Falmouth is the most westerly point in Great Britain offering excellent shelter and a range of convenient mooring or berthing options, so it’s a place of some significance for yachtsmen and power boaters. Add to that a pretty town offering all facilities, and any leisure sailor cruising in these areas is likely to pay it a call.

St Anthony Head to the east of the wide entrance has a pretty white lighthouse on it to help you confirm the identity of Falmouth Bay. If coming from the west avoid the Manacles 5 miles off by keeping outside the east cardinal buoy. As you head into the estuary beware Black Rock which is indicated by an isolated danger mark and an east cardinal buoy. Otherwise there are no dangers and you can set a course for the breakwaters of the commercial docks of Falmouth Harbour.

Best option for most leisure visitors will be the Visitors Yacht Haven (VHF Ch 12) run by the town council which offers walk-ashore pontoons opposite the centre of town. You will probably have to raft up, but the fees are sensible and there are perfectly adequate showers on the quayside. If you don’t want to raft there may be a spare buoy you can moor to in the same area. An alternative option is the Pendennis Marina, though it’s a bit further away and you will probably have to raft up there too. Shops lie close to hand and there are plenty of pubs and restaurants of which one of the more ambitious is Bistro de la Mer (T 01326 833302) a few yards along the street.

A mile or so up the Penryn River lies Falmouth Marina, though space for visitors is limited so it makes sense to phone ahead to check availability. Further up the main estuary of the River Fal, for a more rural berth there is Mylor Yacht Harbour at the entrance to Mylor Creek.

Anchoring is possible close to the Yacht Haven in Falmouth (consult the harbour authorities) or on the other side of the estuary on the north side of St Mawes Harbour. Further up the estuary yachts can get as far as Malpas with numerous attractive creeks en route for exploration by shoal draft vessels.

A few miles south of Falmouth lies the beautiful Helford River. If coming from Falmouth, make sure you avoid the Gedges rocks just outside the entrance by keeping the green buoy to starboard. There are visitors’ moorings off Helford village while anchoring is a possibility off Porth Saxon just inside the entrance on the north side or further up on the south side opposite Porthnavas Creek.

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