Reeth Bay and Puckaster Cove

Reeth Bay (left) and Puckaster Cove. Photo by Peter Bruce

The first bay east of St Catherine’s is Reeth Bay, formerly known as Wraith Bay because the bodies of sailors wrecked on the southwest coast were taken by the tide past St Catherine’s Point and washed ashore here. There is a concrete slipway for small craft to the left of the bay and the direct approach to that is relatively clear.

The next bay is Puckaster Cove. Its unique climate supports rare bees and flora but for yachtsmen the Cove is famed as the place where celebrated yacht designer, builder and sailor Uffa Fox used to live. On 1 July 1675 Charles II landed here too seeking refuge from a storm and royal connections were reinforced later when Prince Philip holidayed here and learned to sail. He and Uffa used to race together at Cowes Week. A reef of rocks almost encircles the Cove.