West Cornwall Harbours
Always check with the coastguard and the harbourmaster in advance if you intend to stay in Porthleven as the outer harbour, exposed to south-westerly winds and swells, is not a safe anchorage, while the inner harbour is closed with huge timber baulks during gales and heavy seas (look for a prominent red flag). The inner harbour has a depth of two meters at half tide, although it is shallower at the northern end, where there is a slipway for trailer launches. Water and fuel are available and there are toilets on the quay.
Heading west from Porthleven will take you past the iconic St Michael's Mount and into Penzance, whose situation at the most sheltered end of Mounts Bay has made it one of Cornwall's most important historic towns. The inner harbour, accessible from two hours before to one hour after high water, has fifty visitor berths with access to toilets and showers (codes from the harbour office). Visitor buoys just south of the harbour entrance can be used while waiting for the tide, and in settled weather it is possible to anchor here for the night.Although entry to Penzance habour is relatively straightforward, the approaches are shallow and in strong onshore winds it is advisable to continue to Newlyn, the largest working fishing port in the country and source of the UK's fundamental tidal benchmark. Very much a working port, with good chandleries, Newlyn discourages visiting yachts but does offer an emergency refuge in all weathers. Under normal conditions yachts are allowed to stay for one night only, and fishing boats will always have priority.
Braving the passage around Land's End will bring you to the first stretch of Cornwall's exposed north coast. St Ives, on the north-western tip of the large and fairly well sheltered Carbis Bay, is the nearest safe place to drop anchor. Hugely popular with tourists, St Ives Harbour is a working harbour in constant use by fishing boats and local pleasure cruises. Visitor moorings (contact the harbour master) are limited to half a dozen, shared between dinghies, speedboats and yachts. The sandy bottomed harbour dries out completely at low tide and care should be taken when entering to avoid a submerged old wooden pier marked by a green conical buoy south-west of the main Smeaton's Pier. St Ives offers a range of facilities including diesel delivery and showers by arrangement with the sailing club. There is a slipway for trailer launches at Wharf Road and numerous pubs, bars and restaurants.