Sailing from Plymouth

Day Sailing & Anchorages

The waters around Plymouth are in many ways an undiscovered gem of the South-West. Whatever your boating interest, there's something on offer locally. We've put together a selection of some of our favourite lunchtime or overnight destinations as a starting point, and if you'd like more information, please just ask our Haven Team.

To help you find your way on the water, check out these local nautical charts - available to view in full screen (like a chart plotter) with zoomable interface - use them to plan your passages and find new anchorages. You can even take screenshots, and then print and laminate them for use in the cockpit.

Also, check out the local weather & tides before you set sail.

Around Plymouth Sound

Barn Pool:

Mount Edgcumbe

Providing good shelter from the S-SW, this attractive little bay nestles beneath the grandeur of the National Trust's Mount Edgcumbe Estate. Anchor close to the steeply shelving beach, from where it's a couple of minutes walk to the Edgcumbe Arms. A perfect lunch stop, only a couple of miles from Plymouth Yacht Haven, and a perfect place from which to observe the warships leaving and returning to the dockyard. It's worth setting an anchor trip line due to underwater obstructions.

Jennycliff:

If the wind is in the east, it's possible to tuck in under the sheer cliffs at Jennycliff, between Mountbatten Breakwater and Fort Bovisand. This is particularly useful when Cawsand is untenable.

Jennycliff

Cawsand Bay:

A popular anchorage with good holding and plenty of space, just off the twin villages of Kingsand and Cawsand. Sheltered in the prevailing winds, particularly the south-west, this can be a wonderful lunchtime or overnight stop. There's plenty of room to land on the beach and sample one of the several good pubs whilst admiring your boat. Although only a few miles from Plymouth Yacht Haven, this bay feels like a different part of the world, largely because it's tucked away on a peninsula and takes what seems like several days to travel to by road!

Kingsand and Cawsand

Exploring East of Plymouth

From Plymouth to Salcombe is an easy run of approximately 20nm. However, there are numerous anchorages and coves worthy of exploration beyond the River Yealm.

Cellar Bay:

Tucked just inside the mouth of the River Yealm, this secluded spot is a perfect swimming destination in settled weather. Deep keeled boats will need to check tide-tables and be aware of the sandbar in the river entrance, but this really is an ideal spot for a picnic. On a rising tide, it's great to follow a stop here with a meander up the creek at Noss Mayo, where you can tie up alongside the pub at high water and sample the delights of these pretty twin villages.

Stoke Beach:

Stoke Beach

At the western end of Bigbury Bay and approximately 3 miles to the east of the mouth of the River Yealm. With the wind in the north or west, a pretty and sheltered short stopover, and a popular yet uncrowded beach for swimming.

Mothecombe Beach:

Mothecombe Beach

Identified by the old tea-room, constructed by the owners of Flete in the last century for private picnics, Mothecombe Beach is privately owned by the Flete Estate, but is open to the public on certain days of the week. For more information, visit www.flete.co.uk. The estuary to the east and north of the beach dries at LW, but is a mecca for paddleboarding, kayaking and windsurfing, and can be explored upstream by dinghy for a couple of miles. The estuary is carefully managed as a haven for wildlife, and kingfishers, cormorants and herons are just some of the many species which may be spotted.

Mothecombe Beach and the River Erme:

Quite possibly one of the most unspoilt stretches of the Devon coastline, the mouth of the Erme is a beautiful location in settled conditions. There is limited depth inshore; it is possible to wade across the river from Mothecombe to Wonwell an hour either side of low tide. However, don't let this put you off as the wide expanse of flat sands are firm enough to dry out motor boats and bilge keelers, and in offshore winds, an anchorage can be found on the western side of the estuary mouth.

Wonwell Beach, eastern side of Erme River

Between the Erme and the River Avon, the cliffs are spectacular, backing onto mainly National Trust farmland. There are a small number of offlying rocks, so a large scale chart of the area is as ever, recommended. Another 3nm to the east will be found Burgh Island, which is always best passed to the south.

Burgh Island, the River Avon, and Bantham:

Burgh Island, from the west

Whilst on passage from Plymouth to Salcombe and beyond, Burgh Island tends to blend into the coastline, but in a small boat and settled weather, is well worth a closer look. Separated from the mainland by a tidal causeway and famous for its Art Deco style hotel, a favourite of Agatha Christie, this really is one of the gems of the South Devon coastline.

The entrance to the River Avon and Bantham is tidal, but well worth exploring, particularly a couple of hours before HW. A visit to the Sloop Inn at Bantham should never be passed over, but you'll need to dry your boat on the beach as there are no dedicated landing facilities.

Mouth of the Avon at LW, showing tidal causeway to Burgh Island

Please note that this information should only be used as an informal guide to destinations, and is not a substitute for recognized pilotage and navigational information.

Cruising Distances from Plymouth Yacht Haven

To the East:

To the West:

To the South: