Approaches to Dartmouth
All photographs copyright CNH. Please ask if you wish to use them and please acknowledge the source.
The entrance is one third of the way from Berry Head to Start Point, just to the West of the conspicuous Daymark on the hills above, and is marked by a Port Red Can (Homestone), and, further in, a Starboard Green Conical (Castle Ledge). There is deep water at all states of the tide and no obstructions in the fairway.
From the East:
Keep 0.5 miles offshore between Berry Head and the entrance to avoid all offlying rocks, and south of the two South Cardinal Marks marking the Mew Stone and the submerged but shallow West Rock, then turn just North of West for Castle Ledge Buoy.
From the South West:
In heavy seas keep South of the Skerries Buoy (North East of Start Point ) then turn due North until you see the Port Hand Homestone Buoy. Continue due North to the mid point between the Castles, one on each side of the river.
In the Entrance (known as The Range) there can be steep seas in a South to South Easterly wind but rarely impossible unless Force 9 or above.
Sailing in through the castles is very difficult due to wind baffling at the narrowest point.
Above the Castles:
Keep to the middle of the fairway where there is plenty of depth, turning North West between yacht moorings on both sides of the river until you see the Royal Dart YC on your right. Beware (and give way to) the two ferries crossing the narrowest point.
Very little large traffic, occasional small cruise ship, lots of yachts and motor boats, some fishing boats, the ferries, racing on a Wednesday evening, 1-1.5 knot tides.
Temporary at the RDYC pontoon while visiting the club (visiting yachtsmen welcome) but no mooring overnight.
Port hand Dartmouth side on town pontoons (attached to shore) just above the ferry.
Starboard Kingswear side on the visitors pontoon of the Darthaven marina, or in the middle on your own hook to the starboard or Kingswear side of the big yellow mooring buoys.
Lots of restaurants, shops, pontoon berthing and safe sheltered anchorage all in deep water. 3 good marinas, craning out at Darthaven Marina, (starboard side just above lower ferry) and Noss Marina (1 mile further up river on starboard side), repair and chandlery facilities.
Completely sheltered area of beautiful river navigable for 6 miles (at high tide) to Totnes.
Showers at RDYC and Marinas, food at bar RDYC.
Charts 1634 or 2253.
Way Points:
Skerries Buoy 50o 16.30' N, 3o 33.78'W
Homestone Buoy 50o 19.58' N, 3o 33.50' W
More Information: Royal Dart Yacht Club.
Photos and official pilotage information: Dartmouth harbour.
page by courtesy Norman Diodge
Approaches to Dartmouth
All photographs copyright CNH. Please ask if you wish to use them and please acknowledge the source.