The marina at St Katharine Docks

Why it is on the list

It is the one place in central London where a yacht comes up the Thames and ties up next to the Tower of London and Tower Bridge.¹ The pontoons were rebuilt in 2017 into 185 berths across three basins, taking vessels up to 40 metres, and IGY Marinas has run the marina since February 2020.¹ The Yacht Harbour Association rates it 5 Gold Anchor, and SKD Security Control is staffed 24 hours a day.²

It is the wrong choice for a yacht over 40 metres, or for anyone who cannot wait on the tide: the lock works only from 2 hours before to 1½ hours after high water at London Bridge, and only between 06:00 and 20:30 from April to October and 08:00 to 18:00 from November to March.¹²

How to get it

Book with the berth form on the marina's page, or write to Marina Reception at marina.reception@skdocks.co.uk or call +44 20 7264 5312; reception is open 09:00 to 17:00 every day, subject to locking.¹ The form asks for arrival and departure dates and the boat's length, beam and draft.¹ Ask for a visitor berth and your lock-in time; the lock times for each month are published ahead, and the dockmasters work VHF Channel 80, call sign "St Katharine's".¹ Before leaving, book a lock-out time with reception the day before; departures are grouped to fit the tide, so the time asked for may move.²

In the 2026 tariff a berth from April to September costs GBP 105 a night up to 8 metres and GBP 435 a night from 16.1 to under 20 metres; from October to March the same berths cost GBP 84 and GBP 305 a night.³ Weekly and monthly rates are lower per night (GBP 1,750 a week or GBP 4,880 a month in peak season at 16.1 to 20 metres), and 20 metres and over is priced on application.³ Prices include VAT at 20%; electricity is metered on top, a voluntary GBP 1 carbon contribution is added to each stay unless refused, and catamarans pay double and need the next berth free.³ For the winter, three months booked gives a fourth free, and two or more boats booking together are discounted.³ Berthing is paid in advance, by card or bank transfer; the marina is cashless and takes no American Express.⁴² Cancelling takes at least two weeks' written notice before the first night, and the unpaid mooring charges stay payable even then.⁴ Every boat must carry at least GBP 5,000,000 of third-party insurance.⁴ Chartering or filming from the boat needs the marina's written consent and a 25% surcharge, and a gathering of six or more on board needs written consent at least 7 days ahead.⁴³

Discretion

The docks are public ground with restaurants around the basins, and crowds gather to watch the lock work, so a yacht here is seen.¹⁵ Pontoon gates and the marina washrooms open only with the access cards reception issues on arrival, SKD Security Control answers 24 hours a day on +44 20 7264 5296, and CCTV covers the marina.²⁴ Drone photography is not permitted in the marina.² For a private evening the marina hires its floating Clubhouse, with a terrace and roof garden, for 10 at dinner, and a floating event pontoon under a tent, normally in the Centre Basin and movable, for 90 at dinner or 100 standing; security and catering can be arranged.⁶¹ Ask marina.reception@skdocks.co.uk what it costs to take the pontoon or the Clubhouse, and for a site visit before deciding.⁶