Whitsand Bay to St. Austell

Introduction

This area runs from Whitsand Bay in the east to St. Austell in the west.

Times of high water

Looe: High water is 5 hours and 38 minutes before high water at Dover

Fowey: High water is 5 hours and 40 minutes before high water at Dover

Tidal streams

Between Looe and Rame Head: The east going stream begins at 3 hours and 30 minutes before high water at Plymouth (devonport). The west going stream begins at 1 hours after high water at Plymouth (devonport). The east going stream reaches a speed of 0.6 knots at springs. The west going stream reaches a speed of 0.3 knots at springs.. The east-going stream at the east end of Whitsand Bay starts earlier due to the eddy at Rame Head, beginning around 4 and a half hours after high water Plymouth. The west-going stream starts at roughly the same time across this area.

Looe Island: An eddy forms behind the island on the east-going stream from 1 hour before high water at Plymouth. Overfalls form south east of Looe Island on the Ranneys.

Inshore between Looe and Fowey: The east going stream begins at 4 hours before high water at Plymouth (devonport). The west going stream begins at 2 hours after high water at Plymouth (devonport). The flow reaches a speed of 1 knots at springs.

Fowey Harbour: The south going stream begins at 15 minutes before high water at Plymouth (devonport). The north going stream begins at 6 hours and 10 minutes after high water at Plymouth (devonport). The south going stream reaches a speed of 1.5 knots at springs. The north going stream reaches a speed of 1 knots at springs. The sea breaks when the wind opposes the ebb tide in the river entrance.

Gribbin Head: The east going stream begins at 3 hours and 30 minutes before high water at Plymouth (devonport). The west going stream begins at 1 hours and 30 minutes after high water at Plymouth (devonport). Flow is fairly weak. An eddy forms in St. Austell bay from 4 hours after high water Plymouth, such that the flow to the west of the headland is always either slack or southerly.

Mevagissey Bay and St. Austell Bay: Tides irregular and weak

Notes

Tregantle Ranges: Firing times can be checked with the coastguard, by calling 01752 822516 and online

Access/Egress

Portwrinkle: (SX 354 538) g Small car park near the drying harbour.

Seaton Beach: (SX 305 542) g Pay and display beachfront parking. The length of the carry will vary with the tide.

Looe Millendreath Beach: (SX 268 540) g Large area to drop boats near the beach before parking slightly back in a sizeable pay and display car park.

East Looe Beach: (SX 257 532) g Can be very busy - may be easier to paddle into the river.

Looe Bridge: (SX 254 535) g Steps near the bridge and the Quayside car park.

Talland Bay: (SX 224 515) g Pay and display car park by the beach and cafe. May be good to arrive early.

Polperro: (SX 209 509) g Whilst launching from Polperro's harbour is certainly possible, getting a car down to it during the tourist season is likely difficult, or, given traffic restrictions, impossible.

Polruan quay: (SX 126 510) g Slip near the ferry dock, with limited parking (more in a car park up the hill). Very steep drive down to the quay.

Fowey Gig Club: (SX 127 522) g Slipway in the Caffa Mill car park may provide an easier access point than either Readymoney or Polruan.

Lostwithiel: (SX 106 598) g Picnic spot and parking just below the Tudor bridge.

Readymoney Cove: (SX 119 510) g Slipway onto beach from a turning area at the end of the public road. Cars will need to be left a few hundred metres away at the car park to the north west - a footpath enables drivers to walk back to the beach.

Polkerris: (SX 093 521) g Limited parking by the beach, larger car park just up the hill.

Charlestown: (SX 039 515) g Slipway on west side of harbour mouth and small beach at road end. Large car park 50 m to the north. Arrive early as paid car park fills by mid-morning in the tourist season. The small launch/landing beach can also get crowded at high tide during peak season.

Looe Marine Drive*: (SX 255 523) g Parking along street near cafe and public toilets, busy in summer. Ramp down to beach. Large rocky shelf at low water with concrete path laid over it, suitable for kayak trolleys.

Looe Millpool car park*: (SX 249 538) g Large car park, busy in summer, pay and display. Public Slipway, free to use.

Suggested trips

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