Bude Harbour consists of a seaward area, known as Budehaven, and an Inner Harbour with a sea lock connecting them which gives access further upstream to the Bude Canal. Harbour Orders relevant to Bude date from 1819 to 1960.

There is a small area for drying moorings sheltered by a breakwater and the Inner Harbour accessed via the sea lock (operational May to September). It is the only hand operated one in the country. Visiting boats will pass through the sea lock into the Inner Basin where alongside berths are available.

Around thirty small boats use the tidal moorings in the harbour during the summer months, most are sport fishermen, but there is also some small-scale, semi-commercial, fishing for crab and lobster. There is a wharf on the Bude Canal about half a mile from the sea lock that links the canal to the tidal haven.

Swimmers and small leisure craft such as canoes and stand up paddle boards – please keep clear of the harbour entrance and channel (Barrel Rock) as boats may be entering at speed in a following sea and do not have the ability to turn to avoid you.

For the latest information on Bude Canal please see the Cornwall Council Lets Talk Engagement Platform.

In the 18th century Bude had a small unprotected tidal harbour, the Bude Canal Company built a canal and improved the harbour. Its original purpose was to take small tub boats of mineral-rich sand from the beaches at Bude and carry them inland for agricultural use on fields.

A series of inclined planes carried the boats over 400 vertical feet (120 m) to Red Post, where the canal branched south along the upper Tamar Valley towards Launceston, east to Holsworthy and north to the Tamar Lakes that fed the canal.The enterprise carried considerable volumes of sand and also coal from South Wales. The arrival of the railway at Holsworthy and the production of cheap manufactured fertiliser undermined the canal’s commercial purpose, and it was closed down and sold to the district municipal water company. However, the wharf area and harbour enjoyed longer success and coastal sailing ships carried grain across to Wales and coal back to Cornwall.

 The canal was regenerated in 2009 which brought it back into a good state of repair and it is now used by people for leisure activities such as fishing, canoeing, walking and running.

The Breakwater was first constructed in 1819 to protect Bude Canal, it was then destroyed by a storm in 1838. The present structure dates from 1839-43, and was built by George Casebourne, engineer to the Bude Harbour & Canal Company. The low wall with its sloping seaward side stands only 4ft above the high-water mark of Spring tides.

Bude welcomes visiting boats to the Inner Harbour during the summer season. Access is via Bude Sea Lock and dates are published below:

Bude Sea Lock 2026 – Cornwall Harbours

DIRECTIONS FOR ENTRY TO HARBOUR BUDE CORNWALL

The approach to Bude, either from the north or south, should be made from a south westerly direction in line with the first pair of leading marks.

The outer pair of beacons, bearing 075 30 (T) consists of: Front mark – white spar with yellow diamond top mark. Rear mark – white flag staff, both on cliff top on north side of harbour.

Immediately on passing Barrel Rock (half cable north of Chapel Rock and marked by a beacon barrel) turn to starboard and pick up the inner pair of leading marks from which the sea lock is clearly visible.

The inner pair of beacons, bearing 131 30 (T) consists of: Front mark – white spar with yellow triangle top mark.  Rear mark – white spar with yellow triangle top mark, placed half cable west of sea lock entrance.

Entry to the harbour is made by leaving Chapel Rock (linked to the mainland by a Breakwater) to Starboard. Head towards the Lock in the Channel marked by two pairs of leading beacons.

Entry to the Harbour at night is NOT recommended.

Heavy ground swells and breaking seas may prohibit entry and exit.
The Harbour dries out at each tide and entry to vessels is normally restricted to two hours either side of high water.

For locking, a minimum depth of 2.4m over the lock sill is required. A heavy ground swell may also prohibit the operation of the lock.

Prior notification of arrival should be made to the Harbour Master who will require 48hrs notice for locking.

Outer Harbour 

Bude has 30 drying moorings, suitable for boats up to 8m.   There is currently a waiting list for moorings, click here for application form, please complete the application form return as directed. 

Inner Harbour

The Inner Harbour consists of the Bude Canal Lower Basin and Wharf giving facilities for alongside berthing for vessels of up to 24m in length, up to 7.5m beam with a draught of up to 2m. Electric pay as you go bollards are available.  There is a shower block onsite for use by visiting boat crews and a public toilet block across the road in the public carpark. The Inner Harbour also has rowing boats for hire and a floating restaurant. 

Being part of the Bude Canal, it is stocked with freshwater fish by the Bude Angling Society giving good fishing for Carp, Bream, Roach, Dace and Perch with the necessary permits. The Wharf boasts a number of unique craft studios and workshops with a weekly farmers market selling fresh produce. There is also a choice of restaurant/cafes and takeaways on site.

Winter lay up moorings are available, please liaise with the Harbour Master for availability.

Visiting Craft

Alongside visitor berths are available in the Inner Harbour, accessed via the Sea Lock from seaward. Visitor mooring charges are inclusive of the lock movement.  The Sea Lock can be operated when the tide height exceeds 2.4m over outer cill (*the outer cill is 3.6m above Chart Datum). Prior notification of arrival should be made to the Harbour Master not less than 48 hours before your planned ETA.  Operation of the Sea Lock is subject to suitable water levels in the River Neet, Bude Canal and local swell conditions.  

There are no visitor moorings in the outer harbour although a single night stay may be permitted in the lock (conditions permitting) with the Harbour Master’s permission. Please be advised, this is a drying berth and not suitable for single keeled vessels. 

Winter Boat Storage

 Winter storage ashore is available for vessels up to 12m. Priority is given to vessels with a licensed mooring in the harbour.

Slipway

There is a steep narrow slipway alongside the Lock House building giving access to the Harbour beach where launching is permitted upon payment of fees for vessels up to 7.3m.  A 4×4 is essential if using the slipway. Please inform the Harbour Master before launching. 

Ice

A limited amount of flake ice may be available for purchase, please see Harbour Master for details. Priority is given to the local fishing fleet.