Cowes Yacht Haven

The marina occupies Vectis Yard on the west bank of the Medina, at the heart of Cowes. Step ashore and the High Street, The Parade and the clubhouses of the Royal Yacht Squadron and its neighbours are a short walk away, with Northwood Park above the town for a quieter stroll.

Follow current Cowes Harbour directions through the main entrance or, for suitable vessels, the Eastern Channel. Listen on Channel 69 for harbour traffic, then call Cowes Yacht Haven on VHF Channel 80 when outside the marina for berthing instructions. Ferries, Red Jet craft and race fleets can all be moving near the entrance at once.

The marina publishes about 260 fully serviced berths. A limited number of overnight berths can be pre-booked by telephone or email; the remaining visitor berths are allocated on arrival for short stays, first come first served.

Overnight berths are available from 12:00 with departure by 11:00 the following day; earlier arrival or later departure may attract a short-stay fee. This is a rafting marina, so expect to raft or be rafted at peak times and cross other boats via the bow by arrangement with their skipper.

All stays include access to toilets and showers, and the marina lists laundry facilities and free Wi-Fi to the boat. Fuel is available from Lallows nearby, and Cowes Harbour Fuel Berth lies on the west bank about 200 metres south of the Chain Ferry. Confirm services for the allocated berth.

The boatyard publishes a 50-ton hoist, a 25-ton boat mover and a 15-ton mobile crane for lift and launch, with on-site engineers, electricians and boat repairers. Winter berthing and dry-sailing packages are offered; confirm capacity and booking before adding technical work to a visit.

This is the most immediately urban of the Cowes marinas: pubs, restaurants, chandlers and the Red Jet terminal are close at hand. The marina’s Events Centre, seating up to 400, and its outdoor exhibition space make it a natural regatta and corporate hub.

Regatta crews, rallies and groups, and visitors who want to step straight into Cowes town life.

Crews seeking a quiet, unrafted berth during major events, or skippers who need a guaranteed overnight berth without booking.

Cowes Yacht Haven sits at the centre of the town’s regatta tradition, hosting fleets for Cowes Week, the Round the Island Race and many other events. The marina describes itself as the Isle of Wight’s first Five Gold Anchor marina and is a member of the TransEurope Marinas network.

From the Medina the whole central Solent is open: Newtown Creek and Yarmouth to the west, the River Hamble, Southampton Water and the Beaulieu River across the water, and Portsmouth to the east.

The practical information in this Guide was checked against the official source record below on 5 October 2026. Operational details can change.