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Welcome to Prawle Point NCI

Prawle Point NCI is one of around 60 National Coastwatch (NCI) stations along the coast of England and Wales helping to assure the safety of those at sea and walkers on the coast path. We form part of the constellation of search and rescue organisations who strive endlessly to assist those in distress; we report primarily to HM Coastguard.

The Prawle Point Lookout stands 60m above sea level at the most southerly point in Devon and is open 365 days a year. As watchkeepers we have the thoroughly enviable 240°panoramic view of this spectacular piece of coastline.  Do come in and visit us (find us here) sometime. We dare you not to say ‘wow!’

We maintain a watch from 09:00 and 17:00 local time (or sunset if earlier), adding an evening watch to 20:00 from early May to early September.

NCI stations receive no government funding and are entirely staffed by volunteers. We rely on public support so please consider making a donation.

In addition to keeping a watch we provide information about the local sea and weather conditions: call us on 0‍1548 511259 or, if at sea, on VHF Channel 65. You can get live updates of current conditions through our weather station and webcams.

When you’re out on the water it’s always reassuring to know that your radio can be heard and that you can be seen electronically as well as visually. Call us on Ch65 for a radio and AIS check, or just to say hello!

Adjacent to the Lookout is a Visitor Centre with interesting information about the area’s ecology and history. Prawle Point is abundant in nature and has unique species known nowhere else in the British Isles. We regularly see dolphin and porpoise, with increasing sightings of tuna and even the occasional whale. Bird spotting is fabulous, too, with regular inhabitants including gannets, cirl bunting, peregrine falcon, merlin and other birds of prey. We even see the occasional chough. 

Visit our information pages for mariners and walkers or read about the rich history of the lookout. Watch our video to find out more about us. Please keep safe when on or by the water and take our Water Safety quiz.