Making passage west out of Lyme Bay the streams run strongly between Start Point and Bolt Head, so make sure you have the tide behind you. When you arrive in the small bay outside Salcombe the entrance to the harbour is not obvious from the east so head in close under the wooded cliffs on the western side to see the leading marks. Coming from the west, there are rocks at the foot of Bolt Head which should be given a proper berth.

The bar has a least depth of 0.7m LAT (as of 2010) and in principle will be passable at most states of the tide for the majority of vessels, except for an hour or two either side of MLWS. However, the water over the bar can be quite rough, especially with an onshore wind against the ebb, and first time visitors will be prudent to confine their arrival to the upper half of the tide. You are advised by the harbour authorities not to attempt entry on an ebb tide if onshore winds are strong.

Once close in, the leading marks are not difficult to see, one low down on the Poundstone Rock and one due north behind it on Sandhill Point just to the left of the double gabled house. At night keep in the white sector. Having negotiated the bar leave the green buoy to starboard and head up towards the town quay.

For berthing information contact HM on VHF Ch 14 or T 01548 843791 who will direct you to one of the visitors’ moorings opposite the town landing stage or on a pontoon round the corner in The Bag. Anchoring is possible in Smalls Cove opposite Salcombe Harbour Hotel or more comfortably at the entrance to Frogmore Creek further up. The moorings are handy for the town but not the most restful if the wind blows.

To go ashore either get the dinghy out or use the water taxi (VHF Ch 12, T 07807 643879) which occasionally can involve a longish wait. Salcombe is a pretty place though thick with visitors in season both on the water and off it. Loos and showers (of a rugby club nature) at the yacht club. Good baker at the Upper Crust, 3 Fore St, supplying Devon pasties and scones for your cream tea, and a range of restaurants of which two of the better ones are the Boatswain’s Brasserie (T 01548 842189) and Dickandwills (T 01548 843408).

For those willing or able to dry out, it is possible to get up to Kingsbridge on the tide.

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