Contacts: Salen Jetty   mob 07909 944494  tel 01967 431510    No VHF and no intentions of getting it as reception no good in the lochs.

Salen Jetty is on the West side of a small inlet on the North side of Loch Sunart (variously called Loch Salen or Salen Bay).  For a long time there were only four visitors moorings here but the new owners who took over in 2010 have put in a small pontoon set up, consisting of a main pontoon with four fingers on the Northern side and leaves the southern side free for larger boats. The depth at the fingers ranges from 3m to 8m.

The approach is along Loch Sunart which is the loch on......

..... the starboard side of the Sound of Mull opposite Tobermory.  Be careful of the reefs and drying rocks at the North end of the Sound of Mull; if you are coming from Tobermory you’ll need to plot a course to the East of them and pass fairly close to Auliston Point. If coming from Ardnamurchan you will be passing to the North of them.

Once into Loch Sunart the passage to the North of Oronsay is not problematical (unless you go stupidly close to that island!)
You then lean a bit to starboard to pass South of Risga and Ross Rock (probably won’t see that except at LWS) before turning NE through the channel between Risga and Carna. You need to be aware of the 0.5m reef in that gap; you won’t see the shallow but the effect can be seen (and felt) at the surface.

After turning around the North of Carna it’s a doddle, just stay well clear of the rocks at the next corner before turning NE up the loch to the turn in for Salen Bay.  This is not all that obvious from a distance, but there are a couple of white buildings (cottages) at Rubha Aird Beithe so aim for those and the bay will open on your port bow.

In 2022 they didn’t have VHF ashore so you have to ring them on their mobile for berthing instructions.

There is an East Cardinal buoy in the middle of the bay, half way towards to pontoons (not shown on UKHO charts in 2012 as well as Antares);  you ignore this at your peril.  There is a great temptation to head straight for the pontoons when you round the corner into the bay, which will take you over the top of this drying reef. Stay to the East of that ECM before turning into the pontoons.

There are eight pontoon berths with power and water and four visitor’s moorings.

It is advisable to ring ahead and reserve a berth here because it is becoming increasingly popular.  They charge (2022) £15 a boat up to 6m and £3.00 per metre for boats larger than that which includes shore power and showers. The mooring buoys will cost £17 per night.

The other moorings in the bay are private and not to be used.  There’s not much room to anchor and you’d be advised to use a tripping line if you do.

You will find this small enterprise surprisingly well equipped. There is power and water to the pontoons; they can supply diesel, Calor Gas and Camping Gaz and there is a small shop/café. The only slight problem is that there is only one toilet and a toilet/shower so you need to choose your moment!

As mentioned there is a small café and further around the loch, at it’s head, is an hotel/restaurant which has had good reports.

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