Cawsand Bay Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Cawsand anchorage, Plymouth Sound western shore, Kingsand anchorage
Cawsand Bay lies on the western shore of Plymouth Sound, sheltered behind Penlee Point and partially protected by Plymouth Breakwater from the south. The twin villages of Cawsand and Kingsand are among the most charming in Devon — a maze of narrow lanes, fishermen's cottages, and beach pubs that retain a genuine character. The anchorage offers good holding in fine sand with reasonable shelter from easterly weather and the S/SW sectors protected by the breakwater. In westerly conditions, the bay is exposed across Plymouth Sound — the anchorage in the Sound itself or Sutton Pool in Plymouth city centre are the alternatives. The Queen Anne Battery marina (3nm NE) provides full facilities.
Quick Reference
GPS
50°19.8'N 004°13.4'W
Depth (CD)
3–7m
Bottom
sand
Holding
GoodProtected From
N, NE, E, SE, S
Exposed To
W, NW, SW
Best Months
May, June, July, August, September
Fee
Free. Plymouth Sound anchorages are outside harbour dues area. Contact Plymouth Queen's Harbour Master VHF Ch 13 for guidance.
Permit
No
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
90m radius for the Cawsand Bay anchorage with a 4.7m spring tidal range. Actual depths at HW reach 7.7–11.7m — ensure 7:1 scope minimum (54–82m rode at HW springs). The sand holding requires thorough anchor setting — motor astern at 2 knots for 2 minutes to bed the anchor. In W or NW winds the bay is exposed and the anchorage can become uncomfortable; in these conditions move to the inner Plymouth Sound anchorages. Reduce to 75m on neap tides.
Set this in Safety Anchor Alarm — FreeThe Anchorage
Anchor in 3–6m (CD) off the twin villages of Cawsand and Kingsand on the western shore of Plymouth Sound. Fine sand bottom — good holding once anchor is well set. The Sound is large and Plymouth Breakwater (1.6nm to the E) provides protection from the S/SW. Cawsand Bay itself is sheltered from the E and NE by Penlee Point. Open to W and NW winds which have a significant fetch across Plymouth Sound. Tidal range approximately 4.7m springs in Plymouth. Contact Plymouth Queen's Harbour Master on VHF Ch 13 for guidance.
Setting Your Anchor
Check the current tidal height using UKHO Admiralty TotalTide or EasyTide before anchoring — with 4.8m springs at Falmouth (and up to 4.9m at Newlyn), the actual depth at HW is considerably greater than Chart Datum. Add the current tidal height to the CD depth shown on your chart to find the actual depth at your chosen spot.
Bottom at Cawsand Bay: primarily sand. Deploy 7:1 scope minimum (49m at 7m CD — allow for HW tidal addition). Motor astern firmly to set the anchor before relying on it.
Set your GPS anchor alarm to 90m radius before sleeping. Atlantic swell watch: even in settled conditions, check the MetOffice SW England inshore forecast and NAVTEX before turning in — fronts can arrive with 6–8 hours' notice and swell builds quickly in exposed anchorages.
Recommended anchor types: Rocna, Mantus, Delta.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Set GPS anchor alarm to 90m radius. 90m radius for the Cawsand Bay anchorage with a 4.7m spring tidal range. Actual depths at HW reach 7.7–11.7m — ensure 7:1 scope minimum (54–82m rode at HW springs). The sand holding requires thorough anchor setting — motor astern at 2 knots for 2 minutes to bed the anchor. In W or NW winds the bay is exposed and the anchorage can become uncomfortable; in these conditions move to the inner Plymouth Sound anchorages. Reduce to 75m on neap tides.
May–September. Best in settled easterly or northerly conditions. The approach to Plymouth Sound is well marked and straightforward from seaward — Plymouth is a primary passage port and always accessible. Cawsand Bay is a quieter alternative to Plymouth's busy marinas for those wanting to anchor rather than berth.
Navigation Hazards
- Naval vessel traffic from HMNB Devonport — warships and support vessels operate at all hours; monitor VHF Ch 13; give warships a wide berth
- W and NW winds expose the bay across Plymouth Sound — uncomfortable in any westerly above F4; seek shelter in Plymouth or Sutton Pool
- The Plymouth shipping lane passes through the Sound — commercial and ferry traffic; cross lanes at right angles
- Tidal range 4.7m springs — ensure scope is calculated for HW spring depth; check the local tide tables for Plymouth
- Plymouth Breakwater has rocks and shoals at its base — maintain at least 200m clearance when passing
Rules & Regulations
- Permit: No special permit required
- Anchoring fee: Free. Plymouth Sound anchorages are outside harbour dues area. Contact Plymouth Queen's Harbour Master VHF Ch 13 for guidance.
- Restrictions: Plymouth Sound is an active naval area — HMS Drake (HMNB Devonport) is adjacent; Naval vessels have right of way. Monitor VHF Ch 13 for naval movement advisories. Keep well clear of the Naval Dockyard to the NW. Plymouth Breakwater — do not anchor within 200m of the breakwater structure.
- Tidal predictions: UKHO Admiralty TotalTide / EasyTide (ukho.gov.uk) for Chart Datum tidal heights at this port.
- Coastguard: HMCG Falmouth MRCC — VHF Ch 16 at all times; safety broadcasts every 4 hours on Ch 16.
Facilities
- Fresh water: Not available — plan ahead
- Fuel: Not available at anchorage — nearest: Cawsand village (0nm)
- Restaurant: The Rising Sun pub in Cawsand and the Devon and Cornwall pub in Kingsand are both excellent beach pubs, accessible at all states of tide. Basic provisions from the village shops.
- Provisions: Available nearby
Skipper's Tips
- In easterly or northerly conditions Cawsand Bay is one of the most pleasant anchorages in Plymouth Sound — anchor in 4m sand and row ashore to the Rising Sun for local crab sandwiches
- The beach at Cawsand dries to fine sand at LW — perfect for children and a swim in settled summer weather
- Plymouth itself (QAB marina) is 4nm east across the Sound — use Cawsand as a quiet alternative when Plymouth is busy
- The view from Cawsand Bay across Plymouth Sound to Drake's Island is one of the finest maritime panoramas in England
- Mount Edgcumbe Country Park (directly behind Cawsand) has outstanding coastal walks — dinghy ashore and explore
A note on this guide: Always check current weather, NAVTEX/VHF bulletins, and UKHO Admiralty charts. Depths given to Chart Datum (LAT) — add current tidal height for actual depth. Use a GPS anchor alarm — never rely solely on a guide for navigational decisions.
Sleep peacefully at Cawsand Bay
Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position and alerts you the moment your boat drifts outside your set radius — essential in Cornwall & Devon where 4.8m spring tides require careful scope management and Atlantic swell can build overnight.
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