Dartmouth (Dart Estuary) Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Dartmouth harbour, River Dart anchorage, Kingswear Roads
Dartmouth is one of the finest natural harbours in England — a deep, wooded estuary guarded at its entrance by Dartmouth Castle (1481) and Kingswear Castle opposite. The River Dart offers excellent all-weather shelter throughout its length, from the dramatic castle entrance to the quiet village of Dittisham 4nm upstream. The Britannia Royal Naval College stands on the hill above the town. Dartmouth town has excellent facilities: full chandlery, boatyards, fuel, provisions and outstanding restaurants. The estuary's deep water (minimum 8m in the fairway) accommodates vessels of any draft. No bar to worry about — the entrance is straightforward in any weather once past the headlands. A consistently outstanding anchorage.
Quick Reference
GPS
50°21.1'N 003°34.2'W
Depth (CD)
4–8m
Bottom
mud
Holding
ExcellentProtected From
N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW
Exposed To
None
Best Months
May, June, July, August, September
Fee
Harbour dues approx £10–16/night for anchored vessels (2025). Contact Dartmouth Harbour Authority on VHF Ch 11.
Permit
No
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
90m radius for the main Dartmouth Roads anchorage on a 4.5m spring tidal range. Actual depths at HW reach 8.5–11.5m — ensure minimum 7:1 scope (60–80m rode at HW springs). The estuary current runs up to 2.5 knots on spring tides; boats swing differently depending on whether tide or wind is dominant, requiring generous swinging room. Set alarm at 90m to account for the full tidal swing arc. Reduce to 75m in neap conditions.
Set this in Safety Anchor Alarm — FreeAnchoring Zones
Dartmouth (Dart Estuary) has 2 distinct anchoring zones.
Zone 1: Dartmouth Roads — main anchorage above castle
- Depth: 4–8m (Chart Datum)
- Bottom: mud
- Holding: Excellent
- Protected from: N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW
- Alarm radius: 90m
Anchor in 4–7m (CD) in the wide roads above Dartmouth Castle, keeping clear of the main fairway and the extensive mooring trots on both banks. Excellent soft mud throughout — excellent holding for all anchor types. The estuary is deep and well sheltered from all directions; the wooded valley walls provide complete protection from Atlantic swell. Tidal range 4.5m springs at Dartmouth — actual depths at HW reach 8.5–11.5m. Dartmouth Harbour Authority (VHF Ch 11) manages the anchorage and collects dues (approx £10–16/night for anchored vessels).
Zone 2: Dittisham — upper river anchorage
- Depth: 3–6m (Chart Datum)
- Bottom: mud
- Holding: Excellent
- Protected from: N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW
- Alarm radius: 80m
Quieter anchorage 4nm upstream at the village of Dittisham. Soft mud, excellent holding, complete all-round shelter. The village is accessible by dinghy — the Ferry Boat Inn is one of Devon's finest waterside pubs. Slightly shallower than the main Roads; anchor in 3–5m (CD) off the village.
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 Dartmouth (Dart Estuary): primarily mud. Deploy 7:1 scope minimum (56m at 8m 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, Bruce.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Set GPS anchor alarm to 90m radius. 90m radius for the main Dartmouth Roads anchorage on a 4.5m spring tidal range. Actual depths at HW reach 8.5–11.5m — ensure minimum 7:1 scope (60–80m rode at HW springs). The estuary current runs up to 2.5 knots on spring tides; boats swing differently depending on whether tide or wind is dominant, requiring generous swinging room. Set alarm at 90m to account for the full tidal swing arc. Reduce to 75m in neap conditions.
May–September. Dartmouth is one of the most consistently satisfying anchorages on the south Devon coast — comfortable in almost all conditions due to its all-round shelter. The Royal Regatta in late August makes the anchorage extremely busy — arrive early or avoid the week entirely. September is often the best month — quieter, settled weather, and the wooded valley turns autumnal.
Navigation Hazards
- Cross-river car ferries (Higher and Lower ferry) operate continuously — they have right of way in their lanes; cross their tracks quickly and predictably on VHF Ch 11
- Naval vessel traffic from Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC) — warships and RIBs operate at speed; give way and monitor VHF Ch 11
- Tidal range 4.5m springs — plan scope for HW depth; spring tidal current runs 2.5 knots in the estuary — allow for this in swinging room
- Heavy vessel wash from river traffic during summer — a rolling anchorage at peak times; choose spot as far from the fairway as depths allow
- Start Point (6nm SE) and the Skerries Bank — avoid crossing in strong SW winds; overfalls over the bank can be significant
Rules & Regulations
- Permit: No special permit required
- Anchoring fee: Harbour dues approx £10–16/night for anchored vessels (2025). Contact Dartmouth Harbour Authority on VHF Ch 11.
- Mooring buoys: Available — fee may apply; contact harbour authority
- Restrictions: Keep strictly to the designated anchorage areas — the fairway must be kept clear for commercial ferries, the Dartmouth Higher and Lower ferry crossings, and naval vessels from BRNC. Speed limit 6 knots in the harbour. Anchor only in areas directed by Harbour Authority.
- 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 in Dartmouth — The Seahorse, Alf Resco's, Rockfish. The Ferry Boat Inn at Dittisham is outstanding. Full provisioning from Dartmouth Co-op and independent shops.
- Provisions: Available nearby
- Wi-Fi: Available
Skipper's Tips
- Call Dartmouth Harbour on VHF Ch 11 before anchoring — they are very helpful and will direct you to the best available space; harbour dues are well worth it for the facilities
- The Dittisham anchorage (4nm upstream) is quieter than the main Roads and the Ferry Boat Inn is one of the best waterside pubs in Devon — sail or motor up on a rising tide
- Dartmouth Castle at the entrance is one of England's finest medieval sea castles — well worth a dinghy trip ashore
- The Dartmouth Royal Regatta (late August) is one of the UK's premier sailing events — book ahead or plan to arrive well outside this week
- Anchor on the Dartmouth (west) bank side rather than Kingswear (east) side for easier access to town by dinghy
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 Dartmouth (Dart Estuary)
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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