River Waveney
Navigation on the Waveney is relatively trouble free with good depths especially in middle channel.
There are no channel markers beyond Burgh Castle but there may be shallower water towards the banks. The river is tidal but flows and ranges are less significant between Oulton Dyke and Geldeston, please see tide tables.
There are three fixed bridges and two of these are at Beccles. Boaters must check the bridge heights with the gauge boards before going under the bridges. Saint Olaves Bridge has a clearance of 2.44m (8’) at high water. Boats with a greater air draught wanting to go to Oulton Broad or Beccles should follow the River Yare towards Reedham and then take Haddiscoe New Cut. The entrance to the Cut is on the left, opposite Reedham Marina.
Somerleyton Rail Swing Bridge will open on request although there may be delays while trains clear the area. For further details on bridges please see our bridge heights and openings page.
Please see the River Waveney Depth Map (PDF) for maps and river depths in the below areas. Please note there are multiple pages to the PDF to click through.
Turntide Jetty to Caldecott drainage Mill (Burgh Castle Reach)
It is important to keep within the marked channel. A speed limit of 5mph takes effect as you approach the moorings at Burgh Castle. There are private moorings at the Fisherman’s Inn on the left bank and Broads Authrority 24-hour moorings are also available on the left past Burgh Castle Marina. This mooring has electric charging points and a footpath connection to the Roman fort of Burgh Castle atop the hill. Note that currents can still be strong and due to the tidal effect you must use longer mooring ropes.
Past the Burgh Castle moorings, the speed limit increases to 6mph. There is good depth in the main channel with shallow areas near the banks, especially inside the bends. Tidal flow can be strong.
Caldecott Drainage Mill to Haddiscoe Cut (Waveney Forest Reach)
Waveney Forest Reach has good depth in the main channel with shallow areas near to the banks. A speed limit of 5mph applies in this section, where there are many moored boats and dykes. After this, the speed limit increases to 6mph until the approach to St Olaves
At St Olaves, before the bridge, there are Broads Authority 24-hour moorings, with electric charging points. Tides can be very strong at the fixed bridge, which has clearance of 2.44m (8ft) at high tide. Soon after the bridge, Haddiscoe New Cut, which links with the River Yare at Reedham, joins the river on the right. There are numerous moorings and private dykes on this stretch. Take care, as boats may be joining the main river from the New Cut or dykes.
Haddiscoe Cut to Somerleyton Swing Bridge (St Olaves Reach)
An old bridge pier stands in the middle of the river at Haddiscoe, past the Environment Agency depot. Boats should pass to the right of the pier.
At Herringfleet, on the left-and bank, there are Broads Authority 24-hour moorings, but there is no public land access to them. The speed limit increases to 6mph at this point. You’ll go past Herringfleet Smock Mill on the left bank.
A mile further on at Somerleyton, there are more Broads Authority 24-hour moorings, with electric charging points, on the left bank. The speed limit reduces to 5mph.
Somerleyton Swing Bridge to Oulton Dyke (Somerleyton Reach)
Somerleyton Swing Bridge will open for vessels unable to pass underneath. Openings can be requested on VHF Channel 12, or by telephoning 0330 858 4565. It will swing on demand when there is one red flag flying from the control box. If two red flags are flying, the bridge is inoperable. Additionally, electronic information boards indicating status of operation are on each side of the bridge. There may sometimes be a delay of up to 20 minutes to allow a train to pass. There are moorings or pontoons either side for those waiting for the bridge to open. There is a water ski zone for permit holders only, at restricted times, from above Somerleyton Bridge to Oulton Dyke. All boat must exercise caution and be prepared for wash from ski boats. The speed limit increases to 6mph beyond Somerleyton Bridge.
Oulton Dyke to Oulton Broad (Oulton Dyke and Oulton Broad Reach)
Oulton Dyke leaves the main channel to the left and has a 5mph speed limit. There are fishing platforms on the left up to the Dutch Tea Gardens Broads Authority 24-hour moorings. On the right there is a small Broads Authority 24-hour pontoon mooring giving access to Peto’s Marsh and the Suffolk Wildlife Trust nature reserve at Carlton Marshes. Two short dykes leading off Oulton Dyke to the right are shallow with risk to motorboats of grounding.
Oulton Broad is a large expanse of open water where a 6mph speed limit applies. It is very popular with sailors, so visitors should navigate along the north bank between the mooring buoys and shore when yachts are racing. Navigation is restricted during powerboat race meetings on Thursday evenings and some weekends during summer. You must exercise extreme caution during powerboat events. Broads Authority rangers in patrol boats will give instructions to visiting boats at these times.
