For many approaching from the Solent or from Poole, Dartmouth will be the first port of call in the West Country. In many ways it gives a taste of what is to come with steep to shoreline, plenty of deep water and interesting historic towns. The Royal Naval College overlooks the harbour, and often warships visit with much activity in the immediate area.

The harbour is extremely attractive, well sheltered and easy to enter. Day or night at any state of the tide, and in nearly any weather conditions Dartmouth is safe to enter, and is well worthy of the title " harbour of refuge". There is plenty of room to accommodate super yachts and heavyweight levithians, whilst shallower draft craft can make their way up the River Dart as far as Totnes. ... read more

From seaward the entrance to Dartmouth is not obvious until much closer in. There is a very conspicuous daymark on the Hill to the East of the entrance, a drawing of which is on the chart. It stands 24 m tall on the 170 m hill, and is easy to pick out. The Mewstone Rock lying off Outer Froward point can easily be picked out when approaching from the West, but perhaps it's not so easy to see when you are approaching from the South.

Much will be made clear by looking at our satellite image/chart combination, click here.

When approaching from the East keep a good offing to clear the Eastern Blackstone, and The Mewstone (marked by the "Mewstone" southerly Cardinal buoy (VQ(6)+LFl.10s)). Further dangers run parallel to the shore...The Cat Stone and The Verticals, and these are marked by another southerly Cardinal buoy "West Rock" (Q(6)+LFl.15s). These dangers and their associated buoyage need to be left well to starboard in the approach as sometimes the tide can set onto them. Next identify and leave to starboard the green conical "Castle Ledge" buoy (Fl.G.5s). Do not approach the western shore at Blackstone Point as the unlit Western Blackstone rocks lay about a cable off, instead make your turn as soon as you pass Castle Ledge.  It is worth noting that the Castle Ledge buoy marks the limits of the Dartmouth harbour authorities area, and from now on there is a strictly enforced 6 kn speed limit.  More pilotage details: ... read more

The harbour authorities provide plenty of mooring buoys and pontoons for visiting yachtsmen and motorboaters, but if you care to anchor off the town you must do so in the area east of the heavy ship moorings that are laid in the middle of the channel.

The ground chains for these moorings are shown on the charts and you will need to keep your tackle well clear of them or you will risk an embarrassing snarl up. The town is a dinghy ride across and the harbour charges are 65p per metre per day. The authorities are uncomfortable with boats being left unattended other than for very short periods, and it is essential to be on board at the turn of the tide. Anchor shapes and lights are required, as plenty of local vessels work in and out of the moorings. Wind against tide together with varying sizes, drafts and scopes of vessels anchored in close proximity will lead to anchoring antics of the irritating kind. Probably better to take a mooring. ... read more