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Ore and Alde, Rivers
Courtesy Flag
Flag, Red EnsignWaypoint
Orford Haven Buoy 52:01'.604 N 001:27.'987 E Buoy liable to be moved.Charts
Admiralty 2695, SC5607Rules & Regulations
UnknownHazards
Constantly changing entrance channel, Seas Break, Dangerous in onshore winds, LOCAL KNOWLEDGE ADVISED.Tidal Data Times & Range
Entrance Dover +0015 MHWS 3.2m, MHWN 2.6m, MLWN 1.0m, MLWS 0.4m Orford Quay: Dover +0100 Slaughden Quay: Dover +0155This site is designed for slower, roaming broadband connections, like you would get at sea, so it needs JavaScript enabled to expand the text. Click here to show the fully expanded version
General Description
The rivers Ore and Alde are actually just one stretch of water that wind their way from Shingle Street to Snape Maltings, passing by the towns of Orford and Aldeburgh. There are over 15 miles of navigable water, with numerous anchoring opportunities for deep draft craft.
For those looking for some peace, quiet and natural surroundings the area is ideal, and modest provisioning is possible at Orford and Aldeburgh, but if planning to spend some time here exploring it would be best to arrive fully stocked up.
The layout of the River is quite unusual in that it virtually follows the coastline for many miles and in some places there is very little separating it from the sea (see photo gallery). ... read more
Approach
If approaching from the South, Harwich or the Deben, it is fairly straightforward to keep a reasonably good offing and locate the red-and-white spherical Orford Haven buoy (LFl.10s). Keep well to seawards of it until ready to commence your approach.
From the North you will be approaching in the Hollesley Bay Channel which has plenty of water and is bounded on it's eastern side by the Whiting Bank. Patches of this dry at CD, and the sea breaks on it, it's best well avoided. It is well charted and buoyed. Locate and identify the Orford Haven buoy (already mentioned) from seawards.
Further pilotage details: ... read more
Berthing, Mooring & Anchoring
Anchoring is possible anywhere within the River out of the main channel, with holding varying from good mud to dodgy shingle.
The initial run up Long Reach towards Dove Point is not a good place to anchor. The tides run very hard, the holding is suspect, and there is a waterskiing area. Added to that there's no facilities.
The spit extending from Dove Point is marked by a unlit southerly cardinal buoy, and there are two choices. You can either pass North of Havergate Island, which gives access to Butley River and several other anchorages where a boat can lay in peace, or the more direct southerly route through The Narrows and Main Reach for those intent on reaching Orford and beyond.
Anchorages and moorings in the Rivers Ore and Alde, for yachtsmen and motorboaters: ... read more
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