Priory Bay

[anniebray]

I'm thinking of visiting Priory Bay this year by taking the ground on my twin keeler. I know it's possible to access this beach on foot from Seaview (via Nettlestone Beach ?) but is it also possible to walk round from Bembridge via say Baywatch Café ?

 

[AndrewL]

I have walked from St Helens and the Baywatch Café along the beach into Priory Bay and onwards to Seaview. At lowish tide you can walk along the beach and over the rocks at the headlands. There is also a footpath in the trees above the beach. I remember than on the way back the tide had come in and we decided to take the footpath. It's quite possible that we could have still come back along the beach, scrabbling over the rocks, but it was a very hot day and we decided to walk along the footpath in the shade of the trees.

In my opinion these are some of the nicest beaches on the island, Priory Bay and Seaview in particular don't seem to be so full of tourists. Perhaps because they are not so easy to access by car.

 

[anniebray]

Hi Andrew, Thanks for your reply most helpful. Priory Bay is described as private so maybe one might be turned away ! I note that Priory Bay Hotel (perhaps the owner) is being redeveloped & not re-opened until 2020

 

[LiftyK]

The bay faces directly onto the Solent so do be on the alert for any wakes from passing boats. I was almost aground there once, planning to dry out on the sand close in, when a tug passed by. The wake lifted my boat and then banged it down hard on the sand, bending a skeg.

Apart from that it's a great location and you can easily walk to Bembridge.

 

[harry potter]

Spectacular in a Beasterly. Google Earth is good.

 

[oldharry]

+1 for wash from passing ships. I have been there many times and àlways had this problem. Also there is (was_ I haven't been this year and itt does change) an offshore bar on which you will ground with deep water between you and the beach. The deep water close inshore can be accessed by a narrow channel close in to the rocks at the Seaview end. I have done it in a 22 footer but it's really only suitable for small craft. It is Private but in the past the owners were not bothered. New owner? Who knows if he will allow access?

Definitely not a place to be with any East in the wind.

 

[Greenheart]

There is also a footpath in the trees above the beach...

In my opinion these are some of the nicest beaches on the island, Priory Bay and Seaview in particular don't seem to be so full of tourists.

Agreed, very nice places, wholly unspoilt. Although, SWMBO and I took bicycles, so I was obliged to fight a way through the boggy wooded footpath dragging both bikes. Quite a challenging walk for anyone less than sprightly; and in places, the stone footway above the beach isn't easily accessible from below.

Does anybody know the score regarding anchoring at Seaview, off Nettlestone Point? In the 'Eighties I used to row around the moored Seaview dinghies and anchored visitors, but from ashore on recent visits, it looked like buoyed parking for hundreds of RIBs.

I heard there are a few Seaview Yacht Club visitor moorings, but does anything stop one just picking a spot and dropping the hook?

 

[ashtead]

Yachts do still anchor off the whole stretch from The yacht club to priory. If you are a bilge keeler Centaur I am sure not much has changed in terms of running ashore in priory but it is hard sand so not peaceful. Personally I would drop into Bembridge harbour and take the sand by the Bembridge sailing club and motor round to priory in you tender. Just be aware the tide does depart Bembridge and rocks off priory point to catch unawary props so take a supply of split pins etc if using a small OB. Otherwise you can moor at marina and walk round stopping at baywatch cafe en route. If you reach seawiew a bus return can be had if lucky.

 

[Greenheart]

Thanks Ashstead.

I was on the island at the weekend, just wish I'd stopped up there. :encouragement:

 

[harry potter]

Another walk not to be missed at low tide is from The Crab and Lobster back to the Lifeboat Station. If you ever wondered about Bembridge Ledge this will enlighten you. Not seen it in an easterly but guess it is terrifying.

 

[nicappotamus 2]

we walked along the path out of Bembridge to the lifeboat station last year. Make sure you take cash as there are several little seafood places for lunch which don't do cards and lunch and a beer is almost irresistable in the summer.

 

[oldharry]

Does anybody know the score regarding anchoring at Seaview, off Nettlestone Point? In the 'Eighties I used to row around the moored Seaview dinghies and anchored visitors, but from ashore on recent visits, it looked like buoyed parking for hundreds of RIBs.

I heard there are a few Seaview Yacht Club visitor moorings, but does anything stop one just picking a spot and dropping the hook?

No, and nobody except QHM has the right to tell you otherwise. However be prepared for some dirty looks/comments if you get too close to a moored boat! Also rig an anchor tripline in case you foul somebody's mooring! As i said Ive not been out there yet this year, but generally finding space to anchor amongst moorings is not easy, but if there is room, go for it, bearing in mond your boat with its keels gripped by the tidal flow will lie very differently to Ribs which will lie wind rode.

 

[Channel Sailor]

Agreed, trip line on anchor useful. Just next door in Seagrove I got hooked up on a large old ground chain laid roughly in a North to South direction. There are no moorings currently laid in that bay. As it was shallow, maybe 2-3m at the time, I managed to winch it just enough to see what it was and slip a loop of chain over the anchor shank. Position was roughly 50 d 42’ .87N, 1 d 6’ .03W. Anyway, more central in Seagrove Bay I suspect is better as there is less chance of being on a rock sea bed. I have anchored in Seagrove Bay Area a few times and have noticed a few local yachts from maybe Portsmouth know it well and so often there is someone in the best spot already, also at Springs it does not make for a good nights sleep.

 

[MOBY2]

Go over there quite a lot in the summer, one of my favourite spots I have to say, as mentioned watch out for wash and be sensible anchoring, have only been ashore on the adjacent beach but very pleasant indeed, may go for an explore one of these days, am hoping to go there from Langstone for a few hrs Sunday before heading into Chichester, if a bit lumpy may go round to whitecliffe for shelter, be careful if taking the ground, saw a lovely Sadler being bounced about there, sends shivers down your spine, ma advice stay deep.

 

[burgundyben]

do be on the alert for any wakes from passing boats. I was almost aground there once, planning to dry out on the sand close in, when a tug passed by. The wake lifted my boat and then banged it down hard on the sand, bending a skeg.

I would not under estimate this point, the big container ships leaving Southampton are going at quite a pace past there and the wake can be very big.

 

[Giblets]

I would not under estimate this point, the big container ships leaving Southampton are going at quite a pace past there and the wake can be very big.

And can arrive on shore a considerable time after the offending vessel has long gone.

 

[Greenheart]

My dad tells a story of being there in the 'Thirties after the Queen Mary went through. Kiddies, buckets, deck-chairs and hampers all awash.

 

[oldharry]

My dad tells a story of being there in the 'Thirties after the Queen Mary went through. Kiddies, buckets, deck-chairs and hampers all awash.

My Grandmother told the same story, she was there, but upon the seafront so was OK. A similar thing used to happen in Studland when the HSF first started operating out of Poole. It would accelerate to cruising speed as soon as it cleared the Fairway Buoy, and around 10 minutes later a massive surge would sweep into the Bay and up the beaches, around 2ft deep IIRC, easily enough to sweep kids off their feet. Its why they dont accelerate now until they are another couple of miles off.