Important Phone numbers:

National Sea Rescue 022 714 1726          082 990 5966  Sea & Rescue 022 433 2769  Marine & Coastal Management 022 783 0447              082 771 8882.

Port Owen is ideally situated on the finest sailing water in Africa, bar none - St Helena Bay.

Furthermore Admiral Island is beautifully situated in the heart of Port Owen surrounded by private waterways providing berthing for the boats of the lucky owners and on its western end, the Great Berg River

All the elements for perfect sailing conditions are present here. The Bay is large and tranquil; protected from the Atlantic rollers by Stompnose Point. Additionally, the predominant Southerly wind, being offshore, flattens the waves and provides calm water, even in gale conditions.

The South-West wind comes to Port Owen over flat land, which warms it and takes the gusts out of it. Mornings are usually calm. In spring, when the Southerly trade winds blow, the wind picks up at about 11am and then dies down at about six. These made to measure winds are an amazing fact of the West Coast. Due to the shape of the bay and the position of the entrance, you can sail a triangular course from and to the harbour entrance without beating into the wind.

Set on a bend just beyond the mouth of the Great Berg River, Port Owen provides completely sheltered and safe berthing with no wave action. The channel up the river is well marked by mid-channel buoys, which feature reflective red strips for visibility at night and is deep enough for boats drawing up to 1,5m at any state of the tide.

Since the maximum tidal range is 1,5m, really deep draught boats have to wait for an hour or two around spring tide at a convenient holding jetty erected for this purpose. The entrance to the sea is navigable in all weathers.

The marina provides the perfect setting for evening sundowners in the friendly company of other sailing and boating orfishing enthusiasts, spiced by the arrival of cruising yachts from all over the world. The river provides ample space for board and dinghy sailing.

The Port Owen Yacht Club provides information and organized activities for its members and visitors. A workshop with crane is available for repair and maintenance. Tel: 022 783 0488

Port Owen, with its wonderful conditions, climate and facilities is being acknowledged as the safest, best equipped and most pleasant leisure harbour in the country.  At Admiral Island your home is your home port.

Velddrif also has a yacht club on the river, which caters for dinghy sailors. Tel:083 650 0888.