Falmouth 2, St. Mawes, Percuil River
At a Glance
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St.Mawes is a bit off the main holiday track, and
.....is not overdeveloped or commercialised. It was once a fishing village, and enjoys a particularly mild climate. All day-to-day needs can be met ashore here, and from the sailor's point of view it offers a good protected anchorage (and some moorings) when the wind is from the easterly quadrant.
For the shallow draught boat or bilge keeler prepared to take the ground, the Percuil River offers an interesting cruising area away from the crowds. The River winds inland as far as Percuil, drying out to a large extent. The intrepid explorer needs to take care not to wander into the oyster beds.
Other Falmouth coverage which can be reached via the links below or the Channel West link on the left of this page
Falmouth 1, approach, entry, Inner Harbour, Penryn River
Falmouth 3, Carrick roads, as far as Restronguet Creek, including Mylor and its Marina
Falmouth 4, The Upper Reaches as far as Truro
Falmouth 2, St. Mawes, Percuil River
Approach
Once the Castle Buoy (Green Fl.G.2.5s) has been identified
.......an easterly/north-easterly course is set. Be sure to identify the yellow and black St.Mawes southerly cardinal buoy, (Q (6)+L Fl 15s), as this marks the only danger in the entrance, Lugo Rock with 0.6 m at LAT. This must be left on your port side as you enter. Follow a central track up the river, and the small drying harbour of St Mawes will be seen to port on the northern shore.
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Waypoint
Charts
Rules & Regs
Hazards
Tides
Berthing
Anchoring is possible on the north side of the inlet,
...... off the beach, keeping clear of the moorings and leaving a fairway for the small passenger ferries that ply between St. Mawes and Falmouth. On the South side of the entrance to St Mawes between Carricknath and Amsterdam Points, yachtsmen and motorboaters are asked to refrain from anchoring too close in, and this voluntary restriction is aimed at protecting an eelgrass bed, that extends outwards to a depth of 3 m. If you anchor in deeper waters there is no problem. There is a long Document about Environmental impact in the Fal Estuary with Codes of Practice etc and shows areas in which anchoring is not encouraged.
Environmental Code of Practice | St Mawes Harbour
The area within the pecked lines shown on the chart comes under the jurisdiction of the St Mawes Pier and Harbour company, their office is on the Town Quay, telephone 01326 270553. A listening watch is kept on VHF channel 16, with working traffic on Channel 12, callsign " St Mawes Harbour Radio". The harbour master is often afloat in his RIB, and will assist and advise. He will also relieve you of 50 p per metre/per night anchoring charge. The harbour office maintains 28 visitors moorings, these are green buoys, marked St Mawes and located off the Quay. The charges per day range from £20 for a 10m boat to £35 for a 12 t0 15m boat (15 m maximum). You need to email or phone to book one of these moorings.
You can come alongside the pier but it will cost you £8.00 per hour for a 5 to 8 metre boat and more for a 10 m boat.
http://www.stmawesharbour.co.uk/
If anchoring keep well clear of the moorings and the fairway. Land by dinghy on the large slipway or beach. The St Mawes town Anchorage area is well protected in Easterlys, but very exposed to the Southwest quadrant. In these winds shelter can be sought up the Percuil River, past Amsterdam Point. The River is crowded with local moorings and it may be difficult to find a spot to lay yours. Shallow draught craft can follow the river inland with the deeper water being indicated by the line of the moorings, obviously best done on a rising tide. Above Polvarth Point, there are oyster beds on either side of the river which are marked by withies, vessels must not anchor or dry out in the marked areas. It is an ideal area for an exploratory mission in the dinghy.
It should be noted that St Mawes has applied for more powers to controlling the use of boats within their harbour limits.
