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. ... read more

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 on the northern shore. ... read more

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. ... read more