Encompassing the Exe Estuary, Exeter Canal and Quay

From the shoreline of Exmouth to Exeter’s historic canal and quay we welcome all watersports users and visitors who wish to enjoy one of the most beautiful and vibrant waterways in the South West of England.  

The Exe Estuary extends for some 12 kilometres and plays host to an active boating and watersports community as well as being recognised as being of international importance to wildlife.

The Harbour Master staff work in partnership with Estuary users to help ensure that everyone can enjoy the water safely. We also provide a range of services including visitor moorings on the estuary and canal, boat storage facilities and mooring servicing.

Please note: Due to the river levels lowering the Canal team have opened the Kings Arms lock gates.

The Canal team have deployed a Collins next across the Canal entrance inside the lock gates. This is to prevent both sea trout and salmon smolts coming into the Canal so they can pass down river over the weirs to the Estuary. We have a statutory duty to prevent smolts entering the Canal and the alternative is to close the lock gates during the smolt season until the end of May.

Please can all users take extra care when passing over with boats or kayaks to ensure the skegs do not damage the net. Anyone who passes using small boats with an outboard please disengage drive and lift the outboard when passing over the net.

It is vitally important that if the smolt net is damaged by skegs or anything else that we are informed as soon as practically possible.

If there is a problem please contact the Canal Office or if out of hours or on weekends the Control Room 01392 682349

A warm welcome awaits you if you want to visit for an afternoon or moor a boat with us year-round.