Setting & Character
Salterns lies at Lilliput near the harbour entrance, with access from the North Channel. Its current 2026/27 published charges include visitor pontoon berths and seasonal swinging moorings.
Arrival by Sea
A marine business based at Salterns directs visiting craft through the North Channel and identifies the marina entrance from port-hand buoy 36. Because current public sources disagree on the marina working VHF channel, call the marina by telephone before arrival and confirm the channel directly.
Berthing Experience
The marinas 2026/27 schedule lists short-stay visitor berths and daily visiting pontoon charges for vessels from 5m to 20m, with longer stays requiring contact with the marina office.
Facilities
Current local harbour information lists 24-hour petrol and diesel at Salterns. The site also includes chandlery, marine businesses and boatyard activity, but facility availability should be confirmed when booking.
Ashore
Salterns is in residential Lilliput rather than Poole town centre, giving it a quieter shore-side character with local shops and services nearby.
Best For
Crews wanting a marina near the harbour entrance, fuel, visitor berthing and access to marine services without going deep into the harbour.
Less Suitable For
Visitors whose priority is walking straight from the berth into Poole Old Town.
Nearby Cruising
Brownsea Island and Sandbanks are close by, while the North Channel leads directly back toward the harbour entrance.
Skipper's Notes
Confirm the marinas current VHF working channel directly before use. The public sources checked do not agree, so this Draft deliberately leaves the structured VHF field blank.
Information checked against official sources
Visitor charges were checked against Salterns Marinas current 2026/27 schedule. Navigation context was checked against PHC and current local sources; the VHF conflict remains unresolved.
Approach and arrival
Use current PHC directions to enter Poole Harbour and proceed through the North Channel toward Salterns.
Call Salterns Marina on VHF Channel 37 (M) or Channel 80 before entering the marina.
Tidal information
The operator advertises year-round 24-hour access with no tidal restrictions; still use current harbour tide, chart and under-keel-clearance information.
Hazards and cautions
Commercial traffic in Poole Harbour channels.
Practical notes
Call the marina before arrival to confirm berth availability, working VHF channel and any draught restriction relevant to your vessel.
Old Sea Dogs View
Salterns has the location many Poole crews want: inside the shelter but not buried in the harbour. It is particularly useful when fuel, boatyard support and a quick run back to the entrance matter more than being in the middle of town.
Warnings
Use the latest Poole Harbour Commissioners Harbour Guide, Local Notices to Mariners, shipping movements, tide information and marina instructions before arrival.
Public sources checked for Salterns give conflicting VHF information. Confirm the marinas current working channel directly before use.