This area extends fro Start Bay in the east to Whitsand Bay to the west.
It encompasses both the beautiful rural backwaters of the Salcombe and Prawle Point area and the bustling port of Plymouth.
Plymouth is a standard port and high water throughout this area will be close to high water there.
Salcombe: High water is 17 minutes after high water at Plymouth (devonport)
Bigbury Bay: High water is 5 hours and 23 minutes before high water at Dover
Wembury Bay: High water is at high water at Plymouth (devonport)
One mile ESE Start Point: The north-east going stream begins at 2 hours and 55 minutes before high water at Plymouth (devonport). The south-west going stream begins at 2 hours and 55 minutes after high water at Plymouth (devonport). The north-east going stream reaches a speed of 3 knots at springs. The south-west going stream reaches a speed of 2.2 knots at springs.
Inshore Start Point: The north north-east going stream begins at 2 hours and 30 minutes before high water at Plymouth (devonport). The south south-west going stream begins at 3 hours after high water at Plymouth (devonport). The north north-east going stream reaches a speed of 1.5 knots at springs. The south south-west going stream reaches a speed of 1.7 knots at springs. The north-going tide reaches a high speed soon after turning, flowing 1.2 knots inshore and close to 3 knots offshore by 2 hours before high water Plymouth. Races can form.
From around 5 hours after high water at Plymouth, inshore eddy effects lead to flow heading offshore from both sides of the point, such that by around 4 hours before high water at Plymouth, it should be fairly easy to paddle northwards around the Point. Similar effects may allow the Point to be rounded southwards from around 2 hours after high water at Plymouth. See flow atlas on chart 1634 'Start Point To Brixham' for more detail.
Eddy to south of Start Point: An eddy forms in Raven's cove from 5 hours after high water Plymouth. By 4 hours before high water Plymouth, the eddy extends all the way to the Kingsbridge Estuary entrance.
Eddy to north of Start point: An eddy forms to the north of Start Point during the north-north east-going stream.
Prawle Point: The east going stream begins at 4 hours before high water at Plymouth (devonport). The west going stream begins at 5 hours after high water at Plymouth (devonport). The flow reaches a speed of 3 knots at springs. The flow is affected by the large eddy that forms behind Start Point.
Mouth of Kingsbridge Estuary: The south south-east going stream begins at 15 minutes after high water at Plymouth (devonport). The north north-west going stream begins at 5 hours and 45 minutes before high water at Plymouth (devonport). The flow reaches a speed of 3 knots at springs.
Kingsbridge Estuary by Salcombe: The north-east going stream begins at 6 hours before high water at Dover. The south-west going stream begins at 20 minutes after high water at Dover. The north-east going stream reaches a speed of 1.6 knots at springs. The south-west going stream reaches a speed of 1.9 knots at springs.
Bolt Head: The tide flows east and west. The flow reaches a speed of 2 knots at springs. Tide race.
Bigbury Bay: Streams are weak within Bigbury Bay. They increase substantially around Bolt tail.
Bigbury Bay: The east going stream begins at 4 hours and 15 minutes after high water at Dover. The west going stream begins at 2 hours after high water at Dover. The flow reaches a speed of 1 knots at springs.. The west-going stream is weaker than the east-going stream.
5 miles south of Great Mew Stone: The east going stream begins at 2 hours and 30 minutes before high water at Plymouth (devonport). The west going stream begins at 3 hours and 15 minutes after high water at Plymouth (devonport). The east going stream reaches a speed of 1 knots at springs. The west going stream reaches a speed of 0.8 knots at springs.. This information may be of use to paddlers heading to the Eddystone. The east going tide varies fairly normally, but the west-going stream reaches its maximum after around 2 and a half hours, then flows at this rate constantly until around 4 hours before high water Plymouth.
Mouth of the River Yealm: The east going stream begins at 5 hours and 45 minutes before high water at Plymouth (devonport). The west going stream begins at 15 minutes after high water at Plymouth (devonport). The east going stream reaches a speed of 1.5 knots at springs. The west going stream reaches a speed of 2 knots at springs. The duration of the outgoing stream can increase after heavy rain. Apart from this, streams in Wembury Bay are weak. The out-going stream runs west along the coast and then north west between Great Mew Stone and Wembury Point.
South west of Great Mew Stone: The east south-east going stream begins at 2 hours and 30 minutes before high water at Plymouth (devonport). The west north-west going stream begins at 3 hours and 20 minutes after high water at Plymouth (devonport). The east south-east going stream reaches a speed of 0.9 knots at springs. The west north-west going stream reaches a speed of 0.8 knots at springs.
