Newport Harbour

Newport Harbour is a small leisure harbour situated at the navigable head of the River Medina, some 5 miles south from the port of Cowes. Newport harbour is a 5-minute walk to the centre of Newport. There are a broad range of facilities and activities, including swimming pool, leisure centre, community theatre, cinema, hotel, supermarkets and pubs and restaurants available nearby. Furthermore, due to its central location it makes an ideal destination to explore the Island by the cycle and footpaths. The harbour is also within walking distance of readily available buses that service the whole Island.

The visitor pontoons are walk ashore, additionally there is a quay wall for fin keel vessels. At both of these locations, there is power and water available. Throughout the year the quay is used by many events these include Food markets, car shows, festivals and various marine events. To reach Newport Harbour from Cowes, a beacon at the Folly displays a rapid flashing green light. This is located 1.5 cables south of the Folly Inn Point at the end of the row of yacht moorings. Moving south, two pairs of fixed green lights are located on the west bank, at the northern and southern ends of the Cement Mills site. At Dodnor, a further pair of fixed green lights mark the end of a small jetty extending from the west bank.

Shallow points upstream are marked by red buoys on the port side and green buoys on the starboard. On the east bank, the approach to Newport Harbour is identified by large white beacons with pairs of horizontal red lights showing at night. When lined up, these beacons bear a course of 192º T and show the approach channel to the harbour.

HW Spring tides give an average 2.5m depth in the approach channel and at the visitors’ pontoons, but this may increase depending on weather conditions. The Neap high tide depth is 1.8m. The harbour dries out at LW, around 5 hours after HW, revealing a firm level bottom. Newport Harbour has basic showers and toilets, water & electricity, waste facilities and slipways..

Contact: Newport Harbour Office, Newport Quay Newport, PO30 2ED. Tel. 01983 823885. Email: Newport.harbour@iow.gov.uk Website: iwight.com                                                     

Island Harbour

Image Credit: Island Harbour

Island Harbour – Set in one of the most picturesque riverside locations, in an area of outstanding natural beauty, Island Harbour is situated just over a mile south of East Cowes. This peaceful friendly countryside marina is ideally suited to families with children and dogs. There are over 200 walk ashore finger berths, as well as many amenities including a fully refurbished restaurant, with a superb children’s play area.

There are also showers, a laundry room, car parking, free Wi-Fi, a well-stocked chandlery, winter hard standing, on site boat repairers, a 50 ton travel hoist and slipway. Call Sign ‘Island Harbour’ on VHF CH80. Notify the Marina of your arrival when entering the Folly Reach. To enter Island Harbour, continue up the main channel until you reach the red lane markers, then make your turn as directed by the duty Lock Keeper. There is a ‘waiting pontoon’ opposite the lane markers which can be used for a short stay fee. Access is approximately 4 hours either side of HW depending on your draft, although there is a 2.2 metre draught restriction into the marina over the lock gates’ sill. Marina staff are always on hand to help you through the lock, as well as to assist you onto your berth in inclement weather.                                                                                                                   

Contact: Island Harbour, Mill Lane, Binfield, Newport, PO30 2LA. Tel: 01983 539994. Website: island-harbour.co.uk

Please note, this information is to be used as a guide only and not for navigation.