"Ria de Salcombe"... doesn't have quite the ring to it as "Ria de Muros" or "Ria de Vigo" but nevertheless this is a Ria, a flooded valley, the same as the magnificent Rias of North-West Spain. It is also one of the most popular stopovers for cruising boats West of the Solent, coping with thousands of visitors every year. There is no commercial and little fishing activity based at this harbour, because the harbour is bounded by a bar that can be  dangerous at times. In stiff onshore conditions, or with a heavy swell Salcombe cannot considered a harbour of refuge, Dartmouth is available to the East, and Plymouth to the West. ... read more

Approaching Salcombe Harbour from the West involves passing Bolt Head at a good distance to avoid Little Mew Stone and Mewstone, both conspicuous and standing 5 m and 19 m respectively. The entrance to the harbour will start revealing itself. In lumpy weather especially with an ebbing tide it is wise to give Bolt Head a wide berth.

From the East once past Prawle Point the best plan is to keep about five cables off the coast, and then swing over to the West in the region of Starehole Bay, while trying to identify the leading marks, and turning onto a northerly heading when they have been identified.

At night the sectored light displayed from the rear leading beacon on Sandhill Point leads the way in with its narrow white sector 357° to 002° T, and its characteristics are RGW 2s. Too far to the East and you will see green, too far to the west you will see red.

By day or night do not get too close to the north-eastern corner of Starehole Bay where the submerged Cadmus Rocks and the visible but unlit Little Eelstone await the unwary. Keep a good cable off the Western shore.

Further Pilotage Details... ... read more

There is no Marina or alongside berthing of any kind in Salcombe, and the options are either to lay to your own anchor, or take a harbour authority mooring. For the former you will be charged 88p a metre and the latter £1.75 per metre, with various deals available for longer stays and incentives to encourage yachtsmen and motorboaters outside of July and August. Owners of heavyweight leviathans can be accommodated by arrangement as the authorities have some mooring buoys capable of handling 100 tonnes.

There is an Anchorage available outside the harbour in the Starehole Bay. This is suitable only in settled weather and even then maybe uncomfortable. Care needs to be taken as the wreck of the barque "Herzogin Cecilie" lurks in the north-west corner marked by a red and black isolated danger buoy.

Salcombe Harbour Mooring Information... ... read more