The sailing season is upon us and we’re all hoping Easter will bring us some warmer weather and brighter days! If you’re thinking of going on a sailing holiday this Easter, Devon is a wonderful place to explore from the water as there’s so many delightful unspoilt stretches of coastline. Here’s some of our top tips for a sailing holiday in Devon…
Where to stay on a sailing holiday in Devon
Sutton Harbour Marina is a great base to stay for a sailing holiday in Devon, it’s perfectly positioned between Plymouth city centre and the Devon coast. Sutton Harbour sits adjacent to the historic Barbican quarter, which boasts a strong heritage of maritime adventure with its cobbled streets that line the harbourside and more than 200 listed buildings.
Sutton Harbour Marina offers visitor berthing for your sailing holiday whether it be a long weekend or a few weeks, you won’t find a better place to berth your boat to explore the Devon coastline. Sailing yacht owners are welcome with their skippers and crew offering a perfect haven to berth behind Sutton Lock. Britain’s Ocean City has many events and festivals always taking place and there’s plenty of great places to eat, drink and be entertained, the central location is popular all year round, so it’s a good idea to secure your berth at the marina as soon as possible.
Best places to sail from Sutton Harbour Marina
Burgh Island
Whilst on the passage from Plymouth to Salcombe, crossing the Salcombe Sand Bar, you’ll come across Burgh Island, separated from the mainland by a tidal causeway and famous for its art deco style hotel (a favourite of Agatha Christie). This is a real gem on the South Devon coastline, anchor for lunch, explore the ruined village of Hallsands and visit cosy coves like Elender.
River Yealm
Make your way up the mouth of the River Yealm and anchor up at the secluded Cellar Bay, a perfect swimming spot in settled weather, and an ideal picnic spot. On a rising tide you can follow the meandering river up the creek to Noss Mayo, where you can tie up alongside the pub at high water and enjoy a beverage and the many delights this place has to offer.
Cawsand Bay
This is a really popular anchorage with plenty of space, just off the twin villages of kingsand and Cawsand. In its sheltered position it’s a lovely place to enjoy a lunchtime or overnight stop. There’s lots of room to land on the beach and sample food and drink from one of the many pubs. You’re only a few miles away from Plymouth, but this bay feels like a different world, it’s so tucked away on the peninsula!
Hope Cove
This beautiful coastal sanctuary is the perfect place to relax and unwind on your sailing holiday. It was once a favourite haunt for smugglers, but is now a charming Devon holiday destination. With two sandy beaches it’s great for families to visit with the picturesque fishing village easily accessible with its collection of cob or stone cottages, boasting thatched roofs around a tiny square. Hope Cove has recently been the location for the BBC Drama, The Coroner.
Barn Pool
An attractive little bay nestled beneath the grandeur of the National Trust’s Mount Edgcumbe Estate. You can anchor close to the shelving beach where it’s only a couple of minutes walk to the Edgcumbe Arms Pub. A lovely place to stop for lunch and a great place to spot the warships leaving and returning to Plymouth dockyard. There’s so many wonderful coastal gems to visit when enjoying a sailing holiday in Devon. We hope we’ve given you some inspiring sailing destinations if you’re planning to get out on the water this Easter.
To find out all of the Sutton Harbour Marina berthing facilities click here
