Guide for the Few

London, Arrive

The marina at St Katharine Docks

Central London's only marina, on the east side of Tower Bridge beside the Tower of London, with 185 berths in three basins behind a lock for yachts up to 40 metres.

St Katharine Docks Marina, Marina Reception, Unit C3, Ivory House, St Katharine Docks, London E1W 1AT

Boats on the pontoons in front of Ivory House

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 opens only from about 2 hours before to 1½ hours after high water at London Bridge, between 06:00 and 20:30 from April to October and 08:00 to 18:00 from November to March.12 Arriving by air instead, the London Heliport at Battersea is the way into the city by helicopter.

How to get it

Book through Marina Reception on +44 20 7264 5312 or marina.reception@skdocks.co.uk, open 09:00 to 17:00 every day subject to locking, or through the IGY Marinas berth request form.13 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 peak season (April to September) a berth costs £105 a night up to 8 metres, £435 a night from 16.1 to 20 metres, and is priced on application from 20 metres; prices include VAT, and catamarans pay double.4 Berthing is paid in advance; the marina is cashless and takes no American Express.25 A booking cancelled with less than two weeks' written notice is still charged in full.5 Chartering, filming or hosting from the boat needs the marina's written consent, and a gathering of six or more on board needs consent at least 7 days ahead and £5,000,000 of third-party insurance.54

Discretion

Pontoon gates and the marina washrooms open only with the access cards reception issues on arrival, and SKD Security Control answers 24 hours a day on +44 20 7264 5296.2 CCTV covers the marina.5 Drone photography is not permitted in the marina.2 The docks are public ground with restaurants around the basins, and crowds gather to watch the lock work, so a yacht here is seen.16

A pontoon in the marina, with classic boats alongside
A pontoon in the marina, with classic boats alongside
Sources
  1. Marina – St Katharine Docks | Central London's Only Marina. skdocks.co.uk, read 24 September 2026.
  2. Marina Guide 2026. skdocks.co.uk, read 24 September 2026.
  3. Reserve a Slip - IGY Marinas. igymarinas.com, read 24 September 2026.
  4. SKD Marina Tariff 2026. skdocks.co.uk, read 24 September 2026.
  5. St Katharine Docks Marina Conditions of Mooring. skdocks.co.uk, read 24 September 2026.
  6. Visit – St Katharine Docks | Central London's Only Marina. skdocks.co.uk, read 24 September 2026.

Last checked 24 September 2026, against the venue's own pages. The next check is due by 24 October 2026.