3 Scilly Isles voyage

Boarding will take place from 17:00 on the Town Jetty in the middle of town. There is long term parking available at the park and ride for those who want to drive to Dartmouth and return by public transport.  Perhaps the most exciting way to arrive are by train changing from the main line to the steam railway at Paignton for Kingswear and then over on the ferry to the Town Jetty. Following your safety briefing we will be serving dinner on board and there is time to get to know your fellow guests.

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We depart Dartmouth and head north into Torbay to find a prime spot to anchor and watch the spectacular air display over the bay.  We hope to berth overnight in the busy fishing port of Brixham but may anchor in one of the pretty bays nearby.

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Time and tide wait for no man so the rest of the voyage is strongly influenced by the tide times.  Fortunately they are in our favour in the late mornings and afternoons so no super early starts and arrivals in time for a civilised dinner.

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The fist day takes us from Brixham around Berry Head and Start Point to anchor in the pretty estuary of Kingsbridge  above Salcombe.  Leaving at around 10:00 we have plenty of time to sail down Start Bay to arrive just as the tide starts to make over the shallow bar into the inlet at around 13;00. We can run guests ashore in Boo our tender to explore the trendy town of Salcombe or drop you on the beaches opposite for a sea swim in the clean flood tide water.  Dinner will always be available on board.

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Another 10:00 start takes us out of the estuary past Bolt Head and across the bay past the Eddystone Lighthouse to the Fowey River and its pretty eponymous town again arriving around 17:00.  An early dinner and a run ashore to the charming pubs of this famous trading and smuggling town is well worthwhile.  But remember don't overdo it, getting back aboard from a small tender requires a steady head and foot.

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Next Fowey to Falmouth or Carrick Roads to be more precise.  Leaving at around 11:00 we should be in the Roads or estuary by 17:00 . We will motor a little up the Fal to a river anchorage to enjoy the beauty and tranquillity of the Cornish countryside. A contrast to the next two days when we will set off into the fringes of the Atlantic, first around The Lizard to berth overnight amongst the fishing fleet in Newlyn and then out past Lands End and the Wolf Rock lighthouse  to the anchor off St Marys in the Scilly Isles arriving around 17:00.

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We have a rest day in St Mary's where you can explore the islands by foot bike and ferry while the crew take a short break.

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The following days will be spent exploring the islands on Snark, in the tender and on foot or swimming. It rather depends on the weather and your preferences.  After which we will set off back across the seas to the bustling fishing port of Newlyn, a six hour passage.  The tides dictate this will start around 12:00 arriving at 17:30 allowing for some favourable tide pushing us along.

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The next leg takes us to Falmouth to the Falmouth Classics Regatta, the largest and best of the classic yacht and traditional working boat regattas on the south coast.  We will leave Newlyn around 12:30 arriving 18:00 with some fair tide.  Snark will be one of the biggest boats attending a bit big for the Town Pontoon so we will use one of the Pilot buoys in the harbour and get too and from using our tender or the water taxi. It is worth spending some time ashore where there is a real buzz in the evenings with sailors and the numerous shanty groups singing in pubs, cafes and town square stages.  There is also a fascinating maritime museum which hosts special events and of course some excellent harbour side pubs and eateries.

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After a day in Falmouth we will set straight off across the bay to anchor at Corsands or in the mouth of the Yealm, depending on the winds. The major hurdle on the last day is getting around Start Point in a fair tide clear of the race.  This requires us to leave at 07:00 ish meaning we will get back to Dartmouth by mid day.  Disembarkation will be at the Town pontoon at 17:00.