug1
SepAll sailing trips in Brittany and the Channel Islands published on Törnfinder for the next twelve months. As of: 12.11.2026.
What does a sailing trip in Brittany cost?
Most common are week-long trips, usually 1,350–1,550 € per person, with a day on board costing around 160 € on average. From Germany, you can easily reach Brittany by train or car, and there are flights to Brest and Rennes, for example.
| Trip duration | Price per person (usually) | per day | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7–9 days, week-long trip | 1,350–1,550 € | around 190 € | 11 |
| 10–15 days | 1,150–1,750 € | around 130 € | 6 |
"Usually" means: the middle half of all offers falls within this range; the cheapest and most expensive quarters are not included. Click on the duration to see the corresponding trips.
On top of the trip price come travel costs and usually the ship's kitty for food, harbour fees and diesel. The box shows what typically belongs in it.
What's included in the price and what goes into the crew kitty
Included in the trip price
- Your bunk on board
- The vessel
- The skipper
Usually via the crew kitty
- Food
- Hafengeld
- Diesel
Usually around 150–300 € per person per week, depending on what the group agrees, for example whether restaurant visits are included. On some boats, meals are already included in the price.
It is best to clarify in advance with the provider exactly what is included.
Also nearby
Many of these trips also call at these countries. Each card shows all trips there.
Guernsey
13 trips
next departure 27.03.2027
week usually 1,350–1,550 € per person
Show trips →Jersey
12 trips
next departure 27.03.2027
week usually 1,350–1,550 € per person
Show trips →the United Kingdom
88 trips
next departure 16.11.2026
week usually 1,050–2,600 € per person
Show trips →Popular trip types
Besides classic crew trips, these trip types are offered most often here.
Mileage-building
3 trips
Long passages with night sailing, many miles in a short time.
next departure 18.04.2027
from 590 € per person
Show trips →Sail training
2 trips
Learn to sail on board, from the basics to the exam trip.
next departure 19.06.2027
week from 1,550 € per person
Show trips →Skipper training
2 trips
Be the skipper yourself, with an experienced trainer on board.
next departure 08.08.2027
from 650 € per person
Show trips →Frequently asked questions about sailing in Brittany
Short answers to the questions that come up most often before a sailing trip in Brittany.
Is Brittany a good sailing area?
Yes, for anyone who enjoys tides and changeable weather. The coastline is varied, the harbours are small and the legs to the Channel Islands are short.
Can you sail from Brittany to the Channel Islands?
Yes. It is around 40 nautical miles from Saint-Malo to Jersey, and about 25 from Cherbourg to Alderney. The islands belong to the British Crown but not to the EU. Check with the provider in advance which documents you need to enter; a passport is the safe option.
How strong are the tides?
In the Bay of Saint-Malo the tidal range at spring tide is over ten metres. The skipper plans the legs around the tidal stream.
When is the best time for a sailing trip in Brittany?
From June to September. The days are long then and the weather is at its most settled.
What does a sailing trip in Brittany cost?
Most common are week-long trips, usually 1,350–1,550 € per person. Travel and the onboard kitty come on top, usually around 150–300 € per person per week.
Do I need sailing experience?
For a cabin charter, nothing – the skipper runs the boat. Because of the current and swell, though, you should expect cool, wet weather and waves.
Find your sailing trip in Brittany
Use the filter to search by date, duration and boat type, and send your enquiry directly to the provider.