Marina Information

You are viewing the expanded version of this Marina, for faster browsing
use the regular version here

Salen Jetty (Loch Sunart)

Your Comments: 5 Read or add your comments

Courtesy Flag

Flag, Red Ensign

Waypoint

56° 42.4 N 005° 46.5 W

Charts

AC2394 Loch Sunart; SC 5611, Imray C65 (no plan of Salen)

Rules & Regulations

None known

Hazards

There is a drying reef half way up Salen Bay on the West side marked by an East Cardinal (position 56° 42.666N 05° 46.57W)

Tidal Data Times & Range

HW as HW Oban MHWS 4.6m MHWN 3.4m MLWN 1.7m MLWS 1.7m   (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

Contacts: Salen Jetty   mob 07909 944494  tel 01967 431510    No VHF and no intentions of getting it as reception no good in the lochs.

Salen Jetty is on the West side of a small inlet on the North side of Loch Sunart (variously called Loch Salen or Salen Bay).  For a long time there were only four visitors moorings here but the new owners who took over in 2010 have put in a small pontoon set up, consisting of a main pontoon with four fingers on the Northern side and leaves the southern side free for larger boats. The depth at the fingers ranges from 3m to 8m.

Loch Sunart itself is a sinuous loch leading inland for about 20 miles with numerous, isolated little places to anchor which have been surveyed by the Antares chart people; the scenery is awe inspiring and one could spend several days exploring it in fine weather either anchoring out or just exploring and returning here to Salen Jetty for the night.

The facilities here are the equal of any large marina in more frequented locations - but a whole lot quieter!
 
Their website can be found at  http://www.salenjetty.co.uk/

Approach

The approach is along Loch Sunart which is the loch on......

..... the starboard side of the Sound of Mull opposite Tobermory.  Be careful of the reefs and drying rocks at the North end of the Sound of Mull; if you are coming from Tobermory you’ll need to plot a course to the East of them and pass fairly close to Auliston Point. If coming from Ardnamurchan you will be passing to the North of them.

Once into Loch Sunart the passage to the North of Oronsay is not problematical (unless you go stupidly close to that island!)
You then lean a bit to starboard to pass South of Risga and Ross Rock (probably won’t see that except at LWS) before turning NE through the channel between Risga and Carna. You need to be aware of the 0.5m reef in that gap; you won’t see the shallow but the effect can be seen (and felt) at the surface.

After turning around the North of Carna it’s a doddle, just stay well clear of the rocks at the next corner before turning NE up the loch to the turn in for Salen Bay.  This is not all that obvious from a distance, but there are a couple of white buildings (cottages) at Rubha Aird Beithe so aim for those and the bay will open on your port bow.

In 2022 they didn’t have VHF ashore so you have to ring them on their mobile for berthing instructions.

There is an East Cardinal buoy in the middle of the bay, half way towards to pontoons (not shown on UKHO charts in 2012 as well as Antares);  you ignore this at your peril.  There is a great temptation to head straight for the pontoons when you round the corner into the bay, which will take you over the top of this drying reef. Stay to the East of that ECM before turning into the pontoons.

Berthing, Mooring & Anchoring

There are eight pontoon berths with power and water and four visitor’s moorings.

It is advisable to ring ahead and reserve a berth here because it is becoming increasingly popular.  They charge (2022) £15 a boat up to 6m and £3.00 per metre for boats larger than that which includes shore power and showers. The mooring buoys will cost £17 per night.

The other moorings in the bay are private and not to be used.  There’s not much room to anchor and you’d be advised to use a tripping line if you do.

Facilities

You will find this small enterprise surprisingly well equipped. There is power and water to the pontoons; they can supply diesel, Calor Gas and Camping Gaz and there is a small shop/café. The only slight problem is that there is only one toilet and a toilet/shower so you need to choose your moment!

Eating, Drinking & Entertainment

As mentioned there is a small café and further around the loch, at it’s head, is an hotel/restaurant which has had good reports.

Links

Your Ratings & Comments

5 comments
UPDATE AUGUST 2022
Written by Don Thomson 3 | 23rd Aug 2022
I reviewed these notes in August 2022. Thanks for the info on Salen in the Sound of Mull - it's why we labelled this "Salem (Loch Sunart"). No changes apart from prices. Still a lovely place.
This is Salem Ardnamurchan, not Salen Mull!
Written by HGS | 4th Jul 2022
There is another Salen, on the Mull shore of the Sound of Mull. Not to be confused!
UPDATE SUMMER 2021
Written by Don Thomson 3 | 16th Jul 2021
I love this little spot. They have increased their prices a little but for what they provide in this isolated bay it's cheap.
Update Summer 2019
Written by Don Thomson 3 | 1st Jul 2019
These notes were reviewed in July 2019. Prices have been increased slightly and we've updated the charts.
Harbour added Autumn 2017
Written by Don Thomson | 11th Sep 2017
This harbour was added to the gazetteer in autumn of 2017
© visitMyHarbour.com | website design created by Black Culm Ltd