Isle of Wight

Island

4.4

St. Helens, Ryde

United Kingdom

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The Isle of Wight is a county and the largest and second most populous island in England. It is located in the English Channel, about 4 mi off the coast of Hampshire, separated from mainland Great Britain by the Solent. Wikipedia

"The Isle of Wight () is a county and the largest and second-most populous island of England. It is in the English Channel, between two and five miles off the coast of Hampshire, from which it is separated by the Solent. The island has resorts that have been holiday destinations since Victorian times, and is known for its mild climate, coastal scenery, and verdant landscape of fields, downland and chines. The island is part of the historic county of Hampshire. It is designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

The island has been home to the poets Algernon Charles Swinburne and Alfred, Lord Tennyson and to Queen Victoria, who built her much-loved summer residence and final home Osborne House at East Cowes. It has a maritime and industrial tradition including boat-building, sail-making, the manufacture of flying boats, hovercraft, and Britain's space rockets. The island hosts annual music festivals including the Isle of Wight Festival, which in 1970 was the largest rock music event ever held. It has well-conserved wildlife and some of the richest cliffs and quarries for dinosaur fossils in Europe.

The island has played an important part in the defence of the ports of Southampton and Portsmouth, and been near the front-line of conflicts through the ages, including the Spanish Armada and the Battle of Britain. Rural for most of its history, its Victorian fashionability and the growing affordability of holidays led to significant urban development during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Historically part of Hampshire, the island became a separate administrative county in 1890. It continued to share the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire until 1974, when it was made its own ceremonial county. Apart from a shared police force and Fire and Rescue Service, and the island's Anglican churches belonging to the Diocese of Portsmouth (originally Winchester), there is now no administrative link with Hampshire; although a combined local authority with Portsmouth and Southampton was considered, this is now unlikely to proceed.The quickest public transport link to the mainland is the hovercraft from Ryde to Southsea; three vehicle ferry and two catamaran services cross the Solent to Southampton, Lymington and Portsmouth." Wikipedia

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Latest Reviews

Keyhaven Lake

4.2

Windy and exposed to strong tides with a ledge quickly dropping from 15 to 0m depth at low tide. We anchored briefly for lunch watching the plethora of yachts battling downwind against the tide and others shooting past on close haul.

Yarmouth Marina

4.0

A very very pretty little marina, surrounded by an oldie worldie town. Lots of pretty little streets to wander around. The marina is situated right next to the town and has a friendly vibe. We found it very easy to get in and out. The showers and toilets were fine, all well kept. We had a wonderful evening eating and drinking at The George. We would highly recommend stopping in and enjoying Yarmouth for a night or two. We will be going back, for sure.

Yarmouth Marina

4.9

Efficient and friendly welcome. A little busy but enough space to raft up for a bight next to a wonderful couple on a Hallberg Rassey. Salty’s closed sue to covid :-( but im sure we’ll find somewhere to eat otherwise dinner on boat.

East Cowes Marina

4.9

A well maintained clean busy marina with a great modern pub ‘Lifeboat’ on the eastern side of the river Medina.

Folly Reach Marina

4.9

A pleasant meander up the creek and a friendly welcome to the Folly Inn with taxi service from mooring pontoons.

Cowes Yacht Haven Marina

5.0

I've only been here during Cowes week so this may not be representative of other weeks, but OMG such a busy and packed like sardines marina. Good facilities on shore and a fab little sandwich bar does great early breakfast!

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Top Marinas, Harbours and Anchorages

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1 . Yarmouth Marina

3.8

A largish marina with good shelter and moorings and a short walk into the picturesque fishing, ferry and yachting port, widely regarded as one of the jewels of the South Coast. The deepwater harbou...

In Yarmouth

2 . Cowes Yacht Haven Marina

3.8

Cowes Yacht Haven represents the heart of the sailing world in Cowes. Whether you are looking to berth your boat or entertain corporate clients in a unique setting, Cowes Yacht Haven has it all. Ce...

