As a jumping-off point to cross the Bay of Biscay, it would be hard to beat Falmouth on the southwest coast of the UK. Here trading ships would call in for orders from their line—hence the expression Falmouth for orders. The houses of packet agents who would relay orders to ships can still be seen in the narrow streets.
History is all around. Only a few years ago, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston visited The Chainlocker pub to return the Guinness-branded barometer he had borrowed exactly fifty years before. He had used this primitive instrument after his own barometer broke just before he slipped his lines. When Knox-Johnston returned from his world-first circumnavigation, the customs officer asked him his last port of call, to which he was able to reply, “Falmouth!”
In 2018, sailors set off from Falmouth to recreate the Golden Globe Race, in which Knox-Johnston’s Suhaili became the first yacht to circumnavigate solo and non-stop.
— Will Bruton
The Fal River offers a safe, deep-water port, creeks to explore, and a fascinating town to discover. – Navionics
A Biscay passage is best undertaken when a good weather window presents itself. Those who time their departure well are generally rewarded. Waiting in Falmouth is no hardship. The marina is right alongside the award-winning National Maritime Museum. The town itself has a multitude of pubs, most with strong nautical connections. At The Front, you’ll find live music in the evenings. The South West Coast Path hiking trail runs through the town and will soon be featured in the upcoming film The Salt Path, starring Gillian Anderson.
Three miles south of Falmouth is Helford Pool, a classic backwater, perfect for exploring by tender. Larger yachts over fifteen metres, however, must anchor off the small beach in Durgan Bay to access it.
Leaving Falmouth, Vigo is a 600-mile passage, keeping outside the bay itself. From there, many choose to head south quickly, sadly missing out on cruising the Rías of Galicia—a wonderful and largely untapped cruising ground.
