Slide

Cruising Area

Visit– Falmouth | Malpas | Trellissick House | St Mawes | Pendennis Point

Eat– Pandora Inn | Heron Inn | The Working Boat | Boat picnic

Slide 1

Falmouth

Our motor boats can take you around to Falmouth in around forty minutes or so, where you will usually be able to see plenty of impressive ships and boats, stop off on a visitor pontoon (for a small fee) to explore the historic town, or grab something to eat in one of the many pubs and restaurants it offers

Slide 2

Pandora Inn

If good food and drink is what you’re after, the pretty Pandora Inn is just around the corner from us in the entrance to Restronguet Creek, approximately fifteen minutes away. Please contact us if you would like to visit it and we can advise on a suitable day/time. Please heed our advise or you will spend several hours stuck in the mud, longingly watching others enjoying their pints whilst you are utterly unable to have your own

Slide 2

Wildlife & History

There is a huge amount to see, from the two Henry VIII castles on Pendennis Point and St Mawes, which once protected the Carrick Roads from the Spanish Armada, to the plentiful wildlife. Herons, little egrets, buzzards and cormorants abound, with the chance of spotting a kingfisher and strangely for a brief period in 2017, a somewhat out of place pelican. You may well see the head of a curious seal popping out of the water, or a group of them soaking up the sun on Black Rock at a low tide. If you’re very lucky, you may be joined by a pod of dolphins or porpoises.

Motor Boat Cruising Area from Mylor Boat Hire – Mylor Yacht Harbour

This cruising area guide is for all motor boats operated by Mylor Boat Hire, based at Mylor Yacht Harbour in Cornwall.

From here you can explore the River Fal, Carrick Roads and Falmouth Estuary in Picarooner Launches, Eco Launch boats and Pilot Boats.

All boats depart directly from Mylor Yacht Harbour after a full safety briefing provided by Mylor Boat Hire.

Mylor Boat Hire is located at Mylor Yacht Harbour and provides self-drive motor boat hire across the River Fal, Carrick Roads and Falmouth Estuary.

Approximate Travel Times from Mylor Boat Hire at Mylor Yacht Harbour

These are typical cruising times when hiring a motor boat from Mylor Boat Hire. Journey times may vary depending on tides, weather conditions and chosen cruising route across the River Fal and Carrick Roads.

Destination	Approx. Time	Notes
Pandora Inn (Restronguet Creek)	15–20 minutes	Popular pub stop with its own pontoon. Important: Access around 2 hours either side of high tide due to shallow creek approaches.
Falmouth Harbour / The Working Boat	~40 minutes	Easy access into Falmouth Harbour. The Working Boat has a visitor pontoon where you can stop if eating or drinking at the pub.
St Mawes	~50–60 minutes	Scenic crossing of Carrick Roads. St Mawes has visitor moorings and harbour access. Best option when busy: pick up a mooring and use the local water taxi into the harbour.
Trelissick Gardens	~40 minutes	National Trust riverside stop with visitor pontoon access for gardens and café.
Malpas	~1 hour 15 minutes	Upper River Fal village with sheltered pontoon access. Visitor pontoon fee approx. £6 (local charge). Home of the Heron Inn and a popular wildlife spotting area.

Where You Can Go from Mylor Boat Hire at Mylor Yacht Harbour

From Mylor Yacht Harbour, Mylor Boat Hire gives access to one of Cornwall’s most sheltered boating areas, including the River Fal and Carrick Roads.

River Fal estuary (towards Truro and Malpas)
Carrick Roads (main cruising waterway)
Falmouth Harbour and waterfront
St Mawes harbour (tide dependent)
Restronguet Creek and Pandora Inn
Trelissick Gardens visitor pontoon
Pendennis Point and St Anthony’s Lighthouse

Wildlife in the Mylor Boat Hire Cruising Area

Seals – spotted sunbathing on buoys and often pop up alongside boats to say hello as you pass.
Herons, egrets and kingfishers – frequently seen along quiet creeks and river edges, especially in sheltered parts of the River Fal.
Cormorants and seabirds – regularly seen in Carrick Roads and throughout the estuary system.
Dolphins and porpoises – occasional sightings in the wider Falmouth Bay and estuary mouth areas.

