Complete protection may be had from all conditions in the River Yealm and especially so the further a vessel proceeds upriver. Access is straightforward as, although there are outlying dangers and a sandbar to be negotiated, most all dangers are marked by transits and buoys so they may be easily circumvented. Deeper draft vessels may be constrained at the entrance at low water and newcomers should only enter in daylight. The river should not be attempted in any strong westerly or south-westerly conditions, especially so on the ebb.
Keyfacts for River Yealm
Nature
Considerations
Protected sectors
Summary* Restrictions apply
A completely protected location with straightforward access.Nature
Considerations
Position and approaches
Haven position
50° 18.609' N, 004° 3.261' WThis is the position of the Yealm Pool mooings.
What is the initial fix?
What are the key points of the approach?
- Area approaches are available in the Coastal Overview for Start Point to Lizard Point .
- The River Yealm is entered from the northeast corner of Wembury Bay in a succession of four quick steps:
- Enter Wembury Bay on a line of bearing of 010°T of St. Werburgh's Church to clear its fringing dangers.
- Enter the river mouth clear of Mouthstone Ledge on a line of bearing of 088°T of a set of transits close north of Cellar Bay.
- Pass south of the end of the entrance's sandbar that is marked by two lit port buoys.
- Continue past the shallows off Misery Point on a set of inner alignment marks bearing of 047°T.
- Above Misery Point the river continues as normal with midstream offering the best water.
- Pass the port red Spit buoy, southeast of Warren Point and on the north side of the Pool, on its correct southern side.
- Berth, as prefered in the various designated visitor locations a short distance upriver or dry out in Newton Ferrers if space can be found.
Not what you need?
- River Erme - 3.8 nautical miles E
- Plymouth Harbour - 4.5 nautical miles NW
- River Tamar & Tributaries - 5.3 nautical miles WNW
- River Avon - 7.3 nautical miles ESE
- Hope Cove - 8.3 nautical miles ESE
- Kingsbridge - 10.9 nautical miles E
- Salcombe - 11.7 nautical miles ESE
- Starehole Bay - 11.8 nautical miles ESE
- Looe Harbour - 15.4 nautical miles W
- Hallsands - 15.9 nautical miles ESE
- River Erme - 3.8 miles E
- Plymouth Harbour - 4.5 miles NW
- River Tamar & Tributaries - 5.3 miles WNW
- River Avon - 7.3 miles ESE
- Hope Cove - 8.3 miles ESE
- Kingsbridge - 10.9 miles E
- Salcombe - 11.7 miles ESE
- Starehole Bay - 11.8 miles ESE
- Looe Harbour - 15.4 miles W
- Hallsands - 15.9 miles ESE
Chart
How to get in?
Image: Michael Harpur
The River Yealm commences south of Dartmoor and travels 19 km (12 miles) to the sea, passing through Cornwood, Lee Mill and Yealmpton before reaching its estuary in the northeast corner of Wembury Bay. Here it forms a deep inlet, or ria, that forms the waterfront to Newton Ferrers and Noss Mayo on its eastern side. It is to the largest part unspoilt and forested to the water's edge making for a beautiful location that is a perfect yachting centre.
Being so attractive and close to Plymouth the river often gets overrun during fine sailing season weather and at holiday weekends when it is best avoided. The harbourmaster will never turn away a vessel seeking shelter from inclement weather.
The River Yealm is entered from the northeast corner of Wembury Bay in a succession of four quick steps that can be summarised as follows:
- 1. Entering Wembury Bay. Pass into Wembury Bay on a line of bearing of 010°T of St. Werburgh's Church, sited above Wembury, to clear the outlying dangers of the Slimers and Ebb Rocks on either side of the bay.
- 2. Enter the River Yealm clear of Mouthstone Ledge. Mouthstone Ledge is a dangerous ledge that extends from Mouthstone Point the inner point of Yealm Head. A safe path is marked by a pair of transits sent into the inlet on a line of bearing of 088°T.
- 3. Pass south of the sandbar. A drying bar extends southward from the steep Season Point on the north shore with its southern end marked by two lit port markers.
- 4. Continue past the shallows off Misery Point. Steer towards a pair of red/white inner alignment marks on a bearing of 047°T through the shallowest part of the river with depths of as little as 1 metre during springs.
Once past Misery Point, the river deepens and the Yealm berthing opportunities present themselves.
Although the sandbar has lit buoys, all of the other marks require daylight. This and a large number of residential boats and moorings in the river make it inadvisable for a newcomer to make a night approach.
For berthing enquiries contact the harbour master by phone, P: +44 1752 872533, as no VHF listening watch is maintained.
Use the Coastal Overview for Start Point to Lizard Point for general approaches to Wembury Bay.
Image: Michael Harpur
The initial fix sets up the first step of the approach sequence. It is on a line of bearing of 010°T of St. Werburgh's Church sited above Wembury. It is also on the line of bearing of S. Macra's Church Tower in line with the Plymouth's West Breakwater Light, best seen on a chart, that passed a ¼ of a mile southwest of both of the Ebb Rocks. From here the four steps required to enter the River Yealm follow one after the other.
