Orford Ness has had a long connection with mariners, as it is a notable navigation feature surrounded by notoriously dangerous waters.

During a great storm in 1627 thirty-two ships were wrecked off Orford Ness. This event led to calls for the construction of a lighthouse (the first of many on the site) giving the Ness a particularly strong association with the protection of shipping.

An early beach-launched lifeboat, a Revenue cutter and later a Coastguard lookout were also established close to the lighthouse. The Revenue Men, who later became the Coastguard, were originally stationed here to watch for smugglers who commonly used this stretch of coast.

This dubious past has given rise to its own folklore and the stories of two such local smugglers, Margaret Catchpole and William Laud were immortalised in the semi-fictional book - Margaret Catchpole written by the Rev. R Cobbold.

The area off Orford Ness is a very busy shipping route; container and cargo ships for Felixstowe, passenger ferries for Harwich and inshore fishing boats are amongst those that can be seen.