Is pilotage compulsory at Falmouth?

Pilotage at Falmouth is compulsory by zone: over 30 metres in Zone B, west of Rosemullion Head, over 50 metres in Zone D and over 75 metres in Zone C. Falmouth Pilots monitor VHF 09 and need 24 hours' notice of the ETA.

Where do superyachts berth in Falmouth?

Port Pendennis takes yachts to over 80 metres on its outer berths, with unrestricted tidal access. The Crossroads mooring in Carrick Roads takes yachts to 180 metres and 10.5 metres draught.

Where does a superyacht take fuel in Falmouth?

The Falmouth Haven fuel barge serves yachts to 35 metres, booked in advance. A larger yacht takes fuel from an approved bunker barge in the harbour.

Which yards at Falmouth take large yachts?

Pendennis Shipyard has two 75 metre enclosed dry docks and an 800 tonne hoist, and Balaena has dry docks to 253 metres.

Falmouth

Falmouth lies at the western end of the English Channel and is a deep natural harbour, accessible at all states of the tide. Port Pendennis takes yachts of over 80 metres alongside, and large vessel moorings are available in Carrick Roads. Pendennis Shipyard and Balaena, both within Falmouth Docks, undertake the refit and repair of large yachts.

The entrance, the inner harbour and Carrick Roads. Marker at Port Pendennis. Chart by savvy navvy. Not to be used for navigation.

Brief

Falmouth is entered between St Anthony Head and Pendennis Point, passing either side of Black Rock into the inner harbour or north into Carrick Roads. The range is about 4.7m at springs. Superyachts berth at Port Pendennis or lie to the harbour's large vessel moorings and the Crossroads mooring in Carrick Roads, with Falmouth Haven for tenders and fuel and St Mawes across the entrance.

Approach

St Anthony Head light, a white tower of 22m (Iso WR 15s), stands on the east side of the entrance. Black Rock lies mid-entrance, uncovers and is marked by a beacon; it may be passed on either side. Carrick Roads has deep water throughout, to 30m below chart datum in the main channel, and the harbour is sheltered in all but strong southerlies.

The ebb and flood reach three knots in the upper Roads and half that in the lower. The speed limit is six knots in the inner harbour, the Penryn River and north of Turnaware. Falmouth Harbour Radio monitors VHF 12, and movements of vessels over 20m are reported with 15 minutes' notice.

Pilotage

Pilotage at Falmouth is by zone, as below. It is also compulsory in any zone for vessels carrying dangerous or polluting goods, or without corrected charts for the passage.

Falmouth Pilots monitor VHF 09, called on 16. They need 24 hours' notice of the ETA, confirmed one hour before reaching the pilot station. The station is 50°05'N 005°00.7'W for vessels of 180m and over, with a closer rendezvous for smaller vessels carrying charts and no hazardous cargo.

A. North of Black Head to Dodman Point: Over 180m LOA
B. West of Rosemullion Head to 50°03.35'N 5°01.60'W: Over 30m LOA
C. North of Zone Point to Rosemullion Head, south of Messack Point to Penarrow Point, or within a mile of the shore: Over 75m LOA
D. North of Messack Point to Penarrow Point: Over 50m LOA
Penryn River, west of Prince of Wales Pier to Flushing New Quay: Over 60m LOA; over 50m west of Sailors Creek

Zone	Compulsory
A. North of Black Head to Dodman Point	Over 180m LOA
B. West of Rosemullion Head to 50°03.35'N 5°01.60'W	Over 30m LOA
C. North of Zone Point to Rosemullion Head, south of Messack Point to Penarrow Point, or within a mile of the shore	Over 75m LOA
D. North of Messack Point to Penarrow Point	Over 50m LOA
Penryn River, west of Prince of Wales Pier to Flushing New Quay	Over 60m LOA; over 50m west of Sailors Creek

Falmouth Harbour Pilotage Directions, in force from 1 May 2025.

Tides

HW Dover: −0610
MHWS: 5.3m
MHWN: 4.2m
MLWN: 1.9m
MLWS: 0.6m

Tide	Height or time
HW Dover	−0610
MHWS	5.3m
MHWN	4.2m
MLWN	1.9m
MLWS	0.6m

Heights are from published tide tables and are checked against the Admiralty predictions for the day.

Falmouth

High water, Fri 25 Sept, 17:24 5.1m
Low water, Sat 26 Sept, 00:00 0.8m
High water, Sat 26 Sept, 05:49 5.0m
Low water, Sat 26 Sept, 12:18 0.8m
High water, Sat 26 Sept, 17:59 5.2m
Low water, Sun 27 Sept, 00:38 0.6m

Admiralty predictions, UK time, refreshed hourly. Planning information, not for navigation.

