Why the shortest Channel crossing was not the best naval approach

Would landing at the Pas-de-Calais have been better because of its shorter logistics route and lack of bocage?

No. Its stronger defences and confined waters outweighed the shorter crossing, while Normandy gave the invasion fleet space to organize and manoeuvre.

A shorter transit reduces sailing distance but also compresses the fleet into confined, heavily defended waters. Normandy provided room to organize convoy lanes, sort landing groups, and manoeuvre naval forces before the beaches. Landing at Calais would also give German formations more space beyond the coast from which to converge on the lodgement.