Wareham @ low tide

[Nolandandallsea]

Hi all,

Going to wareham from Poole tomorrow pm with the wife and kids but I am a little concerned that it is a low tide later in the pm when I will be going.

Is wareham still accessible at low tide?

Anything I should be mindful of?

Want to stay safe as my kids are young and i don't want to get us stranded! Also, the misses would never stop going on about it!

[PeterM]

I've done it at low . You wont be able to go out of the channel - there will be water outside of it .

But if you do notice lots of mud churned up behind you its getting shallow !

[Nolandandallsea]

Thank for that, reassuring!

Wareham tide is 0.8 and Poole about 0.6.

Are the channels clearly marked?

And what about getting from the main harbour channel to Baiter? It will probably be close to the least tide at that time?

Really appreciate te advice.

Cheers.

[cptsideways]

Once near the back of Brownsea head for the yaught lookout building (looks like a conservatory on stilts in the middle) you can then head from there direct to Baiter quite safely even on lows.

The Wareham channel is marked by sticks, which even have reflective tops to them, handy for coming back after a late one at the pub!

[wxmrich]

Definitely stay in the channel or this will happen

[Exe treme]

As mentioned, when in the Wareham Channel, stay well within the clearly marked posts. However, the 4kt zone on the river to/from Wareham is not marked. With a tide that low, stay in the centre of the river where possible, as a the reed beds extend out a metre or two. You won't run aground once on the river, but your prop might catch the mud if too close to the bank.

[Exe treme]

Here's a photo of where the Wareham Channel meets the river Frome. Notice the twists and turns in the dredged channel, and how shallow the water is just outside it. Keep a lookout for each marker, and stay well within them, as some of the posts are positioned on the banks, just outside of the channel.
Finally, enjoy! It's a beautiful trip!

[Nolandandallsea]

Cheers for all the advice. Nearly made it! Got to the wareham channel but as I left really late I didn't go much further. The tide was going out so decided to stop off somewhere (no idea where but a rib was beached so I stopped near them), had food and came back.

Always lovely in the harbour though! So no problem.

I keep your advice to hand for a better day, really appreciate it.