RECOMMENDED BY Ken Endean
The Dart Estuary is not the longest in the West Country but is easy to navigate for the whole way from mouth to tidal limit, with moorings and access to the shore at several places and enough variety to entertain a crew for several days, whether for a planned inland excursion or if trapped by bad weather. Dartmouth and Kingswear have good shoreside facilities and two marinas plus various other pontoon moorings and some space for anchoring. At the upstream limit, Totnes is another substantial and historic town, with alongside berths, although the river here dries at low water.
The middle of the estuary epitomises rural Devon, with the river meandering around rolling hills and cutting steep, tree-clad slopes. There are two picturesque villages, Dittisham and Stoke Gabriel, with visitor moorings, landing stages, pubs and shops. It is also possible to make a high tide excursion up Bow Creek to the Maltsters Arms (www.the-maltsters.co.uk).
The Dart is a popular destination for yachts heading west across Lyme Bay. The Mewstone and some other detached rocks lie to the east of the entrance but most are well
Nmarked. Within the estuary, off Dartmouth, pilotage is more complex, with moorings of all kinds, two ferries, plenty of commercial traffic and fairly strong tidal streams. Further up river, life becomes quieter but large excursion cruisers run frequently and need clear fairways, so take care when anchoring.
West Country Cruising Companion by Mark Fishwick, 9th edition (Fernhurst Books, £42.50)
Yachting Monthly’s Channel Havens: The Secret Inlets and Secluded Anchorages of the Channel by Ken Endean,
1st edition
(Adlard Coles,
£18.99).
Admiralty
SC5602.
Imray Y43