Anchoring Zones

Helford River has 2 distinct anchoring zones.

Zone 1: Porthnavas Creek — upper wooded creek

Depth: 3–5m (Chart Datum)
Bottom: mud
Holding: Excellent
Protected from: N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW
Alarm radius: 75m

Anchor in 3–4m (CD) in Porthnavas Creek, the northern arm of the Helford. Outstanding soft mud — all-round shelter in a beautiful wooded creek. Keep clear of the oyster farm buoys (Duchy of Cornwall oyster lease) that occupy much of the central creek. Dinghy ashore to the Porthnavas hard. Tidal range approximately 4.5m springs. The creek dries at its upper end — anchor in the pool at the bend. One of the most tranquil anchorages in Cornwall.

Zone 2: Helford Village — south shore anchorage

Depth: 3–5m (Chart Datum)
Bottom: mud
Holding: Excellent
Protected from: N, NE, E, SE, S, NW
Exposed to: SW, W
Alarm radius: 75m

Anchor off Helford Village on the south bank in 3–5m (CD). Soft mud holding. The Shipwrights Arms pub is directly ashore — dinghy to the beach at HW. Some swell from the W/SW reaches this side in onshore conditions. Visitor moorings sometimes available in the creek centre — pick up a buoy if available.

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 Helford River: primarily mud. Deploy 7:1 scope minimum (35m at 5m CD — allow for HW tidal addition). Motor astern firmly to set the anchor before relying on it.

Set your GPS anchor alarm to 75m 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 75m radius. 75m radius suitable for both Porthnavas and Helford Village zones. The creek provides exceptional shelter — in Porthnavas the anchorage is genuinely all-round protected. With 4.5m spring tidal range, actual depth at HW reaches 7.5–9.5m — plan rode for 7:1 scope at HW springs (minimum 52–67m). The creek narrows significantly above the anchorage; reduce alarm to 60m if anchored close to the bend. Current in the narrow channel can run 1.5–2 knots at peak springs.

May–September. The river is at its best in June and early July before the peak holiday season crowds arrive. August is busy with both pleasure craft and local boat traffic. September is quieter with superb autumn light. Winter access is possible in calm settled spells but provision carefully — no facilities in the river.

Navigation Hazards

Oyster farm buoys fill much of Porthnavas Creek — navigate carefully in daylight only and anchor clear of all buoys and lines
The river bar at the entrance shoals to 1.2m (CD) — enter and exit on a rising tide if draft exceeds 1.0m; consult Admiralty Chart 147
Tidal stream in the narrows below Helford Passage can run 2 knots at springs — ferry glide across the stream
Atlantic swell wraps into the outer river mouth at Helford Passage in SW winds — anchor further up in Porthnavas for best shelter
No fuel or provisions in the river — provision fully in Falmouth (8nm) before entering

Rules & Regulations

Permit: No special permit required
Anchoring fee: Free to anchor outside mooring areas. Visitor moorings: approx £12–18/night (contact Helford River SC on VHF Ch 12 or at the mooring launch).
Mooring buoys: Available — fee may apply; contact harbour authority
Restrictions: Give the oyster farm buoys a wide berth — these are marked on chart and the lease is strictly enforced. Do not anchor within the oyster lease areas. Keep to the main channel on entry (the river shoals on both sides). Speed limit 6 knots in the river.
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: Falmouth town centre (8nm)
Restaurant: Shipwrights Arms at Helford Village — excellent food, accessible by dinghy at all states of tide. Budock Vean Hotel restaurant (Porthnavas Creek side, seasonal).
Provisions: None — nearest: Falmouth town centre (8nm)

Skipper's Tips

Book a table at the Shipwrights Arms before arrival — it's one of the most popular pub restaurants in Cornwall and fills quickly in summer; approach by dinghy from your anchorage
Porthnavas Creek offers more shelter than the main river — anchor near the bend in 3–4m and enjoy complete solitude midweek
The Helford oysters are sold from a boat in the creek in season — fresh Helford oysters at anchor are one of sailing's great pleasures
Enter the river on a rising tide if your draft exceeds 0.9m — the bar at the mouth has 1.2m (CD) and dries at extreme spring LW
From the anchorage, Frenchman's Creek (the inspiration for du Maurier's novel) is accessible by dinghy at HW — a magical detour

Helford River Anchorage Guide

Quick Reference