Marinas and Mooring
Mylor Yacht Harbour Ltd
Mylor Yacht Harbour, Falmouth, Cornwall. TR11 5UF
Milford Marina Harbour Authority
Cleddau House, Milford Marina, Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, SA73 3AF
Premier Marinas (Falmouth) Ltd
Marina House, North Parade, Falmouth, Cornwall. TR11 2TD
Falmouth Harbour Commissioners
44 Arwenack St, Falmouth, Cornwall. TR11 3JQ
Facilities
Boats can water up alongside the quay by making arrangements with the harbour master, alternatively water can be lugged in jerry cans from a tap on the quay near Lloyds Bank, and dinghied out.
As far as we know diesel and gas are not obtainable, but it is not far to nip across to Falmouth if these items are required. Repairs, spares, chandlery etc are all at Falmouth.
The village of St Mawes has a reasonable choice of shops including a Co-op food store, Butcher, Baker, delicatessen, and chemist. There is a cash machine at Barclays bank.
St Mawes Sailing club is above the Quay, and visitors may use the bar and showers. They are on 01326 270686, links to websites below.
For Boat Launching and Recovery, try The Freshwater Boatyard, Freshwater Lane, St Mawes telephone 01326 270443, or at the main Harbour slipway St Mawes. This has access at half the tidal range and consists of a steep concrete ramp. Charges are from £4-£9, depending on the length of boat.
Boatyards & Boatyard Services
James Wharram Designs
Greenbank Road, Devoran, Truro, Cornwall. TR3 6PJ
Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding Ltd
Tregatreath, Mylor Creek, Cornwall. TR11 5NS
Freshwater Boatyard Ltd
Freshwater Lane, St. Mawes, Truro, Cornwall. TR2 5AR
LP Architecture & Yacht Design Ltd
13 Erisey Terrace, Penmenna House, Falmouth, Cornwall. TR11 2AP
Rustler Yachts Ltd
Maritime Buildings, Falmouth Road, Falmouth, Cornwall. TR10 8AD
Challenger Marine Ltd
Freemans Wharf, Falmouth Road, Penryn, Cornwall. TR10 8AD
Falmouth Boat Construction
Little Falmouth, Flushing, Cornwall. TR11 5TJ
Gaffers & Luggers Ltd
Tregatreath Yacht Yard, Six Turnings, Mylor Creek, Falmouth, Cornwall. TR11 5NS
Chandlers
Mylor Chandlery & Rigging
Mylor Yacht Harbour, Mylor, Falmouth, Cornwall. TR11 3DQ
Fal Chandlers
Falmouth Yacht Marina, North Parade, Falmouth, Cornwall. TR11 2TD
What to Do
As well as the cafes and pubs, you will find several of the hotels have restaurants that are open to nonresidents.
There is also the obligatory fish and chip shop, The Jolly Sailor Takeaway.
For more ideas we've provided a couple of links below.
Eating Out, St Mawes
http://www.eatoutcornwall.com/restaurants/st-mawes/
Much useful information about St.Mawes
http://www.stmawes.info/
Yacht Clubs and Associations
History
The town takes its name from the Celtic saint Maudez (Mawe), who may have come from Ireland.
St Mawes Castle is a well-preserved coastal fortress from the time of Henry VIII, built to counter the invasion threat from the Continent.
The Agatha Christie film Murder Ahoy was filmed here.