Wembury Bay is ¾ of a mile deep, and the same in width at the entrance between the Slimers and Ebb Rocks.
Image: Michael Harpur
The Slimers comprise two detached reefs, named Outer and Inner Slimers, that lie 200 metres apart and partly dry at low water. They lie on the western shore of the bay about 300 metres off the east side off Great Mew Stone.
On the eastern shore are two patches called the Ebb Rocks, the Western and Eastern Ebb Rocks, of which the westernmost lies 600 metres from Gara Point, the south point of Yealm Head. The Ebb Rocks are nearly awash at the lowest tides and have come as an unwanted surprise to many vessels bound for the river. The line of bearing from the initial fix passes more than 300 metres west of the Western Ebb Rocks. Proceeding toward St. Werburgh's Church 010°T of St. Werburgh's Church clears all these dangers.
Image: Michael Harpur
However, it is essential to search out the River Yealm entrance and it marks, as detailed in step 2, when proceeding in avoid running in too close to the northern shore. The hazardous Blackstone Rocks, or Church Ledge, projects 400 metres in a southerly direction from the shoreline beneath St. Werburgh's Church.
Image: Michael Harpur
If there is any doubt Misery Point well open of Season Point, in the entrance to the River Yealm, clears this ledge.
Image: Michael Harpur
The entrance to the River Yealm is easy to make out being at the commencement of a long easterly range of cliffy shore and its dark zigzag line marking its course through the coastal ranges 100 metres in height.
Image: Graham Rabbits
When the river mouth opens up north of Yealm Head look for two transit beacons in the trees, close north of Cellar Bay with a house on the ridge close right. They are white unlit triangle marks, one high and the other lower down, with a black stripe, in-line on a bearing of 089°T. These lead to the north of the dangerous Mouthstone Ledge that projects 200 metres from Mouthstone Point the inner point of Yealm Head.
Church Ledge also showing
Image: © Alexander Manning
Once Mouthstone Point is abeam the entrance will be clearly seen between the cliff headland of Season Point on the north and the inner point of Yealm Head on the south. A sandbar that dries to 0.6 metres extends southward from the steep Season Point with a deep water pass off its southern end and close to the southern shore.
Image: © Chris Brown
The southern end of the sandbar is marked by two red buoys, Fl.R.5s, that mark the north and port hand side of the narrow pass, and some yellow buoys will be seen set along the spine of the sandbar. The outer transit of 089°T does not clear the sandbar but rather cuts a path over its southern end, where it dries 0.6 metres, and into Cellar Bay.
Image: Andrew via CC BY 2.0
So keep north of the transit until about halfway between Mouthstone Point and the first of the two buoys at the end of the spit. Then the best water is midway between the line and the rocks on the southern shore to the first buoy.
Image: Michael Harpur
Steer to pass the two buoys on their correct (southern) side. There is a gap of about 40 metres between the sandbar and the southern shore. It is narrow but provides ample space with its least depths ranging from 1.5 to 3 metres.
When the second red buoy is passed to port steer towards a pair of red/white inner alignment marks on the north bank on a bearing of 047°T. This section fronting Misery Point is the shallowest part of the river with depths of as little as 1 metre during springs. Keep on the transit until the water deepens as a shallow section with as little as 0.8 metres lies close to port.
Image: Michael Harpur
Northward of Misery Point, the river deepens to about 3 metres or more, and the River Yealm takes on the normal river format of deep mid-stream straights, shallow points with deep water on the outer bends. The river is home to a host of local moorings so it is essential to keep a sharp eye out.
Image: Graham Rabbits
Continuing upriver make certain to pass the port red 'Spit' buoy, southeast of Warren Point and on the north side of the Pool, on its correct, southern, side as it marks a rock that dries to 1.4 metres.
Image: Michael Harpur
In settled conditions it is possible to anchor immediately within the sandbar in Cellar Bay. This bay provides good protection in all conditions save from west round to northwest. Cellar Bay is the only location where it is possible to anchor afloat. No anchoring is possible in any other River Yealm location except by arrangement with Harbourmaster.
Image: Michael Harpur
After turning around Misery Point the first designated visitors' buoys appear intended to take very large vessels 20 metres / 25 tons.
Image: Michael Harpur
The next suite of visitors' buoys and pontoon will be found 400 metres beyond and on the starboard side at Yealm Pool to the south of the port buoy marking the drying spit south of Warren Point. Rafting is permitted during busy periods on the 46 metres long mid-river visitors' pontoon.
Image: Robert Pitman
Following the river north leads to another and final set of visitors' moorings on the west side of the river to the north of Yealm Hotel.
Image: Michael Harpur
Anchoring is not permitted above Madge Point, a ¼ of a mile above the Yealm Hotel, where there are oyster beds.
Image: Michael Harpur
Newton Creek, branching eastward to the south of the Yealm Hotel, leads into the quays of Newton Ferrets and Noss Mayo. Although wide, it dries out at low water and the quays dry to 2.7 metres. If space can be found a vessel that can take-to-the-hard can dry out close to the shore. Bridgend, at the head of Newton Creek, also has a quay the can be reached at the last hour of high water.
