UK & Ireland — West Scotland

Tobermory

56°37.4'N 006°03.8'W · Tobermory (main port Mull) (0nm)

4–9m

Depth

Good

Holding

85m

Alarm radius

Busy

Crowd level

Tobermory is the most famous anchorage on Scotland's west coast and the main hub for cruising Mull and the surrounding islands. The colourful waterfront of painted Victorian buildings — familiar from the children's TV series 'Balamory' — creates one of Scotland's most photogenic harbours. The town has excellent provisions, chandlery, a distillery, restaurants and all services a cruising yacht needs. The bay provides reasonable all-weather shelter except in a strong westerly. The Harbour Authority manages visitor moorings and a small marina — contact VHF Ch 12. A legendary destination that every sailor on Scotland's west coast should visit.

Best Months

JuneJulyAugustSeptember

Anchor Zones

Main anchorage — south of ferry pier

Good

4–9m · Alarm: 85m

Anchor in 4–8m (CD) south of the CalMac ferry pier in the wide bay. Mud and sand bottom — generally good holding but the bay is busy and the bottom can be foul with old moorings and chain near the pier. Keep at least 50m clear of the ferry berth approach. Tidal range 3.8m springs. Many visitors prefer the Harbour Authority's yellow visitor moorings (contact by VHF Ch 12 or phone) — fees apply but give peace of mind in the busy season. Free anchoring is legal further out in the bay.

Setting Your Anchor Alarm

85m radius appropriate for the open bay anchorage. The bay opens to the W/NW — in a sustained westerly the anchorage becomes rolly and some swell enters. In these conditions, Loch Aline (17nm south on the Sound of Mull) offers better shelter. Old mooring chains on the bottom make a trip line advisable. Reduce to 70m on neap tides in settled conditions.

Recommended radius: 85m

Hazards & Warnings

!CalMac ferry operates regular crossings — keep well clear of the ferry berth and approach channel at all times
!Old mooring chains and ground tackle on the seabed — use a trip line; fouled anchors are common
!Bay is open to the W/NW — swell enters in sustained westerlies making anchoring uncomfortable; use a visitor mooring or seek alternative shelter
!Tidal range 3.8m springs — verify actual depth at anchor time using current tidal height
!Very busy July–August — arrive before 16:00 for best chance of a free anchorage spot or available mooring

Skipper's Tips

✓Call Tobermory Harbour Authority on VHF Ch 12 before arrival — they will direct you to a visitor mooring or anchorage spot
✓Tobermory Distillery tours are highly recommended — one of Scotland's oldest and most characterful malts
✓MacGochans pub has live music most evenings in summer and an excellent selection of Scottish ales and malts
✓Provisions: Co-op supermarket a short walk from the pier; chandlery at the harbour; fuel by arrangement
✓If the bay is rolly in a westerly, Salen Bay (10nm south, Sound of Mull) provides better protection from W winds

Facilities

WaterFuelRestaurantProvisionsWiFi

Anchoring Rules

Permit:: Not required
Fee:: Free to anchor. Visitor moorings: approx. £15–22/night (2025 rates). Contact Harbour Authority VHF Ch 12.
Restrictions:: Keep clear of CalMac ferry approach and berth. Harbour by-laws apply within the harbour limit. No anchoring in the designated ferry berth area. Contact Harbour Master on VHF Ch 12 on arrival for guidance.

Sleep Safely at Tobermory

Set your anchor alarm to 85m. UK tidal ranges mean your boat swings — Safe Anchor Alarm keeps watch through the night.

Download Safe Anchor Alarm — Free

← All West Scotland Anchorages