Services & information
Marine visitors and berthing
Navigation
Although the Tay is highly tidal the channel is very well-buoyed and is in regular use by leisure users and commercial vessels alike, including frequent visits by cruise ships.
The voyage with the tide from the Fairway bouy will pass close by Tentsmuir Sands with its large population of waders and other birdlife and, if lucky, you may be accompanied by the resident pod of dolphins.
Arriving at Tayport Harbour itself you will find modern pontoons with dedicated visitor berths - and a warm welcome.
The harbour entrance is marked by a fairway buoy (NB. temporarily not present - 17/1/25) at the edge of deep water approximately 100 m from the harbour wall. Leading marks are given by two dayglo yellow triangles - one on the slipway wall and one set back on a pole, on a bearing of 185 degrees true. The entrance walls are painted white on either side to make then easier to see. The East wall, the roundhead, is marked with a red and white striped pole which is lit by a red flashing light at night Fl R 5s (fl 1.0s, ec 4.0s). The West and inner wall is marked with a green and white pole which is lit by a green flashing light at night Fl G 5s (fl 1.0s, ec 4.0s).
The harbour is accessible approx. 4hrs either side of high water, the entrance is at chart datum and thanks to a regular programme of dredging boats stay afloat at all states of tide, with only deep keels touching the soft mud upon the lowest tides.
Visiting boats
Visitors by sea are strongly advised to book ahead as there is no harbour master at Tayport. When possible, temporary berths will be provided on the pontoons but where this is not possible due to occupancy or vessel size, visitors may be offered a wall berth.
The contact for visitors berths is: berthing@tayportharbour.org or 07434 826 536.
Visitors berths
Harbour facilities
The harbour is operated by a charity run by volunteers and whilst everything that can be done to facilitate your visit and make it as comfortable as possible will be done, Tayport is not a marina and its facilities are correspondingly limited. A toilet and shower block is located on the site and visitors are given the access codes for this. Water and electricity is available.
Day boats may be launched from the slipway. For access please contact berthing@tayportharbour.org or 07434 826 536.
Local facilities
The shops and facilities of Tayport are available within 200m or so. These include a good supermarket, chemist, ironmongers, post office and cash machine. A good chandler can be found within 3 miles. The harbour is also the location for a great cafe (The Harbour Cafe) which serves lunches and snacks. The Bell Rock Tavern sells real ale and good pub food. Other public houses and take-aways are within easy walking distance.
There are golf courses in Tayport and St Andrews. Regular buses run to both St Andrews and to Dundee where train connections to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling, Aberdeen and the Highlands are available.
If facilities for craning and/or repair are needed please speak to any member of the harbour.
Payment
You can pay directly to the berthing officer or by envelope left in the Harbour post box outside the harbour gates.
Leisure berthing
The harbour has approximately 100 permanent berths. 80 of these are held by Members of Tayport Harbour Trust Ltd. and the remainder are held by Visitors who may be elected to become Members of the Trust as positions on the Trust become vacant.
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In addition, the harbour maintains a waiting list for berths. The waiting list (which is normally maintained at around 10-15 names) is opened periodically as berths become available. If you are looking for a permanent berth, please contact the Berthing Officer at berthing@tayportharbour.org
Commercial berthing
Although the majority of vessels berthed in Tayport Harbour are leisure vessels, the Trust actively encourages commercial berthing for appropriate vessels, both short or long term.
Small vessels (RIBs, survey craft etc.) can usually be allocated a pontoon berth while larger vessels will tie alongside on the 'South' (actually WSW) wall.
Vessels of up to 25 meters have been accommodated in the past and benefit from excellent security with webcam supervision. Water and electricity are readily available and bunkering (by tanker) can be arranged.
Please contact the Berthing Officer at berthing@tayportharbour.org for further information.