Harbour Information (use the icons to find out more)

Wells-next-the Sea Harbour

Your Comments: 13 Read or add your comments

Courtesy Flag

Flag, Red Ensign

Waypoint

Wells Lead In West Cardinal Mark: 52°59'.684N 000°50'.235 E (2022 position)

Charts

Admiralty, 108, SC5164

Rules & Regulations

There are speed limits (8kts in the channel and 5kts in the harbour) and PWCs are not permitted

Hazards

Entrance Dangerous in heavy or onshore conditions.

Tidal Data Times & Range

Wells Quay: Hull +0035 MHWS 3.5m, MHWN 2.0m Quay Dries   (links)

This site is designed for slower, roaming broadband connections, like you would get at sea, so it needs JavaScript enabled to expand the text.

General Description

Wells-next-the-Sea is a truly salty little town on the North Norfolk coast, with a long history of seafaring. ... read more

Approach

 Caution:update 2021. If you thought you were "familiar" with Wells but haven't been here since 2018/19 you'd better have a look at their Navigation video because it's all changed  - there are no kinks after the Pool so you go from the Lifeboat shed across to the salt marsh and back and then it's a straight run through to the pontoon ... read more

Berthing, Mooring & Anchoring

There are various berthing opportunities within Wells for the yachtsman or motorboater prepared to take the ground........ ... read more

Your Ratings & Comments

13 comments
Update June 2022
Written by Don Thomson 3 | 17th Jun 2022
I reviewed these notes in June 2022. We've kept up-to-date with the changes here and you should distrust all the official publications. The HM's video is the only way to get the most recent info. The Off shore wind farm is no longer using Wells and there are some ideas afoot for the development of the outer harbour but nothing firm as yet.
UPDATE SPRING 2021
Written by Don Thomson 3 | 13th May 2021
I reviewed these notes in May 2021. THE CHANNEL IN BEYOND THE LIFEBOAT SHED HAS ALTERED MARKEDLY. Prices have been simplified. There is a "must watch" video of the new channel on their website. You should check the age an reliability of any information you use to enter this harbour; it changes every year and even month to month.
2 of 2 people found this helpful
Update Spring 2019
Written by Don Thomson 3 | 24th Apr 2019
These notes were reviewed in April 2019. A link to the harbour's navigation instructions has been updated. If you have anything other than this years charts in your plotter ignore it for entry. Prices increased va little and the Deputy HM's number has changed. New charts installed.
1 of 1 people found this helpful
Significant change to "The Run" channel
Written by Duetveil | 29th May 2017
Notice to Mariners - Change to navigable channel
Fri 26 May 2017
Back

PORT OF WELLS
NOTICE TO MARINERS
Change to navigable channel
URGENT

A new navigable channel has opened up on the Run between Ben Taylors buoy and Walkers Jetty. The new channel has been cleared of moorings and all the Port hand buoys have been moved from the old channel to the new channel.

At the Southeast corner of the channel at Walkers Jetty there is a high sandbank which is marked with port hand buoys. Please do not attempt to sail over this bank.

New Position

No 16 Buoy Lat 52°57'.857N Long 000°51'.075E

Robert Smith
Harbour Master
Port of Wells
3 of 3 people found this helpful
Update April 2017
Written by Don Thomson | 3rd Apr 2017
These notes were reviewed in April 2017. They've moved the WCM at the entrance to the buoyed channel again this year. The new position is that given by the harbour and differs from that shown on Admiralty Charts, Navionics and the Reeds 2017 almanac. Their prices have gone up £2 per night across the board. If you use a lot of petrol don't plan to refuel here - there isn't any for miles.
1 of 1 people found this helpful
Sept 2016 visit
Written by paulgretton | 2nd Sep 2016
Called in for an overnight stay, heading north last week. Getting on towards Springs so approach made 1hrs before HW. Used Navionics+ eyeball Mk 1 to find Fairway Buoy and then followed buoyage to pontoons. Navionics and VMH download chart showed us crossing land in the approaches but after that not bad. Stay as close to the red cans as traffic allows for best water. For a 1st timer it is a dry mouth entrance. Wide enough for 2 vessels to pass by but not a lot more. the depth never showed more than 3m and less the further in we went. Good facilities once alongside. Harbourmaster very helpful/user friendly. Took on fuel and noted tide turn very quickly and strong enough to cause sudden change of fenders/ropes over. You would be advised to always moor into the tidal stream, not a lot of swinging room at fuel berth.Personally would not go near the entrance in any kind of swell. a nightmare with a sea running. Talk to Harbourmaster before contemplating passage. Lots of wind farm activity on new Race Bank farm not shown on Navionics but shown on VMH pilotage notices to mariners. Trust the buoys.
3 of 3 people found this helpful
Update Spring 2016
Written by dononshytalk | 24th Mar 2016
These notes were reviewed by Don in March 2016. NB THE CHANNEL HERE HAS CHANGED AGAIN AND IS FURTHER NORTH THAN IN PREVIOUS YEARS. THE ADMIRALTY NO LONGER SHOWS ANY BUOYAGE IN THE CHANNEL AND ALL OLD CHARTS SHOULD BE IGNORED
Wells Cardinal (Fairway)
Written by Duetveil | 11th Feb 2015
Due to the recent channel movement from North of number 5 buoy, the West Cardinal has been repositioned.

West Cardinal new position 52°59'.587N 000°51'.580E

http://www.wellsharbour.co.uk/getin.htm
1 of 1 people found this helpful
New West Cardinal
Written by Duetveil | 21st May 2013
Position update:

Latitude 52°59'.642N
Longitude 000°51'.028E

Flash : VQ (9) 10s
Update 2013
Written by dononshytalk | 12th Apr 2013
These notes were updated by Don T on the 12th April 2013. The replacement of the Wells Outer Buoy with a WCM is imminent otherwise little has changed. The prices have been updated for 2013
1 of 1 people found this helpful
Check for Latest Leading Bouy - West Cardinal buoy, fl. Q(9) 15s.
Written by Duetveil | 4th Apr 2013
Latitude 52°59'.64N
Longitude 000°51'.00E

Course approximately 165° from the Leading Buoy to the West End Bar Buoy, then approximately 150° to the East End Bar Buoy and then approximately 210° to the entrance between buoys 1 and 2.

NOTE The leading buoy, currently a port-hand mark, is due to be replaced in early 2013 with a West Cardinal buoy, fl. Q(9) 15s.

http://www.wellsharbour.co.uk/getin.htm
1 of 1 people found this helpful
Buoyage, 2012
Written by Duetveil | 27th Sep 2012
2012 guide on main Harbour website @

http://www.wellsharbour.co.uk/getin.htm
1 of 1 people found this helpful
Trial Buoyage, 2011
Written by Bryant | 26th Dec 2010
Update from TonyB Dec 2010:

Message:

"As a sailor who moors in Wells I can vouch for the accuracy of this site.
As of this year, 2011, there will be new buoys near the leading buoy to
aid entry and the harbour website details these. Please note they are a
trial and will only be stationed during the season."

This was sent at 26/12/2010 13:27:56
3 of 3 people found this helpful
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