Image: Michael Harpur
It is possible to pick up vacant local moorings without a tender or note if the vessel is not being left unattended and prepared to move on short notice. But do not leave the vessel unattended on a local mooring without the permission of the harbourmaster who will most likely be encountered patrolling the river in a launch or be found in the harbour office.
Why visit here?
The Yealm River received its name from Celtic times meaning 'kind'. This aptly describes it today from a boating perspective as it is perhaps the most impressive estuary one can come by. Steep-sided and narrow, largely untouched and largely forested down to the river's edge it is simply beautiful.Image: Michael Harpur
The river rises 1,411 feet above sea level on the Stall Moor mires of south Dartmoor and travels 12 miles (19 km) to the sea, passing through Cornwood, Lee Mill and Yealmpton, which is its largest settlement, before reaching its estuary which forms a ria bounded on its western side by Wembury.
All of its berthing locations lie in the deep inlet of this ria close within its entrance which forms the waterfront to Newton Ferrers and Noss Mayo on its eastern side. Although anchoring is forbidden above Madge Point, a ¼ of a mile above the fork of the Newtown Creek, the Yealm is readily navigable as far as Shortaflete Creek by tender at high water. An excursion upriver, by dinghy, will be highly rewarding.
Image: CC0
Dubbed 'The Arch Pirate' and 'The King of Pirates' by contemporaries, Every was notorious. He earned his infamy by becoming one of few major pirate captains to retire with his loot without being arrested or killed in battle, and for being the perpetrator of what has been called the most profitable pirate heist in history. Although Every's career as a pirate lasted only two years, his exploits captured the public's imagination, inspired others to take up piracy, and spawned works of literature.
Image: Michael Harpur
Across the creek from Newton Ferrers stands the prominent overwatching St. Peter's at Noss Mayo. The church was built in 1877 by Edward Baring, the 1st Lord Revelstoke, head of the family firm of Barings Bank, to a design by James Piers St Aubyn. The first documentary reference of Noss Mayo was in 1286 as Nesse Matheu. The manor here was held by Matheu son of John from 1284 to 1309. Noss Mayo was given by Edward II of England in 1287 to Mathew Fitzjohn of the manor of ‘Stok’.
Image: Andrew
During the summer, a river taxi will take passengers around the two villages and makes regular trips between Noss Mayo, Newton Ferrers Harbour and Warren Point, for access to Wembury Bay and its beach beneath St. Werburgh's Church managed by the National Trust.
Image: Michael Harpur
Laying within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty this lightly touched over these years and it remains an unspoilt and beautiful location for boaters of all kinds. But it is justifiably busy and best visited during the week.
What facilities are available?
Water at slip near Yealm Hotel toilets, rubbish disposal, showers 0800-1800 only. Madge Point, a ¼ of a mile above the Yealm Hotel has scrubbing posts. Newton Ferrers has a Co-operative mini-supermarket, a post office, a butcher who also sells cold meat and cheese, pharmacy, pub, and a Yacht Club on Newton Hill. There are no shops in Noss Mayo, but it has two pubs, The Swan and The Ship. Newton Ferrers has one pub, The Dolphin, and all three are on the waterfront.Buses are available from both hamlets to Plymouth which has the nearest train station.
With thanks to:
Michael Harpur eOceanic.Yealm River, Devon, England
Image: eOceanic thanks Michael Harpur
St. Werburgh's Church overlooking Wembury Bay and Great Mew Stone
Image: eOceanic thanks Michael Harpur
Cellar Bay in the entrance to the River Yealm
Image: eOceanic thanks Michael Harpur
The first set of visitors moorings around Misery Point
Image: eOceanic thanks Michael Harpur
Yealm Pool as seen from the north side of the river
Image: eOceanic thanks Michael Harpur
The view south from Warren Point
Image: eOceanic thanks Michael Harpur
The port red Spit buoy to the southeast of Warren Point as seen from the north
side of the river
Image: eOceanic thanks Michael Harpur
Yachts off the Yealm Hotel
Image: eOceanic thanks Michael Harpur
Yacht on moorings above the Yealm Hotel
Image: eOceanic thanks Graham Rabbits
Newton Ferrers
Image: eOceanic thanks Michael Harpur
Yealm Yacht club in Newton Ferrers
Image: eOceanic thanks Michael Harpur
Yealm Yacht Club in Newton Ferrers
Image: eOceanic thanks Michael Harpur
Yealm Yacht Club in Newton Ferrers
Image: eOceanic thanks Michael Harpur
Newton Ferrers
Image: eOceanic thanks Michael Harpur
Newton Ferrers
Image: eOceanic thanks Michael Harpur
Add your review or comment:
Rupert Bacon wrote this review on Sep 24th 2022:
Twenty years ago this was a friendly and beautiful place. Now I'm not so sure. We anchored at the top end and were told to clear off (though not so politely) or pay £100 to stay. The harbour master confirmed that anchoring is not permitted ANYWHERE beyond the aptly named Misery Point. No, the people of the River Yealm want to keep the place exclusively for the 'owners club'. Such a shame that a mile or two of drying upriver beauty is not allowed to be enjyoed by the few boats that can take the ground.
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