Cruising Destinations

Ideal for a lunchtime or overnight stop, this popular anchorage is just off the twin villages of Kingsand and Cawsand on the Rame Peninsula, just west of Plymouth breakwater. It is sheltered from the prevailing winds but check the weather forecast because it’s not the place to be in an easterly. There is good anchorage with plenty of space in the bay and for landing on the beach, from where there is easy access to a number of local pubs and Mount Edgcumbe Country Park.

The 50-mile long River Tamar creates a natural boundary between Devon and Cornwall, stretching right the way across from the Plymouth Sound to just short of Bude on the north Cornish coast. The river merges with the rivers Tavy, Plym and Lynher at the estuary to create a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Home to rare birds, butterflies, lichen and orchids, the estuary provides stunning scenic views from the water. On the Devon side of the Tamar sits the historic Devonport Dockyards, and on the Cornwall side are the fishing villages of Cawsand and Kingsand and the Mount Edgcumbe House and Country Park. Winding its way inland, The River Tamar passes through Saltash, Cargreen and Calstock and offers several anchoring and mooring opportunities for deep craft. The RYA’s Guide to the River Tamar provides pilotage notes, pictures and information on exploring the Tamar including visitor moorings, historical sites and places of interest.

‘The Jewel of the South Hams’, Dartmouth is a busy leisure port, also home to the Britannia Royal Naval College. The port has 24 hour access, plenty of moorings and is easy to enter; making it an attractive destination for stopovers while exploring the South Devon coast. The town’s ancient narrow streets and cobbled market place are home to boutique shops, art galleries, restaurants, pubs and cafés, and the River Dart can be followed for eight miles inland, through the surrounding countryside and woodland. One of the annual highlights in Dartmouth is the Dartmouth Regatta; a weekend of sailing, rowing, fireworks and air displays from the Red Arrows. Taking place every August it’s a must see if you’re in the area.

The charming harbour town of Fowey on the south coast of Cornwall is the ideal place for boat owners to explore the county. Sitting at the mouth of the River Fowey, Fowey Harbour is a commercial port as well as a popular destination for leisure craft, with much of the marine traffic coming from the export of local China Clay. The harbour enjoys 24 hour access, although leisure craft should keep clear of the busy deep water channels, which are in constant use by commercial vessels that are restricted in ability to manoeuvre. Visitors to Fowey Harbour can enjoy a wide range of facilities as well as two yacht clubs – The Royal Fowey Yacht Club on the Fowey shore, 100 metres south of the Town Quay, and The Fowey Gallants Sailing Club, 100 metres north of Albert Quay. The town has an excellent range of shops, galleries, pubs and restaurants, with plenty of opportunities for stocking up on provisions. The fishing village of Polruan lies on the opposite bank and is accessible from Fowey by passenger ferry.

Helford River, just to the south of Falmouth, is a tranquil ria stretching from the outer edge of Falmouth Bay up to the old trading port of Gweek. The river is part of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty surrounded by ancient woodland, hidden creeks and is a Voluntary Marine Conservation Area, home to a commercial oyster fishery and designated bass nursery area with restrictions on fishing. On the south bank of the river is Helford Village, which is home to the Helford River Sailing Club and waterside pub the Shipwright’s Arms. Helford Passage sits opposite on the north bank, with a safe sandy beach, shop and family pub, the Ferry Boat Inn. The two villages are linked by a passenger ferry, which has been running for more than 300 years. The entrance to the river is about a mile and a half across with easy entry. The Helford River is sheltered from most winds, apart from strong easterlies which can cause the swell to reach as far up the river as Frenchman’s Creek. There is a 6 knot speed limit with minimal wash, to avoid disturbing the marine life.

Lying approximately 28 miles west south west of Land’s End, the archipelago of the Isles of Scilly is a tropical paradise that feels worlds away from mainland Britain. Made up of five inhabited islands and many more uninhabited rocky islets, the Isles of Scilly boast miles of sandy beaches, rare wildlife and plantlife. The entire archipelago is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The largest inhabited island, St Mary’s, is home to the harbour which has plenty of good anchorages, as well as marine services, shops, hotels, cafes and restaurants. There are a large number of rocks and shallows, and the weather can be unpredictable and change quickly. Tresco, the second largest island, is privately owned and is home to the famous Tresco Abbey Gardens, the Tresco Saling Club and a leisure spa. St Martin’s has some of the best beaches of all the islands, despite only being two miles long. Churchtown Flowers is based on the island growing scented narcissi and pinks. Tours are available of the St Martin’s Vineyard. St Agnes is an unspoilt wildlife haven, with wild flowers, butterflies and migrating birds, a stunning sandbank linking with neighbouring Gugh, and has the UK’s most south westerly pub, the Turk’s Head. The smallest of the inhabited islands, Bryher, is wild and rugged, with rocky coves, sandy beaches and granite hills.