Arrival by Sea
Approaching from the Eastern Solent, Portsmouth Harbour is entered through a narrow buoyed entrance between Fort Blockhouse and Southsea Castle.
Maintain a listening watch on VHF Channel 11.
Commercial, ferry and naval traffic may have priority.
Small Boat Channel
The Small Boat Channel provides recreational craft with a safer route clear of the main commercial fairway.
Vessels fitted with engines should use them while navigating the Small Boat Channel.
Craft crossing the main channel towards Gunwharf Quays or Town Camber must obtain permission from Portsmouth VTS on VHF Channel 11.
Visitor Berthing Options
Portsmouth Harbour has several principal visitor berthing options. Each marina is operated separately, so contact the chosen marina directly for availability and arrival instructions.
Gunwharf Quays Marina
Telephone: 02392 836732 VHF Channel 80
Central visitor marina beside Gunwharf Quays.
- Ideal for shopping, restaurants and the Historic Dockyard.
Haslar Marina
Telephone: 02392 601201 VHF Channel 80
Premier visitor marina opposite Portsmouth Harbour with excellent facilities and direct access to Gosport.
Gosport Marina
Telephone: 02392 524811 VHF Channel 80
Full-service visitor marina with fuel pontoon and easy harbour access.
Port Solent
Telephone: 02392 210765 VHF Channel 80
Large inland marina reached through a lock.
- Excellent shoreside facilities.
- Fuel available.
Fuel
Diesel and petrol are available at Port Solent Marina and Gosport Marina.
Availability and opening hours vary seasonally.
Water & Electricity
Fresh water is available at the principal visitor marinas.
Electricity is available at the principal marinas subject to berth allocation.
Harbour Facilities
Facilities available around the harbour include:
- Fuel
- Visitor Berths
- Showers
- Laundry
- Repairs
- Lift-outs
- Pump-out where available
- Wi-Fi
- Waste disposal
Ashore
Portsmouth and Gosport provide a broad range of practical and historic destinations ashore.
- Historic Dockyard
- Spinnaker Tower
- Gunwharf Quays
- Royal Navy Museum
- Restaurants
- Provisioning
- Rail station
- Ferry terminal
Best For
Portsmouth Harbour is particularly well suited to:
- Cruising
- Naval history
- Weekend breaks
- Channel crossings
- Families
Less Suitable For
Another destination may suit:
- Skippers unfamiliar with busy commercial harbours
- Visitors uncomfortable with regulated navigation
Nearby Cruising
Portsmouth Harbour provides onward access to destinations across the Solent and neighbouring harbours.
- Cowes
- Bembridge
- River Hamble
- Chichester Harbour
- Langstone Harbour
- Beaulieu River
- Yarmouth
Old Sea Dogs View
Portsmouth has never been an ordinary harbour. Few places in Britain combine so much history with so much modern maritime activity. Warships, ferries, racing yachts and cruising boats all share the same water, demanding patience, awareness and good seamanship.
The reward is immense. Within minutes of securing alongside, visitors can walk from the decks of HMS Victory to the cafs of Gunwharf Quays before watching another destroyer slip quietly to sea.
Treat Portsmouth with respect, keep one ear on Channel 11 and enjoy one of Britain's greatest working harbours.
Information checked against official sources
Primary sources
- King's Harbour Master Portsmouth
- Royal Navy KHM Portsmouth
- Portsmouth International Port
- Gunwharf Quays Marina
- Haslar Marina
- Gosport Marina
- Premier Marinas
