Report 1 - Kingsbridge Vistor Pontoon

The passage up the Kingsbridge Estuary is well marked with posts and lateral marks and at high tide is fairly straight forward although the channel does split above Charleton Point and the deeper water appears to be found in the main channel to starboard.

First thing to note on Navionics charts at the time of writing is the pontoon is shown on the east bank, whereas it is actually on the west bank of the river. The pontoon itself is quite long with the visitor’s section in the middle, there are spaces for 4 x 10m boats (2 on the pontoon and 2 rafted alongside). There is also space for 2 inside, (although the inner berths have quite restricted turning areas) the fees were £20 for a 10m boat overnight

The pontoon is gated with access code conveniently written on the inside of the gate, but it is probably worth talking to the harbour master patrols in Salcombe before going up to make sure you have the code. There are no facilities on the pontoon, although public toilets in the town

At low tide the bottom is firm and very flat so the boat sits very comfortably

If the pontoons are full an alternative is to moor alongside the quay wall against the vertical wooden piles some 50 m north of the pontoon on the west bank. There are ladders and the bottom again it is pretty flat so should be comfortable enough, but of course this is tidal, so longer lines are needed. You are more exposed in terms of boat security being tied to the quay

The town offers plenty of shopping and food options and is only 200m from the berth

click to view chart (full screen)