Sailing the North Sea & English Channel (Germany, Netherlands, Belgium & France) - Digital Cruising Guide

Our honest, place-by-place cruising guide to 26 harbors and marinas along the North Sea and English Channel – from Kiel through the Kiel Canal, the German islands and the Dutch Standing Mast Route, past Belgium and along the French coast to Camaret-sur-Mer in Brittany. ⛵️

This guide is your no-nonsense digital co-captain. Written from the firsthand perspective of the Sail & Doxie crew, it gives you the honest facts you actually want to safely and enjoyably navigate these historic, tide-swept waters.

We have personally documented everything from the charm of the German islands and the scenic stretches of the Standing Mast Route in the Netherlands to the beautiful French villages and historic sites along the coast. Every stop features our detailed, unfiltered review covering actual costs, local restaurants, provisioning, crucial logistics (including whether the place is dog-friendly), and firsthand notes on tides, currents and locks where they matter.

What’s Inside:

• The German Islands & Dutch Waterways: The Kiel Canal, the scenic charm of the German islands, and the beautiful Standing Mast Route (Staande Mast Route) through Friesland to the IJsselmeer.
• Belgium & the French Channel coast: Big tidal ranges, lock- and sill-gated harbors, and beautiful French villages and historic sites along the coast.
• Honest scores: An overall score out of 5 for every stop, plus our docking experience and what to watch out for.
• Insider Food Spots: Restaurants, bars and cafés we can recommend and don't recommend.

What each entry includes

• Quick facts: price per night, depth, protection, berthing, assistance, fuel, facilities, Wi-Fi and provisioning.
• Dog-friendliness: walks, beaches and how easy it was with a dog on board.
• Our experience & good to know: honest tips on arriving, tides, locks and what we wish we'd known.
• Food & surroundings, an overall score out of 5, and a link to our YouTube video from the area.

The 26 places, east to west

• Germany: Kiel-Holtenau, Rendsburg, Brunsbüttel, Cuxhaven, Helgoland, Langeoog, Borkum.
• The Netherlands: Lauwersoog, Dokkum, Leeuwarden, Sneek, Enkhuizen, Den Helder, IJmuiden, Scheveningen.
• Belgium: Blankenberge.
• France: Dunkerque, Calais, Boulogne-sur-Mer, Dieppe, Cherbourg, Barneville-Carteret, Lézardrieux, Roscoff, L’Aber Wrac’h, Camaret-sur-Mer.

Specifications & Delivery

• Format: Two versions of the guide, both included: an interactive Google My Maps guide and the full PDF guide (63 pages). The map is best on a laptop or tablet, and it also works on your phone.
• Instant delivery: Right after purchase you get an email and a download page with (1) the link to the interactive map and (2) the full PDF guide. Nothing is shipped.
• Interactive map: Opens in any web browser – no Google account needed. To use it in the Google Maps app, sign in with any Google account (you can create one with any email address). The map needs an internet connection.
• PDF guide: 63 pages covering all 26 places. Download it to your phone, tablet or laptop – it works offline and can be printed.
• Language: English.

Sustainability

Zero Paper for Cleaner Oceans 🌊
By choosing a digital guide over a heavy paper book, we save trees, eliminate shipping emissions, and keep unnecessary waste out of our oceans. Thank you for making a thoughtful, eco-friendly choice for your ship's library!

FAQ

Do I need a Google account?
No. The map link opens in any web browser without signing in, and the PDF needs no account at all. A Google account (free, can be created with any email address) is only needed if you want to use the map inside the Google Maps app.

How do I open it on my phone?
Simply open the map link in your phone's browser. Or, to use the Google Maps app: sign in with a Google account, open the map link once, and you'll then find the guide in the app under You (Saved) → Maps.

Does it work offline?
The PDF guide works fully offline. The interactive map needs an internet connection.

When do I get it?
Instantly – right after purchase, by email and on the download page.

Is it for navigation?
No. The guide is a planning companion based on our own experience. Always use official charts, pilot books and local notices for navigation.

Questions?
Email us at sailanddoxie@gmail.com – we're happy to help.