Open Pilot Guide Open Pilot Guide

Sennen Cove Harbour

Small harbour with an RNLI station

Slipway

Description

Located approximately 1 nautical mile North of Lands End, Sennen Cove Harbour offers one of the last ports of refuge for small boats in the South West corner of the United Kingdom.

The small harbour is protected from the prevailing conditions by the headland at Lookout Point, with Sennen Cove Jetty extending to the North to create an artificial harbour at the Southern end of Sennen Cove.

The harbour hosts the local Lifeboat Station, whose launching facilities form the Eastern end of the small harbour.

At the head of the harbour, fishing vessels sit on cobblestones above the high water line, with sand extending down into the water.

The RNLI side of the harbour should be kept clear for lifeboat access, but there is a second cobblestone slipway available on the West side, closer to Sennen Cove Jetty. The slipway is very steep, so access is only recommended with a 4x4 vehicle.

There is plenty of parking available at the head of the slipway in the pay-and-display Sennen Cove Harbour Car Park.

The main industry in the village is tourism, so there are plenty of facilities available for visitors, including cafes, small shops, ice cream parlours and public toilets.

As with many villages in this part of the country, it is very popular with surfers. The surf can be hazardous to vessels, so care should be taken all along this coastline.

Slipway

Concrete slipway, leading onto a sand beach. 4x4 vehicle is recommended for launching.

Facilities

Toilet
Parking

Contact Details

Navigational Hazards

There are rocks and shoal areas all around. You must use an official chart here.

Approach

Approach with the two diamonds on the cliff above in transit. This should lead you into the entrance channel which is marked by some dhan markers. For exit, stay within the markers until the diamonds are in transit. Then turn to port and exit on approximately 340.

Tides and Currents

Launching is possible on all except low water from 50% springs. The harbour is exposed to the altantic, so swells and currents roll around the headlands.

VHF Procedures

Advice is to report in with Falmouth coastguard.

Contributors & Versions