Salcombe by Boat

Exploring the Estuary from The Hideaway

Salcombe is, at heart, a boating town. The wide, sheltered estuary has drawn sailors, fishermen and travellers for centuries, and today the water still sits at the centre of life here. One of the real pleasures of staying at The Hideaway is how quickly you can be on the water — exploring quiet creeks, hidden beaches and open sea that make this stretch of the South Hams coast so special.

For many visitors the first introduction is simply crossing the estuary. The small passenger ferry runs regularly between Salcombe and East Portlemouth, and in just a few minutes you find yourself on a quieter shoreline of sandy beaches and rolling countryside. From here you can walk along the coast path towards Mill Bay or Sunny Cove, stopping for a swim before wandering back to the ferry as the tide turns.

Hiring a small boat for the day is where things really become memorable. The estuary is calm and easy to navigate, making it ideal for relaxed cruising even if you’re not an experienced skipper. A slow journey up river reveals wooded hillsides, quiet creeks and waterside villages where life feels almost unchanged. Anchoring for a swim on a warm afternoon is very much part of the rhythm of summer in Salcombe.

A favourite destination is South Sands, just outside the main harbour. Approaching by boat gives you a completely different perspective of the coastline, with golden sand, the elegant South Sands Hotel and sailing boats gently swinging on their moorings. It’s a perfect place to drop anchor for a swim, paddleboard along the shore, or simply drift for a while before heading back into town.

Just beyond the harbour entrance, the coastline opens out towards Bolt Head, where you’ll find Starehole Bay — one of the best spots along this stretch of coast for wakeboarding and waterskiing. Sheltered slightly by the headland and often calm in the mornings, the bay can offer beautifully flat water, making it ideal for towing a wakeboard behind a small boat. With the Devon cliffs rising behind you and the open sea ahead, it’s an exhilarating way to experience the coastline.

Salcombe is also one of the most beautiful places in England to sail. The waters just off South Sands and the harbour entrance regularly fill with classic sailing boats and small yachts making the most of the steady sea breeze. Even if you’re not sailing yourself, watching the fleet heading out towards Bolt Head on a bright afternoon is one of the great sights of the estuary.

Another wonderful boating excursion is heading further up the estuary towards Kingsbridge. The river narrows and becomes quieter, with wooded banks and occasional creeks that feel wonderfully hidden. Here you’ll find The Crabshell, a lively waterfront pub overlooking the water where many visitors arrive by boat before settling in for seafood and a long, relaxed lunch.

The beauty of boating in Salcombe is that it rarely feels rushed. You move with the tide, stopping wherever the moment feels right — a quiet beach, a sheltered cove, or simply drifting with the sun on the water. Days often stretch pleasantly longer than expected.

For guests staying at The Hideaway, time on the water often becomes the highlight of the week. Whether it’s a short ferry ride across the estuary, an afternoon exploring creeks, wakeboarding in Starehole Bay, or watching sails glide past South Sands, Salcombe is a place best experienced from the water.

And once you’ve seen the coastline from the sea, it’s hard to imagine experiencing it any other way.