Moorings on the The Swale

The Swale is the tidal channel that separates the Isle of Sheppey from the rest of Kent. Its western entrance opens off the mouth of the River Medway at Queenborough, and it runs east past Conyer and the mouths of Faversham and Oare creeks to its eastern entrance north of Whitstable. Peel Ports London Medway issues the notices to mariners for the channel, and much of it is protected for its birdlife as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Ramsar wetland and a Special Protection Area.

Boats can pass right through between the Medway and the East Swale. Masted craft need the Kingsferry railway bridge at the western end lifted, while the newer road bridge beside it has more than 24 m of clearance. Coasters use the channel as far as Ridham Dock, and the buoyage changes direction around Milton Creek. The creeks at Conyer, Faversham and Oare all dry, so berths in them suit boats that can take the ground.

Queenborough Harbour Trust runs the moorings off Queenborough and in Queenborough Creek: all-tide swinging and pontoon moorings, half-tide swinging moorings and drying berths at the Town Quay, with a trot boat for mooring holders. At Conyer, Swale Marina and Conyer Creek Marina have drying berths. Faversham Creek has the Iron Wharf boatyard and drying moorings along the creek, Hollowshore has a boatyard at the creek junction, and Youngboats has pontoon berths on Oare Creek. Most moorings on the Swale away from Queenborough mean drying out at low water.