Plymouth Cruising Guide

Plymouth Sound

Barn Pool

An attractive little bay located at the foot of the National Trust’s Mount Edgcumbe Estate, Barn Pool is popular for diving as the beach shelves off steeply, but you can also anchor close to the shore and enjoy a picnic in the country park or a tasty lunch at the Edgecombe Arms.

Jenny Cliff

Nestled between Mountbatten Breakwater and Fort Bovisand, Jennycliff is close to Plymouth’s main marinas and is a great overnight anchorage. An official Country Wildlife Site, Jenny Cliff is home to four endangered plants and the lush woodlands and grasslands are important habitats for a variety of insects and birds, so you can really get back to nature.

Cawsand Bay

A gorgeous, sheltered anchorage on the edge of Mount Edgcumbe Country Park, Cawsand Bay is ideal for a lunchtime or overnight stop. Tucked away and overlooking Plymouth Sound, it’s a great place for a swim and the sandy/shingle beach will keep children entertained for hours with its abundance of rock pools to explore.

If you fancy a trip ashore for a bite, you’ll find some great local pubs in the pretty fishing village of Cawsand where you can keep an eye on your boat while enjoy some good gastro pub food.

River Yealm

Cellar Bay

Just inside the mouth of the River Yealm, you’ll find Cellar Bay. With its sheltered and secluded sandy beach, Cellar Bay is a delightful swimming spot when the weather is good. When stretching your legs, if you venture through the Passage Wood and up over the heather covered cliffs you’ll be rewarded with stunning views across the entrance to Plymouth Sound. However, beware the sandbar at the river entrance and check the tides for depth.

Newton Ferrers and Noss Mayo

From Cellars Bay you can make your way up the River Yealm to the pretty twin fishing villages of Newton Ferrers and Noss Mayo. Tie up your tender alongside the Ship Inn at high water and enjoy a drink in this tranquil hideaway before exploring the rest of this astonishingly beautiful location on foot, with its plentiful walks and incredible ocean vistas.

Erme Estuary

Mothecombe, Coastguards and Wonwell Beach

At the entrance to Erme Estuary you’ll be wowed by the three beaches of Mothecombe, Coastguards and Wonwell. All privately owned and maintained by the Flete Estate, these gorgeous stretches of sand have become a bit of a mecca for beach sports such as windsurfing, SUP and horse riding. The Erme Estuary is also a wildlife haven and you’ll often spot cormorants, herons and kingfishers residing here.

Bigbury Bay

Bantham Beach

If you head further east from the Erme Estuary you’ll reach Bigbury Bay, home of Bantham Beach. This beautiful expanse of sand offers lots of space for seaside fun and will keep the whole family entertained. It’s also a popular surf spot and board hire is available locally. At low tide you can explore a maze of rock pools heated up by the day’s sun, or if you fancy venturing further afield on the shore, there are some lovely coastal footpaths to navigate.

At the end of a busy day exploring and playing, you can head to the Sloop Inn for some hearty pub grub and, if you’re lucky, enjoy a spectacular sunset over the ocean.

Burgh Island

Looking out from Bantham Beach, Burgh Island stands out in the middle of the bay. This serene tidal island can only be accessed via a special sea tractor that can be seen trudging back and forth at low tide. Now home to an exclusive Art Deco hotel, the island is also famous for its links with some of Agatha Christie’s novels.