Moorings in Torbay

Torbay is the east-facing bay on the south Devon coast between Hope's Nose in the north and Berry Head in the south, about four and a half miles across, with Torquay, Paignton and Brixham around its shore. The bay is sheltered from the prevailing south-westerly winds, although easterly weather makes the harbour entrances uncomfortable.

The whole bay is the responsibility of Tor Bay Harbour Authority, which delivers harbour services for Torbay Council and runs the harbours at all three towns. It lets pontoon, trot, swinging and outhaul moorings.

Torquay has the largest concentration of berths. The harbour authority's Town Dock pontoons sit in the outer harbour alongside a marina run by MDL Marinas, and the inner harbour lies behind a hydraulic sill, so entry is only around high water. The Royal Torbay Yacht Club is based here.

Brixham is a busy working fishing port. MDL's Brixham Marina, protected by a wavescreen, can be entered in all weathers and at all states of the tide, and the harbour authority runs town pontoons and moorings in the harbour.

Paignton, midway between the two, is a small harbour that dries at low water and suits boats up to about 8 metres that can take the ground, with a pontoon and fore and aft trot moorings. Taken together, moorings in Torbay range from all-tide marina berths to drying harbour moorings for small boats.