Fowey to Pentewan Sands

Our first 20 mile trip! It was not meant to be that way but due to a miscalculation on my part we overshot the original target by a couple of miles. We left Fowey at the ferry crossing slipway and turned right at the mouth of the estuary passing to the outside of the rocks and reef off Gribben Head. We then crossed the long stretch of St Austell bay two miles out to sea, this could have been monotonous but for some good conversation and travelling close to a serious Zapcat race with 20 or more flying past us at speeds of over 40 knots. Realising we missed our original destination of Porthpean, we paddled into Pentewan beach.

After leaving Pentewan, we headed to Charlestown and had a quick harbour visit, then along a short but interesting stretch of coast to Carlyon Bay. As there was still some way to go we missed out Par beach, Polkerris and part of the coast before tucking in under Gribben Head. Do not miss this bit as it has plenty of rocks, reefs and gully's to sharpen the senses. Paddle past Menabilly Cove and we were well on the way to the mouth of the Estuary with just another fifteen minutes before we landed on the slip.

Wildlife Observed: Grey heron, Little egret, Oystercatcher, Whimbrel (2), Curlew, Turnstone (c.20), Rock pipit

Look For:

Fowey Lighthouse

St Catherines Castle

Readymoney Cove

Polruan

Menabilly Cove

Gribben Head
Charlestown

Pentewan

Par Beach

Polkerris

Hazards:

Fowey Ferry

River Current

Other river traffic. Many boats are moored in the estuary.

Reefs and rocks off Gribben Head

Details:

Paddle No: 17

Date: 5/10/2013

Wind: Force 1 Westerly

Temperature: 17 degrees

Weather: Sun and Cloud

Distance Covered: 20.2 miles

Duration: 6.0 hrs

Access: Launch and land from Fowey slipway

Sea state: Smooth to medium swell

Kayaks: P&H Scorpio,  Easky 13

   Fowey to
   Pentewan Sands

Click map to enlarge