Bembridge Marina

Bembridge Harbour lies at the eastern end of the Isle of Wight, with Duver Marina providing the principal visitor berthing. Saltmarsh, inter-tidal mud, dunes and the Duver give it a quieter, more natural character than the larger commercial marinas farther west in the Solent.

Bembridge is a tidal harbour. A sand bar extends across the beginning of the main outer entrance channel between buoys 1, 2, 2a and 3. Bembridge Harbour Authority provides a live electronic gauge showing depth of water over the bar.

On spring and medium tides the Harbour Authority states that vessels drawing 1.5 metres can typically enter approximately three hours either side of high water. On neap tides where high water Portsmouth is below 4 metres, channel depth may sometimes not exceed 2.2 metres. These are planning indications only.

Duver Marina is the main visitor berthing area. Bembridge Harbour Authority reports an average dredged depth of 1.7 metres MLWS, based on its April 2026 bathymetric survey, with finger berths along both sides of the main pontoon spine.

Visitor berths should normally be booked online. Boats over 18 metres LOA, multihulls and particularly wide vessels should contact the Berthing Office directly. The Berthing Team operates on VHF Channel 80.

Visitor berthing includes water, Harbour Dues and VAT. Shore electricity is available at additional cost. Visiting crews have access to toilets, showers and Wi-Fi.

The Duver gives access to walks, beaches and the villages of St Helens and Bembridge, with local pubs, cafes, restaurants and shops within reach.

Crews who enjoy tidal pilotage, a quieter harbour atmosphere and easy access to the eastern Isle of Wight.

Skippers wanting unrestricted all-tide access, or anyone unwilling to verify current depth over the bar and the latest harbour navigation information before entry.

Bembridge makes a useful eastern Isle of Wight stop for passages through the Solent and towards Portsmouth, Chichester and the eastern approaches.

Check the live Bembridge Harbour depth-over-the-bar gauge before arrival, review current Local Notices to Mariners and contact the Berthing Team on VHF Channel 80 when appropriate.

Bembridge is one of those Solent harbours where working with the tide is part of the appeal. The entrance deserves respect, but once inside the harbour has a character all its own.

This draft was checked against current Bembridge Harbour Authority navigation, visitor berthing and contact information accessed on 13 August 2026. Navigation details can change and should always be checked directly with the Harbour Authority before passage.

A sand bar extends across the beginning of the main outer entrance channel between buoys 1, 2, 2a and 3.

Use the live depth-over-the-bar gauge and current Harbour Authority navigation information before entry.

Sand bar across the outer entrance channel.

Tide-dependent channel depth.

Buoyage and temporary navigation information may change.

Use the live Bembridge Harbour depth-over-the-bar gauge before entry. Check current Local Notices to Mariners and contact the Berthing Team on VHF Channel 80 when appropriate.

Duver Marina is the principal visitor berthing area. Current official harbour information should always take precedence over old cruising-guide figures.

Bembridge Harbour is tidal. Check the live depth-over-the-bar gauge, current buoyage and latest Local Notices to Mariners before entry.