Oulton Broad Yacht Station is at the far end of the broad. The yacht station provides permanent and short stay moorings for the local community and visitors. Welcoming a mix of privately owned and hire craft, it can cater for both motorized and sailing craft, offering electric charging points, a slipway and laundry facilities.
The yacht station also coordinates the operation of Mutford Lock, which gives access to the sea via Lake Lothing. Between Oulton Broad and Lake Lothing there is a lifting road bridge and a railway swing bridge. To contact Mutford Lock and the swing bridge call 01502 531778 or VHF Channel 73.
Oulton Dyke to Castle Marsh (Burgh St Peter Reach)
As you approach from Somerleyton, at the junction with Oulton Dyke, the main river continues upstream to the right. Here, the speed limit reduces to 5mph as you approach the Waveney River Centre on the right. This offers moorings to visitors wishing to use the facitilites there. A ferry operates across the river to Peto’s Marsh and the Suffolk Wildlife Trust nature reserve at Carlton Marshes.
Castle Marsh to Aldeby Hall (Worlingham Reach)
The speed limit increases to 6mph and there are areas of timber and steel piling together with old fishing platforms in the reeds on the left-hand (Suffolk) bank. The inside of some bends can be shallow at low water and fishing platforms continue on both sides. There are Broads Authority 24-hour moorings at North Cove on the left bank.
Some areas of bank are reinforced with matting and should be avoided by powered craft. There are further fishing platforms on the left bank. Additional Broads Authority 24-hour moorings are available at Worlingham Staithe.
Aldeby Hall to Beccles (Aldeby Reach)
The centre pier of an old railway bridge stands in the middle of the river at Stanley Carr. Boats should pass to the right of the pier. Some areas of bank are reinforced with matting and should be avoided by powered boats.
Beccles to Dunburgh (Beccles Reach)
There is a 4mph speed limit in force from downstream of the sailing club through Beccles. Take ,care as the river is narrow, with moorings and moving boats. There is dinghy racing at the sailing club most weekends. Rescue boats will usually assist and advise those passing through racing fleets. The new bridge at Beccles has clearance of 3.65m (12’) at high tide. There are moorings just before the bridge that are reserved for demasting and vessels unable to pass under the bridge. Between the bridges and to the left is Beccles Yacht Station, operated by Beccles Town Council. Moorings and facilities are available for a fee and there is good access to the town from there.
Beyond the yacht station is the old road bridge and beyond this there is a boat width restriction of 4.27m (14’). Please note that boats are subject to a further width restriction of 3.8m (12’6”) at Geldeston Boat Dyke.
Beccles Old Bridge has 1.98m (6’6”) clearance at high water and is narrow. Please take note of gauge board heights, which are placed on approaches and either side of the bridge. Moorings for those waiting to pass under the old bridge are at the yacht station and at Beccles Lido, heading out of Beccles. From May to September, water plants are common in the river at Beccles and there is typically a 3m margin left uncut on both sides of the channel. The plant commonly seen in and along the river is unbranched bur-reed. From the end of the moorings the river meanders through tree-lined banks. Some areas of bank are reinforced with matting and should be avoided.
Dunburgh to Geldeston (Geldeston Reach)
Dunburgh to Geldeston is mainly tree-lined and narrow with reasonable depths although water plant growth can be vigorous between May and September. Typically a 3m margin is left uncut on both sides. The speed limit increases to 5mph as far as the point where Geldeston Boat Dyke leaves to the right. Motorboats should avoid the banks as some areas are reinforced with matting. There are fishing platforms on the right bank running from Dunburgh Hills to the boat house. This stretch of the river is popular with canoes and paddleboards so take extra care, especially on tight bends.
There are overhead power cables (12m high) as you approach Geldeston. Yachts with masts should consider whether they have enough air draught to proceed without lowering the mast. There is a 3mph speed limit from the entrance to Geldeston Boat Dyke to Geldeston footbridge. This is the limit of navigation. No powered boat should travel any further. There are Broads Authority 24-hour moorings in the short dyke to the right that leads to a disused lock.
Geldeston Boat Dyke is to the right of the junction with the River Waveney at Geldeston. This leads to the village with a boatyard and small marina. It too has a speed limit of 3mph and also a width restriction of 3.8m (12’6”). This is also the limit of the navigation.