The Bristol Channel is entered across a line from St Govans Head (in Wales) to Hartland Point (England).

Open to the south westerly swell it is widely regarded as a formidable stretch of water.

Certainly, the Bristol Channel must be treated with respect. Tidal streams are strong, there are shifting sandbanks and rocky hazards. Boats should be well equipped with emphasis on a reliable engine and good ground tackle

With a large tidal range many of the harbours dry out and are only accessible about 2 hours around high water.

The largest centres are on the north shore of the Bristol Channel at Swansea (marina) and in the Severn estuary at Cardiff (marina). On the southern shore there are marinas at Watchet and, in the estuary, at Portishead. Bristol Harbour (marina) lies some 5 miles from Avonmouth up the Bristol River Avon.
	Tawe Barrage Lock, Swansea

In addition to the major centres, almost every sea side town has a sailing club and yacht and motor boat owners

For visiting yachts cruising the area, up-to-date charts and tide tables are essential.  Commercial shipping will be encountered.

Shore and boat fishing is popular everywhere. Dinghy sailing, power and trailer boating are popular pastimes at all centres. Many west facing beaches offer good surfing.   A number of angling and sub aqua clubs are based on the Bristol Channel.

Top of page

These links may take you out of the Severn boating page
Use the Back button on your browser to return

Swansea 5 day weather..... Ilfracombe 5 day weather...... Watchet 5 day weather...... Tenby 5 day weather...... Top Karten   (synoptic chart)...... Met Office 84 hr synoptic....... Meteonet 120 hr synoptic...... Weather Buoy 62303   (actual weather)...... Met. Office....... Meteorologica ('real-time' frontal chart)........ The Beaufort Wind Scale

Sailing Weather for Lundy, Mumbles and Severn Estuary from   AccuWeather

Cardiff Bay Yacht Club......Swansea Yacht and Sub-Aqua Club...... Mumbles Yacht Club...... Tenby Yacht Club...... Ilfracombe Yacht Club...... Portishead Yacht & Sailing Club......Portishead Cruising Club...... Highbridge Cruising Club...... Clevedon SC...... Bristol Channel Divers...... Bristol Channel Yachting Association...... Chepstow Boat Club....... Thornbury Sailing Club......Weston Bay Yacht Club......Newport Uskmouth Sailing Club......Cardiff Yacht Club........Mumbles Sailing School.......Burry Port Yacht Club......Chepstow and District Yacht Club.......Burnham on Sea (Motorboat & Sailing) Club

Top of page

Carmarthen Bay......Flatholm Island...... Steep Holm Island...... Caldey Island...... Lundy Is

Bristol Channel Angling........Fishing Wales

For other angling links go to Severn Boating Links

Bristol Port Company   (shipping movements in Avonmouth and Royal Portbury Docks).
Associated British Ports  (commercial info with maps for Newport, Cardiff, Barry. Swansea and Port Talbot).
Gloucester Harbour Trust  (includes shipping movements Sharpness and Gloucester).

World Shipping Society  (Swansea and West Wales Branch).

Top of page

See tides,  Skipper's Reference and 'Nautical Matters' under Severn boating links

Swansea Marina......Watchet Harbour Marina.......Uphill Boat Centre......Designer Metals.......Barry Inshore Powerboat School......Boatlaunch (trailer boating)......Cardiff Bay Waterbus......Gower Water Taxi.......Aquatech (specialised boat charter).......Compass Sea School......C.J. Marine Services

Top of page

RNLI....... Portishead Lifeboat .......Barry Lifeboat...... Tenby Lifeboat...... Mumbles Lifeboat...... Porthcawl Lifeboat...... Maritime and Coastguard Agency......Operation Coastwatch....... Coastguard Association...... Barry Coastguard...... Phonetic Alphabet...... Mayday Signals

For other boats and boating links relevant to the River Severn and Bristol Channel, go to the Severn estuary and Severn Boating Links

Severn boating welcomes news from your boating area - please email us.

( 52° 04' N; 002°13' W )

Top of page

Disclaimer: All linked sites are believed to be in the public domain. They are verified regularly but the Severn-boating page accepts no reponsibility for the nature or accuracy of information on those sites. The presence of a link implies no endorsement of any goods or services.