A Spectacular Day on the Fal Estuary

hayley_bp

2 August 2022

The Fal Estuary is located on the South coast of Cornwall and is the county’s largest estuary. The main part of the Fal has six main tributaries and 28 minor creeks and rivers that provide a vast amount of natural beauty to explore. The best way to adventure around the estuary in our opinion is undoubtedly by boat.

Boat hire

You can hire boats by the hour, for half days, whole days or even the week from various spots in Falmouth, Mylor & St Mawes. You can hire your own boat and navigate yourself or you can sit back and enjoy someone else taking the helm.

Other options include taking a wildlife cruise or fishing trip by simply taking the ferry across from Falmouth to St Mawes and vice versa. Whichever way you choose to explore the estuary we can guarantee that it will provide you with memories that last a lifetime and there is no better time to do it than right now.

Where to go

Here are some of our favourite places to explore whilst on the Fal:

Pandora Inn – A 13th Century, thatched roof, creekside inn that has picnic tables extending out onto a jetty. Park your boat alongside the jetty and grab a table. The menu is great and there is often live folk music playing on bank holiday weekends and other significant dates.

The jetty is also a great place to crab from so don’t forget your crabbing lines for the little ones but if you do they sell them from behind the bar.

Plenty to see

Roundwood Quay – Either park up alongside the quay or throw the anchor in and swim ashore. This stunning quay is surrounded by untouched woodland with a fantastic walk that leads around to Trellissick Gardens.

St Mawes – The whole section of river from St Mawes and up is stunning. Admire the fabulous houses that overlook the water and take in all the various sights and sounds of nature and other water users. If you go ashore at St Mawes be sure to check out our blog on St Mawes here.

Cool off with a sea swim

St Antony Lighthouse – In between the entrance to St Mawes and the lighthouse on the point you will see a small beach. This beach is utilised by many water users as its very difficult (but not impossible) to access by land. Swim ashore and make your way up the rocks and you will find a coastal path. Follow this along to the point and you will find a small lighthouse which is fun to explore. This is also the location that Fraggle Rock was filmed in.

Pill Creek – If you prefer to pack a picnic, Pill Creek is a great little spot to do so. Its sheltered and picturesque and is the perfect calm and quiet section of creek to pull out your ploughman’s. If the fancy takes you, it also makes for a great swim spot too.

Self drive hire links

https://www.falmouthboathire.co.uk – No qualifications needed
https://mylorboathire.co.uk – No qualifications needed
www.stmawesboathire.co.uk/our-boats/ – Has a few different boats to choose from. Some needing no qualifications and others needing a RYA Level 2 Powerboat Licence.
https://www.falmouthboatcharters.co.uk – Qualifications needed
https://www.bowmanyachtcharters.com – Various yachts with or without skipper
http://falribs.co.uk– Various options for rib hire.