Berths and moorings

Port Pendennis, outer: OperatorPort Pendennis; SizeTo over 80m LOA, 6m on the outer berths; NotesUnrestricted tidal access, 4.6m minimum on springs. 250 or 100 amp three phase at the superyacht berths. Crew houses on site
Port Pendennis, inner: OperatorPort Pendennis; Size3m minimum; NotesOver a sill, three hours either side of high water
Crossroads mooring: OperatorFalmouth Harbour; SizeTo 180m LOA, 10.5m draught; NotesClass 1 Admiralty swinging mooring in Carrick Roads
Frigate: OperatorFalmouth Harbour; Size45m, 4m and 40m, 5m; NotesInner harbour swinging moorings
Caldy: OperatorFalmouth Harbour; Size35m, 4.5m; 95m, 5m on request; NotesInner harbour
Jubilee: OperatorFalmouth Harbour; Size33m, 4.5m; NotesInner harbour
Cutty Sark: OperatorFalmouth Harbour; Size25m, 4.5m; 60m, 4.5m on request; NotesInner harbour
Falmouth Haven: OperatorFalmouth Harbour; Size22 deep water moorings to 24m; NotesTender berthing at the marina
St Mawes: OperatorSt Mawes Harbour; SizeOver 15m by arrangement; NotesMoorings across the entrance

Berth	Operator	Size	Notes
Port Pendennis, outer	Port Pendennis	To over 80m LOA, 6m on the outer berths	Unrestricted tidal access, 4.6m minimum on springs. 250 or 100 amp three phase at the superyacht berths. Crew houses on site
Port Pendennis, inner	Port Pendennis	3m minimum	Over a sill, three hours either side of high water
Crossroads mooring	Falmouth Harbour	To 180m LOA, 10.5m draught	Class 1 Admiralty swinging mooring in Carrick Roads
Frigate	Falmouth Harbour	45m, 4m and 40m, 5m	Inner harbour swinging moorings
Caldy	Falmouth Harbour	35m, 4.5m; 95m, 5m on request	Inner harbour
Jubilee	Falmouth Harbour	33m, 4.5m	Inner harbour
Cutty Sark	Falmouth Harbour	25m, 4.5m; 60m, 4.5m on request	Inner harbour
Falmouth Haven	Falmouth Harbour	22 deep water moorings to 24m	Tender berthing at the marina
St Mawes	St Mawes Harbour	Over 15m by arrangement	Moorings across the entrance

Operators' published figures, confirmed before quoting. The harbour's 2026 charges limit the inner harbour moorings to 60m and 5m draught except by special arrangement. Vessels may be moved for commercial shipping at short notice.

Alongside

The Falmouth Haven fuel barge serves yachts to 35m, booked in advance, from 08:00 to 18:00 in summer. A larger yacht takes fuel from an approved bunker barge in the harbour.

The black and grey water pump on North Quay is booked with the harbour office. Everyday waste is taken through the Haven for yachts to 60m, and oily waste and international catering waste by arrangement.

Ashore

Pendennis Shipyard has a private helipad, used by prior authorisation from the yard. Cornwall Airport Newquay, with Weston Aviation handling from 08:00 to 19:00, has customs fast track; Exeter is an hour and a half by road. The Falmouth branch line joins the main line to London Paddington at Truro.

Pendennis Shipyard has two 75m enclosed dry docks, or one of 150m by 24m, and an 800 tonne hoist, with alongside berthing to 100m. Balaena, formerly A&P Falmouth, has dry docks of 253m by 40m, 220m by 27m and 172m by 26m. With three days' notice, an engineer and parts are on the quay on arrival.

Regattas

Falmouth Classics: WhenJune; NotesThree days of racing and parades in the harbour
Richard Mille Cup: WhenEarly June, in the years it runs; NotesClassic yachts; the first legs are raced from Falmouth before the fleet crosses to France
Pendennis Cup: WhenEvery two years; NotesPendennis Shipyard's superyacht regatta, four days in the harbour; dates from the yard

Event	When	Notes
Falmouth Classics	June	Three days of racing and parades in the harbour
Richard Mille Cup	Early June, in the years it runs	Classic yachts; the first legs are raced from Falmouth before the fleet crosses to France
Pendennis Cup	Every two years	Pendennis Shipyard's superyacht regatta, four days in the harbour; dates from the yard

Organisers' published information, checked 22 September 2026.

Questions

Is pilotage compulsory at Falmouth?: Pilotage at Falmouth is compulsory by zone: over 30 metres in Zone B, west of Rosemullion Head, over 50 metres in Zone D and over 75 metres in Zone C. Falmouth Pilots monitor VHF 09 and need 24 hours' notice of the ETA.
Where do superyachts berth in Falmouth?: Port Pendennis takes yachts to over 80 metres on its outer berths, with unrestricted tidal access. The Crossroads mooring in Carrick Roads takes yachts to 180 metres and 10.5 metres draught.
Where does a superyacht take fuel in Falmouth?: The Falmouth Haven fuel barge serves yachts to 35 metres, booked in advance. A larger yacht takes fuel from an approved bunker barge in the harbour.
Which yards at Falmouth take large yachts?: Pendennis Shipyard has two 75 metre enclosed dry docks and an 800 tonne hoist, and Balaena has dry docks to 253 metres.

Charges are revised each year. This page is a guide, not a quotation.

Sources

Falmouth Harbour Pilotage Information 2026, Large Vessel Mooring Information 2026 and Harbour Charges 2026; Port Pendennis; Balaena; Pendennis Shipyard; Falmouth Haven; Cornwall Airport Newquay and Weston Aviation. Checked 22 and 23 September 2026.