Setting & Character
Great Yarmouth Yacht Station is on the Bure just above its mouth into the Yare. It is where you wait for the right tide before crossing Breydon Water to the southern rivers, or before heading up the Bure. The streams here are the strongest on the system, so arrive near slack water and let the quay staff talk you in.
Bridges & Air Draught
From the Bure you pass under the Bure Bridge (2.36 m at average high water) and Vauxhall Bridge (2.22 m) close to the yacht station. Breydon Bridge on the Yare gives 4.41 m at the span (4.10 m at the lifting section); lifts are booked with Peel Ports on 01493 651275, by email or on VHF Channel 12, with weekend lifts booked by 16:00 Friday. Low air draught and slack water matter here more than anywhere else on the Broads.
Figures are Broads Authority clearances at average high water — read the gauge boards on the day.
Choosing a Berth
Great Yarmouth Yacht Station, Tar Works Road — Broads Authority, staffed in the main season: 01493 842794 / 07766 398238. Day £8, overnight £18. Mooring is prohibited when the station is closed in winter.
Burgh Castle (143 m, free BA 24-hour), at the far end of Breydon Water, is the usual alternative if you would rather wait on the southern side.
Fuel & Facilities
Showers, toilets and lockers at the yacht station. The railway station is about 5 minutes’ walk, the town centre and supermarkets 10–15 minutes and the seafront about 30 minutes. Harbour dues for Great Yarmouth port are separate from the Broads toll.
Pubs & Food
Contacts from Norfolk Broads Direct and venue pages — call ahead, hours change by season.
- The town centre and seafront have everything from the market chip stalls to restaurants.
- Chico’s (Marine Parade, 01493 856222), Harry Ramsden (Marine Parade, 01493 330444) and Quayside Plaza (South Quay, 01493 331777) are listed by Norfolk Broads Direct. We have not checked current hours.
Things to See
Ashore and on the water.
- Time and Tide Museum, 01493 743930.
- Nelson Museum (1 February–30 November), 01493 850698.
- Lydia Eva steam drifter on South Quay (May–October).
- The market, the Rows and the medieval town walls; the Golden Mile and the piers.
Tides
The Broads are tidal as far up as Norwich, Wroxham and Stalham. Use the Broads Authority tide table for Gorleston (Yarmouth Bar) and add the inland difference.
At Great Yarmouth Yacht Station, high water is about 1 h 00 min after Gorleston (Broads Authority average figures).
This guide does not copy tide heights. Not for navigation.
Old Sea Dogs View
Great Yarmouth Yacht Station is one stop on the Norfolk Broads hub — use the map there to plan the next leg.
Skipper's Notes
Quick notes before arrival.
- Arrive at or near slack water — the stream through the bridges is fierce.
- Let the quay staff talk you in.
- Breydon Water: keep to the marked channel, it dries outside the posts.
- Book weekend Breydon Bridge lifts by 16:00 Friday.
Information checked against official sources
The practical information in this Guide was checked against the sources below on 30 October 2026. Operational details change — confirm with the Broads Authority, yacht station, yard or pub before arrival.
- Broads Authority — Yacht stations
- Broads Authority — Bridge heights and openings
- Broads Authority — Tide information
- Broads Authority — Other tolls (Mutford Lock, harbour dues)
- Norfolk Broads Direct — Great Yarmouth
Frequently asked questions
How much does Great Yarmouth Yacht Station cost?
Broads Authority charges are £8 for the day and £18 overnight. Phone 01493 842794 or 07766 398238.
When should I cross Breydon Water?
Plan around slack water using the Broads Authority Gorleston tide table — HW at Yarmouth Yacht Station is about one hour after Gorleston. Keep to the marked channel.
How do I get Breydon Bridge lifted?
Contact Peel Ports on 01493 651275, VHF Channel 12 or [email protected]. Book weekend lifts by 16:00 on Friday.
