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Portsmouth Yacht Charter | Charter one of our Yachts to cruise the Solent

Sailing to Portsmouth Harbour

Portsmouth Harbour

A city surrounded by the sea, Portsmouth’s history is strongly linked with the Royal Navy and is home to almost two-thirds of the Royal Navy’s surface fleet.

The city houses some superb military and maritime museums including Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, the D-Day Museum and Overlord Embroidery, and the Royal Marines Museum.

The Historic Dockyard is the jewel in Portsmouth’s crown, home to the world famous historic ships The Mary Rose, HMS Victory and HMS Warrior 1860. Together with interactive Action Stations, The Royal Naval Museum and Harbour Tours, there truly is something for all ages.

A short walk away, Gunwharf Quays is a buzzy hotspot and premier waterfront destination, open night and day, with over 85 designer shopping outlets, art gallery, cinema, casino, nightclubs and restaurants with al-fresco dining.

You can also find Portsmouth’s newest attraction here, the 170m Spinnaker Tower, which has stunning views over the Solent. On a clear day you can see up to 23 miles over to the Isle of Wight, Chichester and the South Downs. Walk on air on the glass floor if you dare!

The Victorian seafront at Southsea has a funfair and swimming complex, and the large open green spaces are perfect for lazy picnics, gentle strolls and kite flying. The underground passages at Southsea Castle are well worth exploring, or discover local and tropical marine life at the Blue Reef Aquarium, a great day out whatever the weather.

Or step back in time and discover the charms of the Old Town with cobbled streets and hidden secrets such as Portsmouth’s Anglican Cathedral dating back to 1185.

General Access Info:

  • Approaching from the East pass South of Horse Sand Fort
  • Approaching from the West, use the Swashway channel north west of Spitbank fort which has a depth of 2m. Use the transit of the war memorial and the conspicuous block of flats behind on a bearing of 049 deg.
  • The entrance to the Harbour can be extremely congested. Small craft must use the small boat channel on the western edge of the main channel.
  • Vessels must use their engines whilst entering and exiting the port
  • If you wish to cross the channel you must seek permission from QHM on VHF Ch 11 and cross North of Ballast Beacon
  • MHWS: 4.7m; MHWN:3.8m; MLWN: 1.9m; MLWS: 0.8m

Berthing Options:

  • Haslar Marina – 02392 601201 / VHF Ch 80
  • Lies on the left hand (Western) side of the harbour and easily recognised by a green light ship.
  • Plenty of visitors berths
  • Gunwharf Quays – 02392 836732 / VHF Ch 80
  • Located on the Eastern side of the Harbour
  • Restricted number of berths for visitors and marina suffers from wash created by passing ferries
  • Berths must be booked in advance
  • Gosport Marina – 02392 524811 / VHF Ch 80
  • App 400m north of Haslar Marina
  • Plenty of visitors berths available
  • Port Solent – 02392 210765 / VHF Ch 80
  • Located to the N/E of Portsmouth Harbour
  • Well marked channel
  • Entrance to the marina is through a 24hr lock

Facilities:

  • Haslar Marina:
  • Shower block located on the light ship
  • Water & Electricity on the pontoons
  • Good provisioning & restaurants within a short walk
  • Gunwharf Quays:
  • Water & Electricity on the pontoons
  • An abundance of shops, bars & restaurants
  • Gosport Marina:
  • Showers and launderette
  • Fuel
  • Good provisioning & restaurants within a short walk
  • Port Solent:
  • Impressive shower and toilet facilities
  • 24 hr fuel dock
  • 24 hr Tesco supermarket within 15 min walk
  • Plenty of bars & restaurants on site
  • Multiplex cinema
PORT SOLENT MARINA

Port Solent in Portsmouth is one of the South Coast’s leading leisure attractions where you can stroll along the marina, browse amongst the individual shops on The Boardwalk, or just relax in the Mediterranean atmosphere of this picturesque site and watch as the world goes by.

There’s a host of individual shops to visit – from fashion to furniture, and gemstones to games and toys – you’re guaranteed to find something for all the family! And if you fancy tempting your taste buds too, there’s a whole range of Wine Bars, Pubs and Restaurants serving every kind of dish from Italian to Indian, and traditional English to Mexican. The boardwalk even boasts a UCI six screen multiplex cinema.

GOSPORT / HASLAR

Immediately inside Portsmouth Harbour and with easy access of The Solent lies Haslar & Gosport Marina.

Both are large marinas situated on the port hand side of the busy Naval and commercial port of Portsmouth, opposite HMS Warrior and ideally situated as a base to explore the many places of interest in the area.

Within the surrounding area there is plenty to do. The Submarine Museum is only a short walk from the marina, as is the shopping precinct which caters for most needs.

Alternatively take the Gosport Ferry over to Gunwharf Quays to experience everything that Portsmouth has to offer.HMS Victory, HMS Warrior and the Mary Rose are just 10 minutes away using the Gosport ferry.