Launch sites
Many of the launch sites can cover the same wrecks/reefs. For instance Brixham, Paignton and Torquay are all Torbay and the launching costs are the same. Some sites can be reached from Salcombe, Challaborough and Plymouth. Consider the tides, when the slack is, distance to site and ease/cost of launching. The weather is another factor. An example would be a site in the East, the heavy winds from the East are not coming in until the afternoon so a launch site to the West would be good, a gentle ride to the site in the Rib and then the wind will blow you home!
Challaborough
Location
Launching the boat is off the beach which is straightforward at high tide, although care must be taken of swell. Challaborough is a popular caravan site, so access may be tricky. In the summer season, the beach will be quite crowded. Challaborough now has a barrier at the top of the slipway and which can be opened by obtaining a key from the caravan reception at a price. Parking may have to be in the ‘Pay and Display’ across the road. A Tractor is often needed to tow the boat across the sand as it is quite soft. This has to be booked in advance. You need to check if it is available.
Sheltered from winds – N, NE, NW, SE
Brixham (Breakwater)
Brixham Breakwater is a popular site for visiting divers. Don’t let this picture fool you into thinking that Brixham is quiet. A fee is charged for launching – not cheap – but there are good car parking spaces. Here is their website The Slipway is quite steep but useable. Just over the other side of the breakwater is an excellent shore dive site which is perfect for trying out new divers and equipment. In the summer you may need to park in the car park the other side of the road which has lots of space. Sheltered from winds – W, SW, S
Cod Rock
Gull Rock
The Ridge
Dartmouth (Higher Ferry slipway)
Location
DO NOT use the Ferry Slipway, use the small slipway to the right of it. Car parking can be a real hassle during the summer months. You will need to be able to handle the continual flow of the ferry plus the traffic. Off season, this can be a good launch site. However, car parking is now limited to 2 hours, so this means parking at the Park and Ride at the top of the hill – a problem 01803 861234. There is also the possibility of parking on Coronation Park phone Dartmouth Town Council on 01803 832281 or email address
Sheltered from winds – N, NW, NE, SWDancing Beggars
Earlstone
Home Stone
Paignton Harbour
![Paignton Harbour Slipway](https://totnes-bsac.link/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Paignton-Slipway.jpg"")
A good launch site, although it is a crowded place during the summer months. Lots of dinghies use this slipway. There is a launch fee and parking may involve a little walk as the Multi Storey is behind the harbour. Again launching is expensive as it is Torbay. The Harbour dries out so be careful of the tides for launching and recovery.
Sheltered from winds – W, SW, S
Plymouth
Plymouth provides a number of accessible launch sites. Queen Anne’s Battery is well known as is Bovisand. Mount Batten opened in 1998, provides an excellent launch site and is very convenient for divers. It is possible to get air at both places. Mount Batten is now very popular, and parking can be awkward in the Summer. (The Photo is Mountbatten Slipway)
Sheltered from winds – N, E, SE, NW
Salcombe
Launching can be done at Batson Quay for which a substantial fee is charged. It is an excellent launch site, however, and is well used by all sorts of craft. There is car park space for one car and a different space for the trailor. Others have to use the nearby Pay and Display. get there early in the Summer to get a space.
Sheltered from winds – N, NW, NE, E, (SW)
Teignmouth Docks (Polly Steps)
This rebuilt ramp is used as a launch site for yachts but can be used by divers. Limited parking but a nice ramp. Boats have to navigate out over the Bar. Watch out for very low tides. Can’t launch + or – 1 hour either side of Low water. In many ways this is a better bet for the Torbay wrecks and dive sites but there is no toilet here. There is also a small sandy launch site the other end of the dock near to Teign Divers. You can then park in the pay and display BUT again this is often full in the summer. Can’t launch + or – 1 hour either side of Low water.
Sheltered from winds – N, NW, W, (S)
Torquay Harbour
A nice place to launch, may be space on the harbour apron to park the Trailer. The tow car and Divers have to park behind the Harbour office in the Multistorey. Once parked there, there are wide steps to the slipway. The Harbour has toilets, and a cafe. This is where Torbay BSAC is based, so with persuasion we may also be able to fill our cylinders. Doesn’t dry out and the Slipway is sheltered. May be best to phone the harbour Office a few days before as there are sometimes boat races. Charges to launch are quite high.