Mooring & berthing in Cowes

There are a large number of moorings, berths, swinging buoys and pontoons both in Cowes Harbour and upstream, in the river Medina.   Mooring facilities for visiting craft are available at Shepard’s Wharf Marina, Cowes Yacht Haven, East Cowes Marina, Whitegates River Pontoons, Folly Inn and at Island Harbour Marina. Mooring charges are indicated, but note these don’t tend to apply during Cowes Week or when a major regatta is booked in, so it pays to enquire in advance.

Cowes is a very busy harbour so you should ensure that your crew is alerted in good time and your boat is prepared for mooring. It is a good idea to know in advance where you intend to berth and to have bow, stern and spring lines ready and fenders outboard on the side you intend to moor up on. You may well need to “raft up” and you should always hail the vessel you intend to moor alongside and request permission as a courtesy.

The following moorings are marked on the above chart:

1. TRINITY LANDING

You may moor for 10 minutes or so for free (ideal for landing or boarding crew) on the fairway side of Trinity Landing, by the Parade.  Note that you should ensure that your vessel is adequately manned whilst alongside. Mooring on the inside of the pontoon is available under the direction and control of the Cowes Harbour Master.

VHF Ch 69 call sign HM1. Overnight mooring £2.00 per metre.

Trinity landing - Barry James Wilson

2. M ROW

A row of heavy duty yellow swinging moorings is laid to the west of the harbour entrance between Egypt Point and the Royal Yacht Squadron from March to October each year, providing deep water moorings for vessels up to 25 metres in length.

VHF Ch 69 call sign HM1. Overnight Moorings £1.25 per metre. Short Stays less than 4hrs from £5.00.

3. COWES ROADS

Just outside the Shrape breakwater, Rows H, J and K are laid to the north and east of the entrance between June and September for vessels between 7-35 metres in length. In addition in July approximately 250 swinging moorings for small day class vessels are laid to the south and east of No. 2 buoy in preparation for the Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week. Most other buoys south of No. 1 and 2 fairway buoys are licensed to residents.

VHF Ch 69 call sign HM1. Overnight Moorings £1.25 per metre. Short Stays less than 4hrs from £5.00.

4. TOWN QUAY

The Town Quay offers pontoon moorings for RIB’s under 9 metres in length and a free scrubbing berth for vessels up to 9 metres in length. Most of the Cowes Water Taxis operate from Town Quay.

VHF Ch 69 call sign HM1. Overnight mooring £2.00 per metre.

5. COWES YACHT HAVEN

The largest marina in Cowes harbour, the Yacht Haven offers excellent access to the town centre and first class facilities.  These include 250 fully serviced berths with 24/7 access, a 30 tonne hoist, 15 tonne mobile crane and 2 tonne static crane.

Facilities include showers, toilets, laundrette, electronic and engine repairs. The Yacht Haven also has one of the largest major events and conference centres on the Island and internet access.

VHF Ch 80 call sign Cowes Yacht Haven 01983 299975  
cowesyachthaven.com

Mooring from £2.90 per metre.

6. SHEPARDS WHARF MARINA

Shepards Wharf is just a few yards on from the Yacht Haven, offering competitive mooring fees, showers, toilets, sanitation pump out facility, water, electric hook up and an on site Portuguese café/restaurant.

Shepards Wharf is a dry sailing centre, with extensive year round dry storage, mobile crane, boat lifting, mast stepping and on site marine services.

VHF Ch 80 call sign Shepards Wharf Marina 01983 297821 
shepardswharfmarina.co.uk

Mooring from £2.25 per metre.

The next set of visitor moorings are past the chain ferry. Pontoons are available both sides of the river although you will need to use the water taxis or your dingy to get ashore. Ideal for uninterrupted peace and tranquil berthing. They represent excellent value and many are suitable for deep draught vessels.

VHF Ch 69 call sign HM1.

Overnight Moorings £1.25 per metre.

Short Stays less than 4hrs from £5.00.

8. EAST COWES MARINA

Situated just a few minutes from the chain ferry, East Cowes Dean & Reddyhoff marina offers superb facilities for 150 visiting yachts and 230 permanent berths, all with shore power and water. This riverside marina complex includes a chandlery, laundrette, yacht brokerage, the Lifeboat Inn (one of East Cowes favourite pubs) and luxury standard showers and toilets. Internet access.

VHF Ch 80 call sign East Cowes Marina 01983 293983
eastcowesmarina.co.uk

Mooring from £3 per metre.

9. FOLLY REACH

It can take as little as 15 minutes to motor to Folly Reach, almost half way up the river Medina. In transit you will pass the UKSA, Britain’s largest sailing school, Kingston Marine Services, Cowes Harbour Commission’s excellent boatyard and marine maintenance facility, the commercial wharves including the Island’s very own (standby) power station and some of the best and protected wildlife habitats. Folly Reach is a world away from the hustle and bustle of Cowes and is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Among other attractions is the famous Folly Inn. Pontoon moorings are available, although most require use of the excellent and frequent Folly water taxis to get ashore.

VHF Ch 72 call sign Folly Reach.

Overnight Moorings £1.25 per metre.

Short Stays less than 4hrs from £5.00.

10. ISLAND HARBOUR

Island Harbour is half a mile upstream of the Folly Inn, it is accessed via lock gates 3 ½ hours either side of high water for yachts with a 1.8 metre draft. It is one of the least discovered ‘gems’ on the Island set in quite outstanding rural countryside but offering easy access to Newport, Osborne House and (just once a year) the site of the Isle of Wight Festival. The marina boasts new shower and toilet facilities, launderette, Wifi, full marine services and (quite amazingly) free car parking for yachting visitors along with extensive hard standing.

The harbour is exceptionally well sheltered, dredged to 2.5 metres and allows immediate access to an extensive network of footpaths and bridleways. Newport is a delightful ½ hour stroll along the riverbank.  

VHF Ch 80 call sign Island Harbour 01983 539994
island-harbour.co.uk

11. NEWPORT QUAY

Located at the head of the river, Newport Quay is a journey back in time, and all the better for it. The harbour is fully tidal, so if you plan to stay you will dry out against the harbour wall or on one of the pontoons. As an alternative moor up against the Bargeman’s Rest for a longish (3 hour) lunch, and head back down river with the ebb tide.

VHF Ch 69 call sign Newport Harbour 01983 525994

PERMANENT MOORINGS

Cowes has a large number of private moorings, yacht club facilities and berths. Many are owned and operated by Cowes Harbour Commission.  If you plan to extend your stay, or would like a permanent mooring, Cowes offers exceptionally competitive rates on a seasonal or annual basis. Please do get in touch via the Harbour Office on 01983 293952.

ANCHORING

One of the few types of mooring not on offer in Cowes is anchoring.  There are simply too many obstructions, ground chains and the like, so it is for all practical purposes forbidden. The only locations you may anchor are upstream of the Folly (this area dries out at low water) or choose the popular alternative of Osborne Bay, 2 miles east of the Shrape breakwater. The holding ground is excellent, and the bay is reasonably well protected.  Unless you are happy to be marooned, avoid at all costs the area immediately north of the Shrape breakwater, as although it looks enticing it dries out at low water.

For further information on mooring and berthing try Cowes Harbour Commission.