Advice on best marinas to visit on South Coast

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Dorset Dan

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Hi - we are in our first season in boating having bought a Regal 2665 late last year.

We are based at Cobbs Quay in Poole and I have a fortnight off in the summer holidays with the kids and having done our RYA level 2 and VHF certificate, we want to make use of the boat (been out about 6 or 7 times so far this year). There will be me, the wife and two kids (14 and 9) and I was thinking of hopping between a number of marinas, probably heading East towards Solent.

Whilst we have facilities on the boat it will be cosy so marinas with good facilities would help as would marinas within walking distance to towns, etc for somewhere to go eat / entertain the kids. We are also MDL so with freedom berthing it would be sensible to use those.

Any advice on a route plan for say 10 days of marina stopovers (or anchorages / areas to visit, etc) or equally ones not to go to (or areas that are just too manic / busy for a novice!) would be much appreciated.
 
Weekends

Pre book most places e.g. Lymington Yacht haven; Cowes Yacht Haven or East Cowes Marina

Turn up early Yarmouth; Bembridge (will raft at weekends), Folly Inn, Beaulieu Bucklers Hard (uber expensive), Lymington Town quay.

Always space Island Harbour (simply excellent place but don't tell anyone); Port Solent, Gosport Marina or Haslar, Chichester marina, Hayling Island - Northney Marina, Sparks Marina, .Southsea marina, Hamble marinas - Hamble Point, Port Hamble, Mercury, Universal, Elephant, Moodys (Premier). Southampton - Town quay, Shamrock Quay, Ocean Village, Lymington Berthon (mortgage required !).

Weekdays most any place will fit you in, and not so much rafting, even mid summer

Anchoring - loads of places, but on open water you will tend to roll about.

You will always find somewhere, but a simple call ahead will guarantee you your berth. Avoid those wanting payment up front as some won't refund if you don't make it, e.g. Yarmouth.

Yarmouth isolated pontoons half price but no electric (to stbd on entry - tell HM you want that trot).

Avoid any popular places when regattas or festivals going on, and also larger rallies, but this is mostly weekends only except Cowes week. Definitely avoid Cowes on RTIR weekend.

Enjoy.
 
If you're sticking to the Solent I would suggest in no particular order
Yarmouth. Not technically a marina but close to. River trip in the dinghy is fun. Also can catch the open top bus to the Needles if your kids like that. (Mine are 9&7 and do) good crabbing by the wall as well. Good ice cream and nice places to eat.
Lymington and Beaulieau not so good for kids.
Newtown - no facilities but worth anchoring / picking up buoy. Barbie on beach etc.
East Cowes is nice. Not far from Osbourne house if kids like that. (Ours like the Swiss cottage) great facilities in EastCowes Marina. Not far to West Cowes on foot or by Water Taxi and quieter to sleep.
Ocean Village is bustling in Southampton. Usual big city activities not far away.
Not much on the Hamble for kids but worth mooring at say Swanwickand taking the dinghy up to the Horse and Jockey on a lunchtime high tide. Don't stay too long. Also just opposit the Jolly Sailor for Howard's way fans.
Bembridge has basic facilities but are ok and you will need to raft. Good beaches.
Haslar in Portsmouth is quieter than Gosport. Good Fun facilities on the lightship makes it different to other Marinas. Submarine museum not far. Gosport ferry ride is 5 mins away to take you to Gunwharf Quays. Plenty of shopping, chain restaurants, cinema etc. also spinnaker tower but is about £30 for a family and only good for 30 mins really.
Historic dockyards are interesting - kids like the gruesome bits surprise. Can be combined with other museums / exhibitions and entry is good for a year.
Hope that's enough!
 
Forgot to mention Black Gang Chine on IOW - IMHO as much fun for the kids as Disney and ~ £20 for a day rover ticket for a family, and you can take dogs in. 1 hour from most places on the Island.
 
All the bases have been covered marina wise, I would just put in another plug for Newtown Creek if you get fine weather on day mid week and can manage a night camping.





Henry :)
 
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