East of the Plymouth Breakwater: The south going stream begins at 10 minutes after high water at Plymouth (devonport). The north going stream begins at 6 hours and 10 minutes before high water at Plymouth (devonport). The flow reaches a speed of 1 knots at springs.
West of Plymouth Breakwater: The north-east going stream begins at 5 hours and 50 minutes before high water at Plymouth (devonport). The south-west going stream begins at 15 minutes after high water at Plymouth (devonport). The north-east going stream reaches a speed of 1.3 knots at springs. The south-west going stream reaches a speed of 1.1 knots at springs.
Plymouth Sound, Cattewater: The east going stream begins at 6 hours and 15 minutes after high water at Plymouth (devonport). The west going stream begins at 5 minutes after high water at Plymouth (devonport). The east going stream reaches a speed of 0.5 knots at springs. The west going stream reaches a speed of 0.7 knots at springs.
Plymouth Sound, North of Drake's Island: The east going stream begins at 33 minutes after high water at Plymouth (devonport). The west going stream begins at 5 hours and 50 minutes before high water at Plymouth (devonport). The east going stream reaches a speed of 1.4 knots at springs. The west going stream reaches a speed of 1.9 knots at springs.. The flow turns about the same time as in The Narrows, so that the flood comes in through both breakwater entrances and flows both west and north of the Island into the Narrows and the ebb does the opposite. More detail in the tidal atlas NP221, although the flows are relatively simple.
Plymouth Sound: The Bridge: The flow accelerates over shallows running south west from Drake's Island to the mainland known as 'The Bridge' The south south-east going stream begins at 50 minutes before high water at Plymouth (devonport). The north north-west going stream begins at 6 hours before high water at Plymouth (devonport). The south south-east going stream reaches a speed of 2.4 knots at springs. The north north-west going stream reaches a speed of 1.6 knots at springs.
Tamar River, The Narrows: The south south-east going stream begins at 30 minutes before high water at Plymouth (devonport). The north north-west going stream begins at 5 hours and 30 minutes before high water at Plymouth (devonport). The south south-east going stream reaches a speed of 2.8 knots at springs. The north north-west going stream reaches a speed of 1.3 knots at springs. The flow through this constriction generates eddies and confused flows, especially around Devil's Point on river left. It is best to stay river right.
Eddy at Devils Point: During the in-going tidal stream there is a strong eddy off Devil's Point.
Tamar River, Hamoaze: The south south-east going stream begins at 15 minutes before high water at Plymouth (devonport). The north north-west going stream begins at 5 hours and 30 minutes before high water at Plymouth (devonport). The south south-east going stream reaches a speed of 1.3 knots at springs. The north north-west going stream reaches a speed of 0.8 knots at springs.
Lynher River: The north-east going stream begins at at high water at Plymouth (devonport). The south-west going stream begins at 6 hours and 10 minutes before high water at Plymouth (devonport). The flow reaches a speed of 1 knots at springs.
River Tamar, Tamar Bridge: The north going stream begins at 5 hours and 30 minutes before high water at Plymouth (devonport). The south going stream begins at 15 minutes before high water at Plymouth (devonport). The north going stream reaches a speed of 1.7 knots at springs. The south going stream reaches a speed of 1.3 knots at springs.. The river flow can alter these times by 30 minutes in either direction.
Tamar River, Warleigh Point: The north north-east going stream begins at 6 hours after high water at Plymouth (devonport). The south south-west going stream begins at 30 minutes before high water at Plymouth (devonport). The north north-east going stream reaches a speed of 1.7 knots at springs. The south south-west going stream reaches a speed of 1.2 knots at springs.. Flows are strongly influenced by the river flow, which can change these times by 30 minutes.
Penlee Point: The north going stream begins at 5 hours before high water at Plymouth (devonport). The south going stream begins at at high water at Plymouth (devonport). The flow reaches a speed of 1 knots at springs.. A tide race forms here.
Eddy at Penlee Point: An eddy can form to the west of Penlee Point on the south-going stream.
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 2 hours and 30 minutes after high water at Plymouth (devonport). The flow reaches a speed of 1 knots at springs. A tide race forms here that can form breaking waves a kilometre offshore.
Eddy to west of Rame Head: An eddy, flowing south, forms to the west of Rame Head on the west-going tide. As a result, the flow here is always southerly.
QHM Plymouth: Queen’s Harbour Master, Plymouth may be contacted on VHF channel 14. The port has 2 control stations, Flag Port Control Station (Flag) which oversees movements in the Hamoaze, and the Longroom Port Control Station (Longroom) which manages the Sound.
Options for access become somewhat limited around the Salcombe area. The small roads round these parts make shuttles take much longer than you might expect. This is a good area for out-and-back trips!
Strete Gate: (SX 836 457) g Decent sized car park close to the beach.
