UK & Ireland — Scotland East & North Sea

Blakeney Harbour

52°57.7'N 001°00.9'E · Blakeney (Norfolk) (0nm)

1–4m

Depth

Excellent

Holding

55m

Alarm radius

Low

Crowd level

Blakeney is one of the finest and most atmospheric of the North Norfolk tidal harbours — a medieval wool port now a National Trust village and nature reserve, accessible only near HW across a shifting sandbar. Blakeney Point (a 6nm shingle spit extending west from the harbour entrance) is one of England's most celebrated nature reserves — it holds England's largest grey seal colony (over 5,000 pups born here each autumn) and in summer is home to significant tern colonies (common, Sandwich and little terns). Blakeney village has a beautiful medieval guildhall, excellent gastropubs and a long history of smuggling. The National Trust owns Blakeney Point and much of the surrounding saltmarsh. Entry requires careful pilotage and calling the harbour master — but the experience of lying at anchor in the creek behind Blakeney Point, surrounded by seals and seabirds, is one of the finest in English coastal sailing.

Best Months

MayJuneJulyAugustSeptember

Anchor Zones

Blakeney Channel — inner anchorage east of the quay

Excellent

1–4m · Alarm: 55m

Anchor in 1–3m (CD) in the sheltered channel between Blakeney quay and Blakeney Point. Deep mud — excellent holding. Near-complete all-round shelter once inside the channel behind the Point. Tidal range approximately 5.0–5.5m springs. The approach channel over the bar (depths 0.3–1.0m CD, varying seasonally) is only passable near HW. Call Blakeney Harbour Master (VHF Ch 16) before entry for current bar depth and approach waypoints — the channel shifts regularly. A mooring launch may direct you to a visitor buoy.

Setting Your Anchor Alarm

55m radius for the sheltered creek. Excellent all-round shelter inside the channel. With 5.0–5.5m tidal range at springs, HW depths reach 5.3–9.5m — generous water for anchoring. Strong tidal streams in the narrow channel at springs (2–3 kt) — set the anchor firmly. The key danger is in getting in and out across the shifting bar; always call the Harbour Master first.

Recommended radius: 55m

Hazards & Warnings

  • !Shifting entrance bar — depth 0.3–1.0m (CD) varying after storms; ALWAYS call Harbour Master (VHF Ch 16) before entry for current conditions and approach waypoints; charts alone are insufficient
  • !Tidal range 5.0–5.5m springs — strong tidal streams in channel (2–3 kt at springs); set anchor firmly
  • !North Sea onshore swell — in N or NW conditions the bar can have breaking waves; entry not possible in onshore conditions
  • !Strong NE gales — North Norfolk is a lee shore in NE gales; ensure anchor is well set and have an exit plan
  • !Blakeney Eye and offshore banks — extensive sandbanks to the E/NE; navigate only with current chart (Admiralty 108)

Skipper's Tips

  • ✓Call Blakeney Harbour Master on VHF Ch 16 before attempting entry — they are expert in the current channel position and bar depth; this call is not optional
  • ✓Blakeney Point grey seal boat trips run from the quay (Beans Boats, seasonal) — the seal colony in autumn (Oct–Jan) is world-class; over 5,000 pups born each year
  • ✓The White Horse at Blakeney is outstanding — book dinner in advance; excellent local seafood and game
  • ✓The approach walk along Blakeney Point (6nm shingle spit) is one of England's great coastal walks — accessible from Cley-next-the-Sea or by boat from the harbour
  • ✓Holt (4nm inland) has excellent food shops, antique shops and a narrow-gauge railway — worth a bus trip for provisions and a change of scene

Facilities

RestaurantProvisions

Anchoring Rules

Permit:
Not required
Fee:
Free to anchor. Visitor moorings available — mooring launch collects dues (approx. £10–15/night). Contact Blakeney Harbour Master VHF Ch 16.
Restrictions:
Entry only near HW on the bar — ALWAYS call Harbour Master before entry for current bar depth and channel waypoints; the channel shifts with each storm. National Nature Reserve — Blakeney Point NNR: no landing on the tern colony (May–August). Grey seal viewing only from boats — do not disturb. Speed limit in the channel.

Sleep Safely at Blakeney Harbour

Set your anchor alarm to 55m. UK tidal ranges mean your boat swings — Safe Anchor Alarm keeps watch through the night.

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