Best Stop-Offs by Boat from Mylor Boat Hire

Pandora Inn – Restronguet Creek
Heron Inn – Malpas (upper River Fal)
The Working Boat – Falmouth Harbour
Shipwrights Arms – St Mawes

Landmarks Along the Cruising Area

Pendennis Castle – overlooking Falmouth Bay
St Anthony’s Lighthouse – entrance to the estuary
St Mawes Castle – historic fortress opposite Falmouth
Trelissick Gardens – National Trust riverside estate

Suggested Motor Boat Routes from Mylor Boat Hire

When hiring a motor boat from Mylor Boat Hire at Mylor Yacht Harbour, visitors choose either a half-day (3.5 hours) or full-day cruise. These routes are designed for relaxed exploration of the River Fal, Carrick Roads and Falmouth Estuary, with time to enjoy wildlife, landmarks and stop-offs for food and drinks.

Popular activities include visiting waterside pubs, exploring historic harbours, spotting seals and birdlife, and anchoring for swimming, fishing or picnics.

Half-Day Routes (3.5 Hours)

Pandora Inn & St Mawes Scenic Cruise

Cruise into Restronguet Creek to the Pandora Inn (accessible approximately 2 hours either side of high tide), then continue across Carrick Roads to St Mawes. On this route you can see St Mawes Castle, Pendennis Castle and St Anthony’s Lighthouse.

Falmouth Harbour & Working Boat Route

Head into Falmouth Harbour to visit The Working Boat and explore the busy waterfront area, then continue towards Flushing before returning via St Anthony’s Lighthouse for coastal views across Carrick Roads.

Upper River Fal & Malpas Explorer

Cruise upstream towards Malpas, passing quiet estuary scenery ideal for wildlife spotting including seals, before arriving at the Heron Inn. This route also passes near Trelissick Gardens and its riverside surroundings.

Full-Day Routes

Full Estuary Explorer Day

A full day allows you to explore the entire cruising area from Mylor Yacht Harbour across Carrick Roads, up the River Fal towards Malpas, and into Falmouth Harbour or St Mawes.

Most guests choose to stop for lunch at a waterside pub, anchor for a picnic, or simply cruise between landmarks at a relaxed pace. Swimming, fishing and wildlife watching are all popular throughout the day.

Motor Boats Available from Mylor Boat Hire at Mylor Yacht Harbour near Falmouth

Mylor Boat Hire offers a range of self-drive motor boats from Mylor Yacht Harbour, designed for exploring the River Fal, Carrick Roads and Falmouth Estuary. Each boat type suits different group sizes and styles of cruising, from relaxed family trips to fishing and full-day exploration.

Picarooner Launch

The Picarooner Launch is a Cornish-built motor boat, ideal for families or couples wanting to explore the estuary. It features a small forward cuddy for shelter and is designed for comfort and easy cruising.

Capacity: up to 5 people. Popular for relaxed cruising, sightseeing and visiting waterside pubs along the River Fal and Carrick Roads.

Eco Launch

The Eco Launch is Mylor Boat Hire’s fully electric self-drive boat and is almost completely silent on the water, offering a peaceful cruising experience.

It is ideal for families with young children, wildlife watching, or a quiet fishing trip with friends.

Note: The Eco Launch is available for shorter hire periods (typically up to 2 hours), making it perfect for gentle exploration of the local creeks and estuary.

Pilot Boats

Pilot Boats are the most popular choice at Mylor Boat Hire. They are stable, spacious motor boats designed for comfort and versatility.

Capacity: up to 8 people. They are ideal for larger groups, fishing trips, and full-day exploration of the River Fal and Carrick Roads.

These boats are easy to handle and has a boarding ladder for swimming or water access.

Motor Boat Cruising Area FAQs

Everything you need to know about exploring the River Fal, Carrick Roads and Falmouth Estuary with Mylor Boat Hire from Mylor Yacht Harbour, including cruising areas, boats and stop-off points.