Moorings on the Helford River

The Helford River is a ria, a drowned river valley, in west Cornwall. Its entrance faces east, and it runs inland past Durgan, Helford Passage, Helford village and Port Navas to Gweek at its head. Side creeks include Frenchman's Creek, Gillan Creek, Port Navas Creek and Polwheveral Creek, and a passenger ferry has linked Helford and Helford Passage for more than 300 years.

Unusually, no single port or river authority manages the whole river. Boats coming in should pass outside Gedges Rock, which dries and is marked by a green buoy in season, and an easterly wind raises a steep sea in the approaches. Gweek Quay is the head of navigation for boats drawing less than about 1.5 metres on a reasonable tide. Large areas dry at low water and oyster beds limit where boats may anchor. Port Navas Creek dries apart from a pool at its entrance.

Moorings on the Helford River are largely leased and maintained by Helford River Moorings, run by the Stephens family for nearly 40 years, which offers seasonal moorings and green visitor buoys in the main river. Helford River Sailing Club has a pontoon on Helford Creek, Port Navas Yacht Club has visitor moorings, and Gweek Quay Boatyard at the head of the river has a 25 tonne crane, a repair yard and a chandlery.