I was forced here yesterday, a couple of days earlier than intended by the temporary closure of Rye (qv), resulting in a 42M passage in an increasing wind.

The outer harbour (see chart - it may not be what you think) dries and I was obliged to enter on a falling tide. I ground to a halt within a few yards of the only visitors' buoy (white, close to the entrance, dries 3m) and picked it up later in the evening when I floated off again. The buoy rope was badly frayed and unusable but I replaced it (to thanks but no reduction in the £25 mooring fee). The harbour is open to the SE, so probably uncomfortably, even untenable, in a wind from that quarter. Steph, in the office was very helpful.

Pleasant walk up The Old High Street and lunch in the aptly named, busy and pleasant Steep Street café.

Off to Dover.

No changes

The situation here has not improved since we last wrote in 2016. They are all very excited about the shoreside development but nothing is being spent on the harbour for anything bigger than a paddle board

These notes were reviewed by Don in March 2016. I had a long chat with this harbour and they do intend to improve things here; but, for the moment, it remains just somewhere to hide from unexpected westerlies and not a place for a planned visit.

These notes were updated April 2014. There have been no significant improvements to the habour

The notes on Folkestone harbour were reviewed & updated by Don T on the 14th March 2013. There are no changes effecting cruising yachtsmen; developement plans appear to be centred on the seafront and do not include any mention of a marina.

The latest local Folkestone Notices to Mariners may be found at :
http://www.folkestoneharbour.com/pages/harbour.html