The text on this HISTORY page is covered by the following
licence
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Text_of_the_GNU_Free_Documentation_License
Local Business
Brokers/New Boat Sales
Ancasta International (Cornwall)
Falmouth Yacht Marina, North Parade, Falmouth, Cornwall. TR11 2TD
Red Ensign Marine Ltd,
The Offices, Port Pendennis Marina, Challenger Quay, Falmouth, Cornwall. TR11 3YL
FBC Yacht Sales
Little Falmouth, Flushing, Falmouth, Cornwall. TR11 5TJ
Norman Pearn & Company Ltd
Millpool Boatyard, Looe, Cornwall. PL13 2AE
Macgregor Yachts International Ltd
Ponsharden, Falmouth, Cornwall. TR11 2SE
Boat Charters
Portway Yacht Charters/Trysail.net
Falmouth Yacht Marina, North Parade, Falmouth, Cornwall. TR11 2TD
Sailaway St Anthony Ltd
St Anthony, Manaccan, Helston, Cornwall. TR12 6JW
Trysail Sailing Charters
Falmouth Yacht Marina, North Parade, Falmouth, Cornwall. TR11 2TD
Moet Skippered Powerboat Charter
Gwel An Porth, Harbour Terrace, Falmouth, Cornwall. TR11 2AW
Zuza Expeditions Ltd
Little Falmouth House, Little Falmouth, Flushing, Falmouth, Cornwall. TR11 5TJ
Divers/Diving and related services
Sea-Wide Services
Falmouth Wharves, North Parade, Falmouth, Cornwall. TR11 2TD
Falmouth Marine Divers Ltd
Tidal House, Commercial Road, Penryn, Cornwall. TR10 8AL
Marine Engineering
Marine Electrics/Electronics
Outboard Sales and Service
Sea Schools
B.A.T.S. ( Blind At Sea)
Sailing Club For The Blind, 1 Vernon Place, Falmouth, Cornwall. TR11 3BE
Elemental UK Swanpool
Swanpool Beach, Swanpool, Falmouth, Cornwall. TR11 5BG
Falmouth School of Sailing
The Boat Park, Grove Place, Falmouth, Cornwall. TR11 4AU
Falmouth Sail Training Ship Hardiesse
Basement, 9 Frankland Close, Swanvale, Falmouth, Cornwall. TR11 4AE
Falmouth/Penryn AE Centre
Tregenver, Tregenver Road, Falmouth, Cornwall. TR11 2QW
Windsport International
Churchtown Farm, Mylor Harbour, Falmouth, Cornwall. TR11 5UF
Mylor Sailing School & Yacht Club
Mylor Sailing School, Mylor Yacht Harbour, Mylor, Churchtown, Falmouth, Cornwall. TR11 5UF
Restronquet Sailing Club
Mylor Harbour, Mylor Churchtown, Falmouth, Cornwall. TR11 5UF
Eves Sailing School
Parton Vrane, Portscatho, Truro, Cornwall. TR2 5ET
Roseland Paddle & Sail
Percuil Boatyard, Portscatho, Truro, Cornwall. TR2 5ES
Roseland Outdoor Education Centre
St. Just In Roseland, Truro, Cornwall. TR2 5JA
Loe Beach Watersports Centre
Loe Beach, Feock, Truro, Cornwall. TR3 6SH
Seajay
10 Holywell Road, Playing Place, Truro, Cornwall. TR3 6EP
Stithians Lake - South west Lakes Trust
Stithians Lake, Menherion, Redruth, Cornwall. TR16 6NW
Falmouth Watersports Association
Boat Park, Grove Place, Falmouth, Cornwall. TR11 4NU
Truro College Watersports Centre
Tregye, Tregye Road, Carnon Downs, Truro, Cornwall. TR3 6JH
Sailmakers, Repair & Covers
Yacht Survey and Designs
David Cox Marine Surveyors & Consultants Ltd
Halvosso Farm, Mabe, Penryn, Cornwall. TR10 9BY
Jonathan Milton Boat Surveyor
Tregaire Barton Farm, Portscatho, Truro, Cornwall. TR2 5EP
Julian Pizey
The Copse, Tregye Road, Carnon Downs, Near Truro, Cornwall. TR3 6JH
Coastline Surveys Ltd
1 Marine House, Falmouth Marina, North Parade, Falmouth, Cornwall. TR11 2TD
Other-Businesses
Global Yacht Services
Office 6, Kern's House, Threemilestone Industrial Estate, Truro, Cornwall. TR4 9LD
Compass Adjusters
Marine Instruments, Upton Slip, Falmouth, Cornwall. TR11 3DQ
Tide Information for st-mawes
July 2026
Please note: It is the user's responsibility to ensure that the data is suitable for their intended purpose. VisitMyHarbour must not be used by vessels for navigation.