Hi,
I am travelling past Camden Haven in the next week or so, and am looking for some local knowledge.

From the charts the bar looks to show adequate depth at all tides, but Lucas shows a couple of shallow (around 1.8m) patches between the heads and the anchorage area. I would arrive 3 or 4 hours after the low tide, the boat draws 2.1m. Is it likely that I would have a problem crossing the shallow areas?

Thanks for any help.

Hopefully the local Camden Havens will chime in and give you the most up to date info.
When I came through late last year, there was adequate depth on the bar and approaches (following the leads) 3 hours before high tide. I draw 1.7 and we still had a 1.3m under the keel. We probably slightly hugged the southern wall. When we left a couple of days later, we were 3 hours after high and still had the same clearance. Conditions were fairly mild both times.
It is much shallower inside and you may need to be right on the top of the tide to navigate up the channel. The channel is well marked, but I still managed to run aground near the boat shed.

First: DO NOT USE THE RMS LEADS! Have a look at Zulu Waterways for the correct entry line.

The RMS leads will take you over the bar which is shallow and breaks. I have informed RMS of this last year but no action has been taken. Be aware that Marine Rescue will direct you to the leads, they cannot see the bar as their radio station is a 1.5 nm from the bar!

Best if you come in on the High high tide rather than the smaller high tide but you will have adequate depth close to the southern side of the channel.

From this: It is much shallower inside and you may need to be right on the top of the tide to navigate up the channel. The channel is well marked, but I still managed to run aground near the boat shed. I would say EC31 that you cut the corner ?

Lucas is getting a bit old now, [ last update was in 2012?] and its safer to use the Apps such as Zulu Waterways which are updated regularly by users.

I am leaving on 23 May to cruise to Queensland so you feel confident about the entry by then PM me if necessary.

All i can think of adding is, I'd aim to crossthe bar at high tide if your concerned of depth upthe channel.
The tide will still be roaring in at high tide (Fort Denison) because ofthe approx 2.5hr over run.

All,

thanks for for the tips, and to NSWsailor for the pm's. All looks good for a arrival at Camden Haven Wed or Thursday this week.