The main thing of concern to a passing yachtsman or motorboater is that Lowestoft Harbour can be entered at all states the tide and in onshore weather, unlike Southwold, Orford Haven and Woodbridge Haven. It thus provides him with a bolthole if heading north from Harwich area.

Although the port and the dockside scenery is more industrial than rural, good facilities will be found within. There are now two marinas virtually just inside the entrance where comings and goings are unrestricted by bridge liftings.

Deeper within the harbour, past the opening Road Bridge will be found another three opportunities for mooring alongside.

Access is then available to the non-tidal Oulton Broad via co-ordinated operations involving two bridges and a lock. ... read more

Any kind of approaches to Lowestoft or Great Yarmouth will need up to date charts, as the various offshore sandbanks are constantly on the move. There are deepwater buoyed channels between the banks, and it is best to stick to these in your approaches to Lowestoft.

If coming from the North, say the Great Yarmouth area, you would probably use the Corton Road channel and the Lowestoft North Road channel. This takes you inside the well marked Holm Sands shallows which are to be avoided. You will see the town, the lighthouse mounted slightly inland, and the wind generator. Keep a reasonable offing to avoid the pair of lit Cardinal buoys marking an obstruction. These lie off Lowestoft Ness, the most easterly point of the UK.

Pilotage details: ... read more

There are various options for berthing in Lowestoft, ABP Lowestoft Haven Marina, Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club Marina, while in Lake Lothing there is another ABP Marina (large), Lowestoft Cruising Club, and finally Lowestoft Marina (small). There is nowhere to anchor in Lowestoft. Full details including prices follow:

ABP Lowestoft Haven Marina, Hamilton Dock.

As you enter immediately to your starboard side you will see the entrance to the large Waverney Dock. If you pass through here you will come to the smaller Hamilton Dock where ABP have created a small Marina for around 50 boats, in addition to their other offering which lays past the opening bridge (details later) in Lake Lothing. ... read more