UK & Ireland — Scotland East & North Sea

Eyemouth

55°52.4'N 002°05.2'W · Eyemouth (Berwickshire) (0nm)

3–7m

Depth

Good

Holding

80m

Alarm radius

Low

Crowd level

Eyemouth is Berwickshire's principal fishing port — an active, working harbour community straddling the border between Scotland and the sea. The town has a remarkable maritime history; the Great Eyemouth Fishing Disaster of 1881 (189 local fishermen drowned in a sudden gale) is memorialised in the Eyemouth Museum. The nearby St Abbs Head National Nature Reserve (3nm north) is one of Scotland's most spectacular and accessible cliff reserves — home to huge seabird colonies (guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes, puffins) and with outstanding sea diving. The Berwickshire coast between Eyemouth and Berwick-upon-Tweed (5nm south) is among the most dramatic coastal scenery on the east of England/Scotland.

Best Months

JuneJulyAugustSeptember

Anchor Zones

Eyemouth Bay — anchorage south of the harbour entrance

Good

3–7m · Alarm: 80m

Anchor in 3–6m (CD) in the bay south of Eyemouth harbour entrance, in the shelter of Eyemouth Head. Clean sand — good holding. Tidal range approximately 4.0–4.5m springs. Exposed to the east — in any NE or E swell the anchorage is uncomfortable or untenable. The inner harbour is an active fishing port; consult Harbour Master (VHF Ch 12) for visitor berths. Eyemouth is the last Scottish harbour before the English border (5nm south).

Setting Your Anchor Alarm

80m radius for the open bay. The east-facing bay is exposed to North Sea easterlies. In settled W/SW conditions the bay offers a comfortable anchorage. Tidal range 4.0–4.5m springs — actual depths at HW reach 7–11.5m; ensure adequate scope. St Abbs Head (3nm N) has strong tidal races at springs — time the passage of the headland carefully.

Recommended radius: 80m

Hazards & Warnings

  • !East exposure — anchorage exposed to NE and E swells; monitor forecast closely; move into harbour if easterly is forecast
  • !St Abbs Head overfalls (3nm N) — tidal race at springs; transit 1 hour before local HW for best conditions
  • !Tidal range 4.0–4.5m springs — plan scope for HW depths
  • !North Sea northeasters — build rapidly and are particularly dangerous on this coast; always have a weather exit plan

Skipper's Tips

  • ✓St Abbs Head National Nature Reserve is one of the finest seabird cliff reserves in Britain — walk the headland from St Abbs village (2nm N of Eyemouth); a remarkable 30-minute coastal walk
  • ✓Giacopazzi's ice cream has been made in Eyemouth since 1900 — an Italian immigrant family tradition; outstanding quality
  • ✓The Eyemouth Museum (maritime heritage) is small but moving — the 1881 disaster exhibit is a remarkable piece of Scottish maritime history
  • ✓Holy Island (Lindisfarne) is 25nm south — a classic east coast cruising target (plan tidal access carefully)

Facilities

WaterFuelRestaurantProvisions

Anchoring Rules

Permit:
Not required
Fee:
Free to anchor in the bay. Harbour dues for inner harbour berths — contact Harbour Master VHF Ch 12.
Restrictions:
Active fishing port — fishing vessels have priority in the harbour and approaches. Keep clear of the harbour entrance approach channel. St Abbs Head National Nature Reserve — no disturbance of nesting seabirds.

Sleep Safely at Eyemouth

Set your anchor alarm to 80m. UK tidal ranges mean your boat swings — Safe Anchor Alarm keeps watch through the night.

Download Safe Anchor Alarm — Free
← All Scotland East & North Sea Anchorages