Welcome to National Coastwatch Exmouth

NCI Exmouth is one of 56 National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) lookout stations around the coasts of England and Wales. We work with HM Coastguard and the RNLI by keeping watch over the estuary and the beach 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

The NCI is a charity and the NCI stations form a national volunteer service which keeps a visual watch for water users and people on and in the water and for those on the beach who may get into difficulties.

At Exmouth, the sea approaches to the River Exe estuary can be dangerous in strong onshore winds and swell, as can the strong tidal and river streams inside the estuary mouth and up the river. These present unique hazards to the variety of small boats, personal watercraft and bathers who make use of this marvellous leisure facility.

We are also able to provide radio checks for vessels on VHF Channel 65, our callsign is “EXMOUTH NCI”.

We are all volunteers. Being a watchkeeper is a responsible community role for which we are trained. From the lookout, above the Harbour View Café on Queen’s Drive, we have the best view of the lower River Exe estuary as well as being able to monitor Lyme Bay from Berry Head to Orcombe Point.