BEMBRIDGE HARBOUR BEMBRIDGE HARBOUR
50º41’.62N, 01º06’.40W + (ENT)
Bembridge Harbour lies on the eastern tip of the Isle of Wight, just a short sail from many Solent harbours with Chichester, Langstone, and Portsmouth all within a 10-mile radius. For yachtsmen embarking on a Channel crossing, Bembridge Harbour has the added attraction that it is at least an hour closer to the continent than the mainland marinas at the same end of the Solent.
Image: Bembridge Harbour Authority
The Harbour is designated a ‘Site of Special Scientific Interest’ in recognition of its significance as a habitat for wildlife. The Harbour’s European importance is confirmed by its status as a ‘Special Protection Area’ and it is designated a ‘wetland of international importance’ under the Ramsar Convention. There is an area of saltmarsh as well as other important habitats such as sand dunes, vegetated shingle, and saline lagoons, the saltmarsh and intertidal mud providing feeding grounds for wintering and migratory waterfowl, and the Island’s only RSPB site edges onto the Harbour. Bembridge is a large, picturesque, sheltered harbour with beautiful beaches, and although the entrance is tidally restricted, once inside its shelter a warm welcome awaits visitors whatever the weather. It’s flanked by the villages of Bembridge and St Helens, home to a variety of pubs, cafes, and eateries offering the best Island produce. The entrance is due south of Portsmouth Harbour and is marked by a tide gauge topped with a yellow cross. As you pass the tide gauge the village of Seaview will be to starboard and St Helens Fort to port. Vessels should leave the tide gauge to port on their approach which will line them up with pairs of channel markers - the first pair being buoys 1 and 2 which are lit - all other buoys are marked with reflective tape. On passing buoys 6a and 7a you will be running parallel to the shore with the Harbour entrance appearing in the distance. On big Spring tides beware of a strong current through into the Harbour. A live-feed electronic tide height gauge, showing the depth of water over the bar, is displayed on the Harbour website and at the
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