Falmouth is consistently rated as one of the best destinations on the south coast for visiting sailors. The harbour is well-sheltered, the holding is generally good, there are pontoons and visitors’ moorings available, and the town itself – once you’re ashore – offers everything you’d want from a few nights at anchor: decent restaurants, good pubs, an interesting high street, and a maritime history that goes back centuries.
The one bit that can sometimes feel less straightforward is the getting-ashore part, particularly if you’re on a mooring away from the town quay. That’s where Falmouth Water Taxi comes in.
VHF Channel 12
If you’re aboard your vessel in the harbour, you can call the water taxi on VHF Channel 12. This is the most practical approach for sailors – no need to launch the dinghy and row ashore first, and no need to have a phone number already saved. Call ahead, confirm your position, and the taxi will come to you.
This is particularly useful in the evening when coming back to the boat in the dark is the kind of thing that’s best avoided if there’s a decent alternative.
Where the Taxi Runs
The service covers the main quays and destinations around the harbour: Custom House Quay (the central point for Falmouth town), Flushing Quay, Greenbank, the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club, Trefusses, and the Penryn River. For a visiting boat, this covers most of the places you’d actually want to get to.
Flushing is particularly worth a visit from the water – it’s a short crossing but a trip by road would take the best part of twenty minutes, which rather defeats the purpose. By water taxi, you’re across in minutes and into one of the nicest, quietest villages on the harbour.
Fares for Visiting Sailors
Standard fares are reasonable: singles from £4.00 prebooked and £5.00 on the day for the shorter routes; Penryn River singles are £7.00 (same whether prebooked or not). Return tickets are valid within the same week, which gives you the flexibility to come and go over a few days without buying separate tickets each time.
Out-of-hours services are available by arrangement and may carry a surcharge – worth bearing in mind if you’re planning a late dinner ashore and need to be sure of getting back.
The Concierge Service for Boats Left in the Harbour
If you’re leaving your boat in Falmouth while you head home for a period, Falmouth Water Taxi also offers concierge check packages – weekly visual inspections with photos sent directly to you. It’s a simple way to keep tabs on the vessel without requiring someone to go aboard. More details are on the website.
Useful Contact Details
Phone or text: 07593 906143. VHF: Channel 12. Online: falmouth-watertaxi.co.uk. If you’re planning a visit to Falmouth by sea, it’s worth saving the number before you arrive. The taxi is one of those small pieces of harbour infrastructure that makes the whole experience of visiting significantly easier.
