The River Orwell stretches from the big container terminals at Felixstowe to the county town of Ipswich, about 8 miles. It is far more commercialised than the Stour with surprisingly large ships regularly going to and from Ipswich. The River still has beautiful scenery, and a visit to the hard at Pin Mill together with its pub is a must for most East Coast types.

This stretch of water boasts five marinas, some mooring buoys at Pin Mill, and various anchoring opportunities. Boat facilities abound. ... read more

Follow the directions already given in the Harwich article for entering that harbour, and make as if you were going to Shotley Spit Marina. Instead of aiming for the green Ganges buoy, keep more to the East and pass the southerly Cardinal buoy Shotley Spit (Q(6)+LFl.15s) close on your starboard side.

Steering NNW from here leave the red can College buoy (Fl(2)R.10s) on your starboard side and steering NW leave the next two red can buoys, Pepys and Barbergh very, very close to starboard.

This keeps you well clear of the Trinity Container Terminal, it also puts you in danger of grounding on your port side at low water. Extreme care will be needed to stay close to the red can buoys and not to stray towards the Marina and Shotley point. ... read more

The visiting yachtsman or motorboater will have no trouble securing a berth in the River Orwell area. Marinas include Suffolk Yacht Harbour, the Royal Harwich Yacht Club Marina, Woolverstone Marina, and Fox's Marina. At Ipswich will be found Neptune Marina, Ipswich Yacht Haven and Debbage Yachting in New Cut.

A couple of anchoring possibilities have already been mentioned in the previous paragraphs, but wherever you anchor make sure you stay well clear of areas where cables cross the river underwater. These are marked on the banks by noticeboards.

The other places you can moor your boat are now dealt with in the order that you will pass them on route to Ipswich, together with prices: ... read more