The Bag (Salcombe) Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Salcombe Harbour, Salcombe estuary, South Pool anchorage
Salcombe is one of the most fashionable sailing destinations in England — a picturesque estuary town on the South Devon coast with a thriving sailing scene, excellent restaurants, and some of the best lobster and crab fishing in England. The inner estuary, known as 'The Bag', provides near-perfect all-weather shelter in a beautiful wooded valley. The famous Salcombe bar at the entrance (0.3m LAT — dries in places) requires careful timing on approach, particularly in onshore conditions where breaking seas can make the bar dangerous. Once inside, the estuary is perfectly sheltered. The harbourmaster assigns anchorage areas; harbour dues apply. Salcombe is expensive in high summer — booking ahead for any facilities is essential.
Quick Reference
GPS
50°13.1'N 003°46.7'W
Depth (CD)
3–6m
Bottom
sand, mud
Holding
GoodProtected From
N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW
Exposed To
None
Best Months
May, June, July, August, September
Fee
Harbour dues approx £12–20/night for anchored vessels (2025). Contact Salcombe Harbour on VHF Ch 14.
Permit
No
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
90m radius in The Bag to allow for tidal swing on a 4.5m spring range. Actual depth at HW reaches 7.5–10.5m in the anchoring zone — use 7:1 scope minimum, giving 52–73m of rode. The estuary is congested with mooring trots and vessels swing in different directions depending on whether the tide or wind is dominant — allow generous swinging room and monitor for overtaking vessels on spring tides. Old mooring chains on the bottom in some areas; use a trip line. Reduce to 75m in neaps with settled conditions.
Set this in Safety Anchor Alarm — FreeThe Anchorage
Anchor in 3–6m (CD) in the wide pool known as 'The Bag' — the inner estuary above Salcombe town. Sand and mud bottom with generally good holding, though there are occasional foul patches from old mooring chains. The Bag provides almost complete all-round shelter — the estuary walls and surrounding hills block swell and wind from all directions. Tidal range approximately 4.5m springs at Salcombe — actual depths at HW are 7.5–10.5m. The Harbour Master (VHF Ch 14) controls the mooring field and will assign anchoring areas. Harbour dues apply.
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 The Bag (Salcombe): primarily sand and mud. Deploy 7:1 scope minimum (42m at 6m 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, CQR.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Set GPS anchor alarm to 90m radius. 90m radius in The Bag to allow for tidal swing on a 4.5m spring range. Actual depth at HW reaches 7.5–10.5m in the anchoring zone — use 7:1 scope minimum, giving 52–73m of rode. The estuary is congested with mooring trots and vessels swing in different directions depending on whether the tide or wind is dominant — allow generous swinging room and monitor for overtaking vessels on spring tides. Old mooring chains on the bottom in some areas; use a trip line. Reduce to 75m in neaps with settled conditions.
June–September. Salcombe is one of England's most popular sailing destinations and is extremely busy in July and August — expect limited anchorage space and harbour dues. May, June and September are more relaxed. In summer the estuary can feel like a marina. The bar makes it inadvisable as a night-arrival port in any doubtful conditions — plan to arrive in daylight on a rising tide.
Navigation Hazards
- Salcombe bar — 0.3m LAT, dries at extreme spring LW; breaks dangerously in onshore swell over F4 — never attempt entry in onshore conditions above F3/F4
- Very congested anchorage in July–August — mooring trots and anchored boats make swinging room extremely tight; arrive early (before 14:00) for a spot
- Old mooring chains and debris on bottom in parts of The Bag — use a trip line on your anchor; fouled anchors are common
- Strong tidal current on spring ebb can exceed 2 knots through the estuary — allow for this when manoeuvring to anchor
- Ferry and water taxi traffic between Salcombe and East Portlemouth runs continuously in season — keep clear of ferry lanes
Rules & Regulations
- Permit: No special permit required
- Anchoring fee: Harbour dues approx £12–20/night for anchored vessels (2025). Contact Salcombe Harbour on VHF Ch 14.
- Mooring buoys: Available — fee may apply; contact harbour authority
- Restrictions: The Salcombe bar (0.3m LAT) — do NOT attempt entry in onshore winds above F4 or with swell over 0.5m; seek Dartmouth (14nm east) as alternative. Speed limit 8 knots in the estuary, 5 knots in upper reaches. Do not anchor in the Harbourmaster's designated fairway.
- 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: Available
- Fuel: Available
- Restaurant: Excellent restaurants and cafes in Salcombe town — the Tides Reach, Winking Prawn (East Portlemouth), the Island Cruising Club. Fresh local lobster, crab and mackerel available from the quay.
- Provisions: Available nearby
- Wi-Fi: Available
Skipper's Tips
- Arrive before 14:00 in July and August — The Bag fills up fast and late arrivals are directed to less sheltered outer anchorages
- Contact Salcombe Harbour on VHF Ch 14 before entry — they will advise on bar conditions and direct you to an appropriate anchorage area
- Row or take the ferry to East Portlemouth for the best fish restaurant in the estuary — the Winking Prawn is legendary among south coast sailors
- The bar at Salcombe can look calm from seaward yet break dangerously — always call Salcombe Harbour for current bar conditions before attempting entry in any swell
- The head of the estuary (Kingsbridge Creek, 4nm) is accessible at HW and gives superb shelter — dry out against the quay at Kingsbridge for a complete change of scene
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 The Bag (Salcombe)
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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