Best Marina In Cowes??

rich2925

rich2925

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We are looking to visit Cowes for the first time 5th May and wondered what the best Marina was to book for an overnight stop.

There will be 6 of us with 2 adults not wanting to walk too far, we would like to be as near to the best restaurants and some shops.

I see there are 4 to choose from so would love to hear opinions

Thanks.
 
Cowes Yacht Haven is closest to the action, if you don’t want to walk too far. But “Best” is subjective, because you will experience ferries operating not-very-far-away. If you have hearing aids, take them out at night :)

Shepherds is slightly more of a walk.

East Cowes is more relaxed - water taxi needed to get across to pubs / restaurants other than the onsite pub, which is actually okay, if lacking in olde worlde charm.

Island Harbour is “nowhere” and a lot quieter. This could be a very good thing, but not if you want to be close to The Anchor :)

.
 
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The two best restaurants in my opinion are Mojacs and Number 3.

Murrays for fish I found poor recently.

I always like the Red Duster too, but its not as good as the 2 above.

Italian is ok.

Anchor and Pier View are good pub food. Union Inn - not sure if open.

Locals are raving about the Mess Canteen..
 
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Without wishing to provoke a political comment, has something happened to the Union? One of my favourites, but I guess I haven’t been there for a couple of years.
 
East Cowes Marina for me, as it's much quieter than the West Cowes marinas, plus you don't get any noise or swell from the passing ferries and river traffic. The only downside is that you have to walk and take the Chain ferry to the main Cowes shops and eateries.
 
If thinking of visiting east Cowes just be aware of the continuing saga of the chain ferry FB6 if a night in West Cowes is part of your plans. That said all the staff at EC marina are really helpful and facilities are good plus it tends not to attract charter boats so generally safer and quieter than shepherds marina which sometimes can be chaotic. You can also stock up at Waitrose and exercise any 4 legged crew in nearby football field . Eateries are limited in EC apart from lifeboat inn which is a chain pub but friendly and cheaper food only let down by occasional noise of crying locals and children etc but during the day has outside space .
Personally notwithstanding risks associated with Shepherds and that berthing is dependent on who's on duty we prefer it if space is available inside unless the wind pipes up . Once safely moored there is a need to keep a half eye open and a fender ready when the tidal rip is running as berthing does present some challenges in such conditions but if worried the marinos might be in their rib and assist in keeping you on track . Facilities are fine if now becoming somewhat tired compared to others in locale. Don't know a lot about yacht haven but have this impression might be more than Shepherd to park and tends to attract a more racing crowd but perhaps would give a more genuine insight into the fraternity than other marinas for your trip .
 
Thanks

We have booked Cowes Yacht Haven, We will be revisiting so will hope to try many of the pubs but this seems to be a good starting place.
 
It closed but is back open under the same owner as the last 4 years. Bit of a fight with a greedy chain I believe.
 
East Cowes Marina is without doubt the best marina, but sadly their taxi service is now virtually non existent and quite expensive if there are a few of you going out, and as has been said above, the Floating Bridge stops early now as well.

The Lifeboat is pretty good, but if you were hoping to visit a few places, its probably now better to risk it in Cowes Yacht Haven.
 
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