Most of the harbours along the Bristol Channel coast of Somerset are tidal, Minehead being no exception. It is a well-used harbour with a number of local fishing boats – both for business and sport – and many smaller pleasure craft. It also sees many visiting yachts especially in the summer and the last ocean-going paddle steamer in the world, “Waverley” usually makes trips from here in May and October, while in between these dates, its support steamer “Balmoral” often visits, both vessels running a programme of local trips and longer journeys to Ilfracombe or Lundy Island.