Torcross: (SX 825 423) g Limited parking and awkward access to the beach.
Hallsands: (SX 818 388) g Free parking and a short carry across the beach
Near East Portlemouth: (SX 744 387) g There are few good access points on the east side of the Kingswear Estuary. It is possible to access a beach along a footpath that leaves the road just to the north of the public toilets near the ferry. It may be possible to leave a car carefully parked here. Avoid National Trust Car at the end of the road - expensive and unhelpful. A small annual licence for Salcombe harbour is required (£6 in 2023), available from the Harbour Office 01548 843791) or Batson Boatpark
Kingsbridge: (SX 735 440) g Public slipway near car park, usable at least 2 hours either side of high water.
Salcombe North Sands: (SX 730 382) g Large car park behind the beach. A small annual licence for Salcombe harbour is required (£6 in 2023), available from the Harbour Office 01548 843791) or Batson Boatpark
Hope Cove: (SX 675 402) g There is a slipway at the south end of Hope Cove, but more parking is available at Mouthwell Sands, just to the north.
Bantham Beach: (SX 662 437) g Long carry, especially at low water. Can be surf on this beach.
Bantham: (SX 668 438) g Ferry landing place. Steep track to car park.
Aveton Gifford: (SX 691 472) g Car park with slipway. The road beside the river floods at high water.
Wonwell Beach: (SX 617 472) g Limited parking.
Mothecombe Beach: (SX 614 476) g Parking is a steep and a long walk up the hill.
Bridgend (Newton Ferrers): (SX 555 482) g Public slipway, dries 2 hours either side of low water.
Wembury: (SX 517 485) g A reasonably sized car park. Carry down steep steps to the beach - an awkward carry especially at low water.
Bovisand beach: (SX 492 506) g Significant carry to the car park.
Plymouth: Elphinstone car park: (SX 483 538) g Large car park with slipway, which is free to use. Provides access to the water at most states of the tide, but at low water springs, the slipway flattens out and becomes mud for a distance of approximately 30 metres.
Calstock: (SX 435 685) g Slipway and public pontoon near the Tamar Inn.
Cawsand: (SX 435 502) g The road terminates at a slipway onto the beach. Drop boats here (or in the nearby square) before parking in the large car village car park.
Salcombe – Batson Creek Slipway*: (SX 741 395) g Wide slipway is adjacent to paid car park (if you arrive early). Extensive yachting facilities and commercial fishing fleet are located here. For SUP/kayaks a small annual licence is required (£6 in 2023), available from the nearby harbour master’s office (01548 843791).
Bigbury main car park*: (SX 651 442) g Large paid car park above sandy beach opposite Burgh Island. Trolley/carry 50m down steep concrete access road to sandy beach. May need to carry up to 250m further at low tide to reach the sea.
Bigbury Folly Hill*: (SX 653 442) g Small parking area to side of road. Arrive early to park here. Trolley/carry 60m down path which links to RNLI supported sandy beach swimming area. May need to carry 200m further to reach the sea at low tide.
Challaborough Bay*: (SX 649 449) g Small car park by beach.
Plymouth, Oreston Slipway*: (SX 500 536) g Public slipway with adjacent free parking area.
Mount Batten Main Slipway*: (SX 489 532) g Public slipway, free to use, reached by driving through waterspouts centre boat park. There is a large public car park located on the seaward side of Lawrence Road and there is also limited on street parking nearby. Provides access to the water during most states of the tide, the bottom of the slip is visible when the sea level drops to 1.3 metres.
Mount Batten north west slipway*: (SX 487 534) g Public slipway, free to use. Accessed by a private road, users are permitted to park for up to 45 minutes to launch boats. Large public car park located on the seaward side of Lawrence Road and limited on street parking. Provides access to the water during all states of the tide.
Plymouth, Mutton Cove*: (SX 452 540) g Small drying harbour with public slipway and free car park. Best 2 hours either side of high water, but may be usable 3-4 hours from high water.
Plymouth, Richmond Walk*: (SX 458 539) g Small slipway, with some adjacent parking. Provides access to the water at most states of the tide.
Plymouth, Saltash Passage slipway*: (SX 437 586) g Public slipway located in small boatyard, provides access to the water at all states of the tide. Be aware of restrictions around MoD properties and vessels if paddling from here. Limited parking along the street to the south. Car park 400m to the east, up the hill and over the railway.
Plymouth, Saltash Ferry Slipway*: (SX 433 587) g Free car park to north. Car ferry ceased when Tamar
bridge opened in 1961. There is also another slipway on the north side of the road bridge.
River Tamar, Cotehele Quay Slipway*: (SX 424 680) g House and riverside belong to National Trust. Use paid lower car park and trolley/carry to slipway on River Tamar.