Isle of Wight Anchorages?

Tim Good

Tim Good

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I'm whistling down the channel West Bound at 8kts at the moment and likely to be around Isle of Wight at midnight when the wind will come in the nose. Don't want to detour much or head into a marina so can anyone recommend anchorages from a westerly for a couple of days? Never sailed in the Solent or IoW before!
 
In a Westerly Osbourne bay is the obvious one. Newtown Creek if you fancy something a little less open to wash and more peaceful. Or in the lower reaches of the Beaulieu River. Or Keyhaven depending on your size of boat.
 
If you've not sailed into the Solent before, then coming in from the East as you'll be doing, watch out for the submarine barrier that goes from Horse Sand fort , in a northerly direction to Portsmouth (Southsea) seafront.

If you're heading between the two big forts (No Man's Land and Horse Sand) as you'll probably be doing anyway then the submarine barrier will not be a problem.

I'm only saying this because late at night, if you've had a long sail, the dashed lines of the submarine barrier look just like the dashed lines for all the power cables crossing the solent.

PS - Osborne Bay is just on the left before you get to Cowes...
 
There are a few spots on the east side that are sheltered from a westerly, but do suffer from swell caused by passing shipping (but, so too does Osborne). The added advantage of these is that you will get there sooner if coming from the east.

Try Priory Bay or Whitecliff Bay.

Edit: just a thought, though. If you are passing by, it would be a shame not to pop into Portsmouth and see the new HMS Queen Elizabeth. It is hardly much of a detour. If you do go that way, then easiest to stopover in one of the Gosport marinas.
 
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For. "Couple of days" I would cross off Whitecliffe and Priory Bay. Maybe Osbourne but if can get affected by wash and jet skis on busy days. Maybe it would be my choice if winds ok to use Osbourne for a midnight arrival (with a chart plotter to hand), then move somewhere better in the morning.

I would vote for Beaulieu river, if keeping costs down then taking a visitors buoy in the short stretch before Exbury Point. Or for a little more cost take a Berth on the non shore connected pontoon further up opposite the marina. The visitors bouys being easy to get to at midnight if you have decent torch to creep through the moorings.

Depending on tidal state (see pilot) Chichester Harbour in the Pilsey Island anchorage would be an option if going slower than expected for shelter from westerly winds. It has good lights lights for the approach and an anchorage just inside the entrance.

Portsmouth would be good except in the dark the new small channel is very narrow and very up to date charts would be needed for the lights. Also it is marinas which you wanted to avoid. The Police and Navy security are very apparent on the water in Portsmouth at the moment. Maybe someone here who has Portsmouth as a home base could comment on new lights for a night time approach. I would be interested as well.

Newtown River a good option if ahead of time, but others would need to comment on a midnight entry. Yarmouth (Marina) is a doodle to get in when dark.
 
Priory bay is pretty settled, albeit quite a way out for the shore.
If you find Warner port hand marker, just before No Mans Land fort, and then head in for Horestone point at the S end of Seaview you should be able to anchor in about 2m charted.
 
What is Bembridge like? My guide says there is a visitors pontoon but may dry.

We've just passed the Owers cardinal making 7.5 through the water and 3 over ground!!! Quite a few overfalls on starboard as the Easterly blow is creating a good amount of wind over tide.

Also is Cowes worth a visit? Never been and you obviously hear about it a lot as a sailor.
 
But make sure your charts are up to date if you're arriving at night for the first time, they've built a bloody great breakwater!
 
I would not try Bembridge first time in the dark.. small winding channel with very small unlit buoys... Although pontoon is good once in.

Osborne easiest for anchoring if tired.

If you're national trust then I think Newtown Creek is free although buoys if available are good value. Again "fun" in the dark.

As flaming says.. For Cowes if charts dont show breakwater then stay in main shipping channel until north of the river then head straight in. Breakwater will be to port in the dark.

For a pontoon mooring up the river past Cowes, keep going until you see the Folly Inn on the left. Pontoon moorings mid river.

For any of the marinas in Cowes the tide can rip through them..
 
If he goes into Chichester Harbour he is assured of an easy entrance with the rising tide and some peace for a couple of nights.
 
I will very much depend on what you draw.

A night approach Chichester over the bar isn't recommended. If you draw more than 3' Bembridge is out save at HW. In a westerly, at night I wouldn't chose Beaulieu, it's a tricky approach in good vis. There's a bar outside Newtown creek that's a moveable feast, you need to work your tides well and it's not well marked for night approaches. at least the Beaulieu has a lighthouse. I'd advise anchoring in Osborne Bay, you can always move on when you're fresh in the morning. I use Keyhaven as a jumping off point when departing through Hurst. +1 on the new breakwater outside Cowes; also watch your depth, the "small boat channel" was too shallow for me on Friday, last and I had to round the new breakwater. Approaching from the East, I'd advise popping into Portsmouth harbour for your first night. Haslar Marina is sheltered and right next to the entrance for a quick get away if that's your bag. They're a friendly and helpful bunch.
 
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