Calais to Dover Ferry Weather Conditions
🔴 Live weather Calais to Dover
The Calais-Dover route is the shortest ferry crossing between France and the UK, taking around 90 minutes. Weather conditions in the English Channel can affect sailings, especially during high winds or rough seas. The vessels are strong, modern and can take on heavy storms though. Cancellations are pretty rare. There are three companies you can sail with.
Delays at Calais or Dover port today
Here you can find the travel update sections of the ferry companies on this route:
If you see a large storm coming and want to be sure you can cancel easily, Be sure to book flexible tickets. Those tickets are available at all ferry operators crossing the Channel. These ships are strong/large ships, meaning they can take rough weather.
Wave Forecast
Wave heights in the Strait of Dover typically range from 0.5 to 1.5 meters but can exceed 3 meters during storms, causing increased motion on board.
Use our Seasickness Indicator to check the effect of waves on your crossing. For the Calais-Dover route, insert ‘2 hours’.
Wind Forecast
Strong winds from the west or southwest are common in the Channel. Wind speeds above 25 knots can create rougher conditions, with gusts over 40 knots during storms.
Rain and Storm Forecast
Rain is frequent, particularly from October to March. Storm systems can bring heavy rain, strong winds, and reduced visibility, affecting ferry schedules.
5-Day Weather Forecast
Calais Weather Forecast
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Dover Weather Forecast
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Other Channel Ferry routes we Track with on Ferryweather.com:
On average, the Calais–Dover ferry is cancelled 10–15 times per year due to weather. Most cancellations occur between November and February during strong English Channel winds and/or large storms.
January is usually the windiest month, with average wind speeds around 28 km/h and gusts frequently reaching 50 km/h or more.
Winter ~27 km/h (15 knots) Southwest 2.3-3.0 meters – 7-9°C
Spring ~23 km/h (12 knots) Southwest 1.5-2.5 meters – 10-12°C
Summer ~20 km/h (11 knots) Northeast 0.5-1.5 meters – 15-17°C
Autumn ~25 km/h (14 knots) Southwest 1.5-2.5 meters – 12-15°C
No. Each company (P&O, DFDS, Irish Ferries) uses its risk assessment, ship specifications, and crew decisions. One operator can cancel while another continues service. Also, modern and larger ferries can more easily withstand storms.
You’re usually offered a transfer or refund to the next available sailing. During severe disruptions, delays at the port can be several hours, and onboard space may be limited. Remember that booking more flexible tickets might help you avoid fees when rebooking or cancelling your tickets. All operators on these routes offer this kind of ticket.
⛈️ Calais to Dover Cancellations and Storm Gossip
How was your experience with stormy weather on this route? Feel free to ask us questions here!
Do they cancel with waves being 4m?