In Cowes

3 . Folly Reach Marina

3.7

It can take as little as 20 minutes to motor to Folly Reach from the harbour entrance. Almost halfway up the River Medina, it is a world away from the hustle and bustle of Cowes and is designated a...

In Cowes

4 . East Cowes Marina

3.7

With the exception of a few berths, the marina is dredged to 2m. We've happily moored Clipper round-the-world yachts, Swan 60s and even a Volvo 70. Very deep draught yachts should check clearance a...

In East Cowes

5 . Keyhaven Lake

3.4

A U bend behind the sandbank is shallow and all but dries in low tide but may provide anchorage for the right boat in the right condition.

In Yarmouth

6 . Trinity Landing Harbour

2.5

Trinity Landing is located just inside the entrance to Cowes Harbour and provides walk-ashore access to the heart of Cowes. It is often used as a landing point for visiting vessels.

In Cowes

7 . Cowes Roads Swinging Moorings Harbour

2.5

Two rows of heavy duty yellow swinging moorings are laid, one to the west of the harbour entrance between Egypt Point and the Royal Yacht Squadron, providing deep water moorings for vessels up to 2...

In Cowes

8 . Shepards Wharf Marina

2.5

Short-term and overnight berthing managed and run by friendly staff who know and love their local area and whose mission is to help you draw the best from your boating experiences. Wide water acces...

In Cowes

9 . Town Quay Harbour

2.5

Adjacent to the Red Jet terminal and in front of the Cowes Harbour Office providing easy, walk-ashore access direct to Cowes High Street. Vessels of up to 7m in length are permitted to use the pont...

In Cowes

10 . Whitegates Pontoons Harbour

2.5

Visitor moorings just past the Chain Ferry on the port side. You will need to use the water taxis or your dinghy to get ashore. These moorings are quiet and ideal for craft wishing to stay overnigh...

In Cowes

11 . Island Marina

2.5

Island Harbour is set in a beautiful and secluded valley and offers easy access to Newport, Osborne House and (just once a year) the site of the Isle of Wight Festival. The marina offers over 200 b...

In Cowes

12 . Clamerkin Lake

2.5

The central channel of Newtown River has a scattering of mooring buoys and anchorages.

In Yarmouth

13 . Alum Bay

2.5

This anchorage with stunning white cliff backdrop may provide good anchorage and shelter in the right conditions.

In Yarmouth

14 . Freshwater Bay

2.5

A small bay inset from the land on the southern side of the Isle of Wight a short distance from the needles.

In Yarmouth

15 . Newport Harbour

2.5

At the end of the River Medina is the Newport Harbour which is tidal and dries for all but small draft boats.

In Cowes

16 . Wooteton Creek

2.5

A couple of pontoons offer shore side mooring for shallow draft boats.

In Cowes

17 . Ryde Harbour

2.5

Ryde Harbour is situated on the seafront on the north-east coast of the Isle of Wight. The Harbour is ideal for family cruising holidays as it is located next to Ryde's long sandy beaches and only...

In Ryde

18 . Bembridge Marina

2.5

Access to the Harbour is restricted to High Water + or - 3 hrs for vessels drawing 1.5m. Bembridge Marina, home to 80 permanent berth holders, has a taxi landing spot and is the stop off for the Br...

In Bembridge

19 . Duver

2.5

This long pontoon is often full of yachts rafting three or four abreast.

In Bembridge

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Top Towns

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1 . Cowes
(England )

4.1

Cowes is a very popular sailing destination on the Isle of Wight home to round the island race.

In Cowes

2 . Yarmouth
(England )

3.8

A large an characteristic town on the north western coast of the Isle of Wight overlooking Lymington.

In Yarmouth

3 . East Cowes
(England )

3.7

Cowes is an English seaport town and civil parish on the Isle of Wight. Cowes is located on the west bank of the estuary of the River Medina, facing the smaller town of East Cowes on the east bank....

In East Cowes

4 . Ryde
(England )

2.5

Ryde is a seaside town on the northern coast of the Isle of Wight with an unusual long pier for a ferry terminal that has a train running long it. Home to a small local harbour.

In Ryde