Setting & Character
Shepards lies on Medina Road, tucked just before the Chain Ferry on the west bank. The basin is sheltered and the pontoons walk ashore, with the High Street, waterside pubs and the ferry terminals a short stroll away.
Arrival by Sea
Enter Cowes following current harbour directions, keep a close lookout for ferries and commercial traffic, and call Shepards Marina on VHF Channel 80 (call sign “Shepards Wharf”) on approach for a berth. The Chain Ferry has right of way and works the narrow bend just upstream. If arriving outside reception hours, contact the marina in advance so a berth can be arranged.
Berthing Experience
Visitor berths sit at the entrance to the marina on both the north and south basins, with wide water access channels for manoeuvring. Berths can be booked overnight or for a few hours, in advance by phone or on approach by VHF. Expect to raft during busy periods.
Cowes Harbour Commission notes pontoon berths with up to about 3 metres below chart datum on the fairway side of the marina. Published size limits differ between the marina’s pages, so confirm length and draught for the specific berth before arrival.
Facilities Afloat
Electricity (16-amp and 32-amp) and fresh water are provided on the pontoons. The marina lists showers and toilets, free Wi-Fi, waste and recycling, a holding-tank pump-out, Calor and Campingaz exchange, a BBQ area, bicycle racks, accessible washrooms and 24-hour CCTV. Fuel is not sold in the marina itself; Cowes Harbour Fuel Berth is about 200 metres south of the Chain Ferry.
Marine Services
Crane and dry-sailing services are available for smaller boats. Larger vessels needing storage or maintenance are directed to Cowes Harbour Commission’s Kingston Boatyard (01983 299385). Confirm lifting capacity and booking before planning work.
Ashore
Cowes High Street, chandlers, pubs and cafés are a short walk away, as are the Red Jet and Red Funnel terminals. A small cluster of on-site businesses includes a restaurant and a sailmaker, and The Sugar Store waterfront venue hosts events and functions. On-site parking is limited, so public car parks in Cowes are the better option.
Best For
Visiting crews who want a central, well-serviced berth; rallies, clubs and regatta groups, with preferential overnight rates published for groups of six or more boats; and skippers who value the Harbour Commission team on site.
Less Suitable For
Crews who need fuel alongside or full boatyard services on the spot, or anyone expecting a quiet, unrafted berth during Cowes Week.
History & Local Character
As the Harbour Commission’s own marina, Shepards is also the operational base for the team that manages the river pontoons, swinging moorings and pile moorings on the Medina. That gives it a working-harbour feel alongside its visitor trade.
Nearby Cruising
The Medina opens straight onto the central Solent, with Newtown Creek and Yarmouth to the west, the River Hamble and Southampton Water to the north, and Portsmouth Harbour to the east.
Skipper's Notes
Watch the Chain Ferry and the stream on the final approach: the bend is narrow and the tide can set a hesitant boat sideways. Have lines ready for rafting and call ahead if you will arrive after reception closes.
Old Sea Dogs View
Shepards is the practical choice in central Cowes: well run, well placed and refreshingly unfussy. Leave the bustle of the town-front marina to others and you are still only minutes from the High Street.
Information checked against official sources
The practical information in this Guide was checked against the official source record below on 5 October 2026. Operational details can change.
- Shepards Marina official information
- Cowes Harbour navigation guidance
