It’s March! Time to plan some summer sailing adventures in and around Plymouth. With the clocks springing forward at the end of March, now is the time to finish that winter jobs list on your sailing yacht or motorboat and get it ready and stocked up for some action outside the lock gates.
Sutton Harbour Marina is ideally situated on the border of beautiful Devon and Cornwall with a fantastic selection of bays, coves, beaches and rivers to explore. Here’s a few easy day trips to start planning.
JENNYCLIFF BAY
This is a lovely quiet sheltered bay when it’s blowing a north easterly, just a short hop from Sutton Harbour Marina. Sail past the Mount Batten Peninsula and around the Mount Batten Pier past the beach and there you’ll find shelter from the cliffs.
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You can drop the anchor and take the tender over to the beach for a picnic or barbeque. Just watch the anchor spot and mind the wreck near the green channel marker. You can get in close and explore the rock pools at low tide, or walk up to the café and join the South West coastal path around to Bovisand Bay that has a café and 2 golden sandy beaches with sensational views across Plymouth Sound.
THE RIVER YEALM
A stunning river in the South Hams to explore and enjoy. Allow about an hour to head out east of Plymouth Sound and then an hour and a half to round the entrance to the Yealm. It can be a little tricky on a big spring tide with a lot of water ebbing or flooding so take care when you enter and turn around to pick up your chosen buoy.
In a strong south westerly wind, the entrance can be very hazardous to negotiate due to the bar. Newton Ferrers is to the north of the creek and Noss Mayo is to the south. Cellar Bay is a picture-perfect anchorage, free of charge, just inside the entrance with a small beach and amazing views.
Once you are in and settled, soak up the beautiful scenery surrounding you with the rolling hills, gorgeous houses and quaint cottages. If you’re having a night off from galley duties, take the tender to one of the great pubs including The Ship, The Dolphin or The Swan. If you fancy stretching your legs, there is a breath-taking clifftop walk called The Warren which takes you on a 90-minute loop. There is a lively yacht club and The River Yealm Regatta takes place in August with fun for all the family including rowing, barbeques and fireworks.
CAWSAND AND KINGSAND
Over to the west just beyond the Plymouth Breakwater, you’ll reach the county of Cornwall and the Rame Peninsula. It could take a couple of hours to sail or less to motor over to the small coves of Cawsand and Kingsand with their quintessentially ‘chocolate box’ setting.
Drop the anchor for lunch onboard and then take advantage of the calm waters in a south westerly and hop onto your paddle board or kayak for a spot of water sports action. Pop in to one of the lovely bars and cafes including the newly renovated The Bay Bar & Restaurant, or The Devonport Inn that offers a great seafood menu.
Happy and safe sailing!
