Open Water Swimming
Open Water or Wild swimming is essentially swimming outdoors in natural spaces, such as rivers, lakes or the sea.
This activity has seen a surge in popularity in recent years with more and more people taking to the water on a regular basis, throughout the seasons.
Fowey is a busy harbour with both commercial and leisure vessels transiting the harbour at all times of day and night. Swimming in Fowey Harbour is governed by safety restrictions which prohibit swimming in the Harbour outside of designated areas.
We also recommend that swimmers take personal responsibility for their safety by having their own tow floats to make them visible, these also provide extra buoyancy if needed. For more safety advice visit the RNLI website
Swimming in Fowey Harbour
Swimming in Fowey Harbour is controlled under The Fowey (Swimming) General Direction 2024 which prohibits swimming in the lower harbour except within designated swimming zones.
Water Quality Information
View the Surfers Against Sewage interactive map and download the Safer Seas App for the latest water quality alerts in your area.
Check South West Water’s Water Fit Live service for information on storm overflows
Readymoney is a designated Bathing Water and water quality is tested through the bathing season (May to September), the beach is given an annual classification according to these results. View Bathing Water Profile for Readymoney
Water Quality advisory signage is displayed at Readymoney when the Environment Agency forecast a risk of pollution or if there has been a pollution event.
Report pollution to a watercourse to the Environment Agency Incident Hotline Telelphone: 0800 80 70 60

Swimming Safely
Going for a swim in cold, open water can be exhilarating, but it’s not without risk. Here’s some advice to follow to make sure you have a safe swim: