Suggested ports of call in Devon & Cornwall - 1.8m draught

[Prologica1]

Hi All,
Looking for any recommendations of harbours/bays etc. in South Devon and Cornwall. I've already visited Torquay, Brixham, Salcombe, Dartmouth, Yealm, Plymouth and Fowey and will visit these again with new crew in the next couple of weeks.
I have Fal Bay and Helford River on my bucket list, another crew has suggested Penzance. We are not necessarily fans of marinas unless these are the better option, happy to anchor or swing mooring but would like to get ashore where we can.(I favour water taxi over tender where available). We don't mind the challenge of a tricky entrance if it's worth it. Our 1.8m draught will restrict us in some places of course but what are your suggestions?
Thanks
P.

 

[chris-s]

St Mawes, Falmouth or better still anchor up the river Fal, Helford, any number of little coves working down and around the Lizard, Mounts Bay and then Newlyn is about as far as you could go without making the step to the Scillies.

 

[Prologica1]

Thanks @chris-s We have max 2 weeks to explore and return to Gosport. Would you say that Newly is better destination than Penzance? Is either more yacht-friendly?

 

[Prologica1]

Newlyn I mean!

 

[westhinder]

Thanks @chris-s We have max 2 weeks to explore and return to Gosport. Would you say that Newly is better destination than Penzance? Is either more yacht-friendly?

I prefer Newlyn for its unrestricted access. I know it had a poor reputation but when I was there the harbourmaster was very welcoming. Penzance has lock doors and is rather noisy with road traffic

 

[chris-s]

Yep, what westhinder said.

With places like the Helford, St Mawes or anchoring off St Just there are some great coastal and riverside walks.

Falmouth itself is just a busy noisy holiday town, far nicer places to visit.

The upper parts of the river Fal, past the ferry are quiet and well sheltered with excellent anchoring in mud. Not many options to go ashore unless you went up to Malpas, but great for a peaceful night.

 

[johnalison]

I actually quite like Falmouth. There are places up the Fal for a quiet night or more, but it would be a shame to miss the town. A walk to Pendennis Castle is worthwhile as the view from there is fine, and there is history from Henrician to WW2. The art gallery is decent and has some good stuff from when good artists came to Cornwall. I believe that beer is also sold nearby.

 

[doug748]

Most of the regular places are well trodden. I suggest a few more unusual anchorages, some of them quite snug, in case you get Easterly winds, and absence of S / SW swell:

Elender Cove between Prawle Point and Gammon Head. Fine natural surroundings and little else. Tight.

Hope Cove, where you can land on a good beach to enjoy the facilities of a pretty village.

Mouth of the River Erme. Always feels a bit too snug, only for settled weather. Nice beaches, wonderful, a lot of filming has been done there including International Velvet. Study the chart.

Polhawn Cove behind Rame Head, quite lavish in size and you could conceivably land on the beach (up the "hidden" path) and walk across to Cawsand Bay and it's four pubs, about a mile away.

Polkerris in the North East corner of St Austell Bay. Very pleasant when the jet skis have gone home. Pub and Bistro ashore. Land behind the typical Cornish harbour walls.


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[lustyd]

Is Newlyn more open these days? Only been there once but agree I'd prefer it to Penzance. When we went it was only emergencies for yachts but people used it as a stop on passage to Scillies which was tolerated.

 

[Prologica1]

Thanks everyone, very helpful ideas.

 

[fisherman]

There is a deep pool off Tremayne Quay, Helford, above that you may ground. You can get ashore at the boathouse any tide, there is a walk/cycleable track up to Gear farm shop, or dinghy up to Gweek on the flood, lovely trip plus beer and shop. Maybe anchor at Turnaware bar on the Fal, see a few there, but no metropolis.