Guernsey’s visitor marina has been awarded four ‘Gold Anchors’, an internationally recognised seal of approval that recognises Guernsey as a prime location for visiting yacht crews.
The Gold Anchor award scheme, run by The Yacht Harbour Association (TYHA), sets a global benchmark for marina standards. The scheme awards ‘Anchors’ in a similar way to the allocation of ‘Stars’ for hotels.
Following a recent independent assessment by TYHA, the Victoria Marina scored particularly highly for its customer service, visitor feedback, and prime location in the heart of St Peter Port. Customer feedback scores were amongst the highest in the region.
Although narrowly missing the top ‘Five Gold Anchor’ rating, assessors praised the marina team’s exceptional dedication to the visitor experience.
Kieran Higgs, Assistant Harbour Master (Leisure), said: “The Gold Anchor accreditation provides important insight into how our services stack up against international competition.
“We have placed real emphasis on the visitor experience in recent years, from the moment a yacht crew is guided to their berth to the moment they leave our island. This recognition reflects the hard work and passion of our small but fantastic team, and our ongoing commitment to ensuring every visitor enjoys their stay.”
Assessors praised the marina’s central location, easy access to marine services, and proximity to Guernsey’s vibrant cafés and restaurants. Despite a general decline in leisure boating across Western Europe, visiting yacht numbers to Guernsey have remained buoyant with around 20,000 people visiting St Peter Port in 2025, generally for longer stays.
“This year we have seen more yachts choose Guernsey as their destination of choice rather than just for a short stopover,” added Mr Higgs. “Our seafront setting and unrivalled access to excellent cruising grounds make Guernsey a perfect base for visiting yacht crews.”
