Instow

• General details
• Directions
• How the winds work
• Tidal conditions
• Hazards
• Facilities
• B&B's / Campsites
• Pubs & eateries

General details:

Instow is located at the confluence of the rivers Taw & Torridge, just on the estuary where the combined river flows into the sea at the S end of Saunton sands.

Because it's a) an estuary, and b) tidal, there are a number of hazards - like periodic absence of water and currents - that need to be considered.

To be honest, I've never sailed from Instow. I've sailed to it from Crow Point, across the estuary, but never from there. From Bristol, it's a somewhat further to get to Instow than Crow Point, so that's probably why I've never made the effort. I did drive round there once - on a windless, February day - just to take a look at the place. It wasn't obvious to me, just driving along the front, where might be the best place to park, though the map does show a car park off the main road to the North (Sandhills).

Like Crow Point, sailing is probably restricted to about 2 1/2hrs either side of HW, otherwise it's a long walk.

The sailing itself is more or less flat water blasting, with some interesting chop effects where the two rivers meet.

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Directions to the right place:

There's parking along Marine Parade - free for 1 hour alongside the beach, 2hrs further along by the dunes. Sandhills car park is your best best.

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How the winds work:

I'd guess that anything from S, clockwise to N ought to be ok.

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Tidal conditions:

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Hazards:

Strong currents. Be very careful not to get swept out of the estuary on a falling tide.

Water quality is suspect, especially in the Torridge.

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Facilities:

No details

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B&B's / campsites

No details

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Pubs and eateries

No details

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This page last updated: 3rd Sep, 2021.