Our Favourite Sailing Destinations in The Solent
The Solent is a sailing haven famed for its dynamic conditions and beautiful destinations. Whether you're a seasoned sailor or a beginner, the Solent offers a variety of picturesque harbors, charming towns, and serene anchorages. Here’s a guide to our favourite sailing destinations in the area.
1. Cowes
Highlights:
- World-renowned yachting hub.
- Host of the prestigious Cowes Week regatta.
- Bustling town with excellent marinas and a vibrant atmosphere.
Cowes, located on the Isle of Wight, is synonymous with sailing. Known globally for Cowes Week, one of the oldest and largest sailing regattas, the town offers a lively ambiance, well-equipped marinas, and a rich sailing heritage. Stroll through the quaint streets, enjoy waterfront dining, and soak in the maritime vibe.
2. Beaulieu River
Highlights:
- Tranquil and scenic sailing experience.
- Historic Beaulieu Village and Palace House.
- Stunning natural surroundings within the New Forest National Park.
Sailing up the Beaulieu River is a serene escape. The river meanders through beautiful landscapes, leading to the charming village of Beaulieu. Here, you can explore the Beaulieu Abbey, the National Motor Museum, and the stately Palace House. The journey up the river is as delightful as the destination itself.
3. Lymington
Highlights:
- Historic Georgian market town.
- Top-notch marinas and yacht clubs.
- Gateway to the western Solent and the iconic Needles.
Lymington, at the edge of the New Forest, offers a blend of historic charm and modern facilities. Its marinas are perfect for a stopover, allowing you to explore the town’s cobbled streets, bustling Saturday market, and excellent pubs and restaurants. The nearby nature reserves and coastal paths add to its allure.
4. Portsmouth Harbour
Highlights:
- Rich naval history with attractions like HMS Victory and the Mary Rose Museum.
- Vibrant waterfront and Gunwharf Quays shopping center.
- Spinnaker Tower with panoramic views.
Portsmouth Harbour is a vibrant mix of historical significance and modern amenities. The Historic Dockyard, home to famous ships like HMS Victory, offers a deep dive into naval history. The bustling Gunwharf Quays features shopping, dining, and entertainment, while the Spinnaker Tower provides stunning views over the Solent.
5. Yarmouth
Highlights:
- Picturesque harbor with a mix of traditional and modern facilities.
- Charming town with historic architecture.
- Access to excellent walking trails and coastal scenery.
Yarmouth, on the Isle of Wight, is a quaint harbor town with a relaxed vibe. Its historic pier, Yarmouth Castle, and beautiful coastal walks make it a delightful stop. The well-sheltered harbor ensures a safe and peaceful mooring spot.
6. Osborne Bay
Highlights:
- Sheltered anchorage with stunning views.
- Proximity to Osborne House, Queen Victoria’s former residence.
- Peaceful and scenic surroundings.
Osborne Bay, near East Cowes, offers a tranquil anchorage with picturesque views of Osborne House. It's an ideal spot for a peaceful overnight stay, with the opportunity to explore the historic house and its beautiful gardens.
7. Chichester Harbour
Highlights:
- Designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
- Extensive network of sheltered waterways.
- Charming villages like Bosham and Itchenor.
Chichester Harbour is a haven for nature lovers and those seeking tranquil sailing. The harbor's extensive waterways are dotted with charming villages, each offering unique attractions. Bosham, with its historic church and tidal mill, and Itchenor, known for its sailing club and waterfront pubs, are particularly delightful.
8. Studland Bay
- Stunning sandy beaches and clear waters.
- Proximity to Old Harry Rocks, a famous natural landmark.
- Excellent anchorage with beautiful coastal scenery.
Studland Bay, although technically just outside the Solent, is a fantastic destination for those exploring the area. The bay offers a beautiful anchorage with clear waters and sandy beaches. It's also close to Old Harry Rocks, providing breathtaking coastal views and excellent opportunities for swimming and relaxing.
The Solent is a sailor's paradise, offering a variety of destinations each with its unique charm and attractions. Whether you're seeking the excitement of Cowes Week, the tranquility of the Beaulieu River, or the historical intrigue of Portsmouth Harbour, the Solent has something for every sailor. Plan your trip, set sail, and explore these incredible destinations for an unforgettable sailing adventure.
WHAT CLIENTS SAY
Charted a Bavaria 36 for a weekend trip. Last minute booking and super impressed with how we managed to sort thing out so quickly and easily after just a couple of e-mails and phone calls. Arrived late Friday after office was closed but check in pack had been left for us to pick up and overnight onboard. Boat very nicely kitted out and left Sat morning to ride Westerly tide to Lymington. Great local knowledge given during the morning walk through about where to moor and get dinner. Nice sail back on Sunday. Weather turned foul but she handled really well under full sail. Everyone on board enjoyed themselves and it's exactly what I'd hoped for from the weekend. This was first time sailing from Hamble and it's a great location to get quickly into the Solent. Definitely will be back once weather warms up and days get longer to try some longer trips. Thank you Hamble Point Charters for a great weekend !
My family and I had a great charter experience recently thanks to Alex, Andy and the whole team. Well maintained boat, friendly service and advice. We plan to charter again next year with them.
Alex, Becca and the team could not have been more helpful considering we called them at 4:45 Tuesday for a boat on Wednesday, another charter company had let us down at the last minute. Check-out and back in was well organized and we had a great 3 days sailing.
As a family, including our 4 year old Labrador, we recently chartered a 'bareboat' yacht from Hamble Point Charters for 7 days to cruise the Solent. The company were fantastic from our first enquiry to handing back the boat. The yacht was clean and well presented. A great week and we will happily use them again!
We have just had another wonderful week on a yacht we chartered from Hamble Point Yacht Charters. We have sailed several of their boats, this time it was a lovely 35 foot Bavaria. Chartering from HPYC is always an easy choice for us: the boats are well maintained, support is excellent, and the staff are always super friendly and helpful. On top of that, Hamble Point is such an ideal starting location for sailing around the Solent.
This is truly a 5 * service. The team really looked after us both ashore on arrival and also while at sea. We were a relatively inexperienced crew but always felt the team ashore had our backs. Thoroughly recommended.
I just wanted to say Thank-you very much for the weekend charter. It was exactly what we were after (albeit cold!) plus Andy was an awesome teacher and great company. We’ll definitely be keen to book again soon!
We had a fabulous four days. Marina is ideally placed for the Solent, boat was in great condition, well equipped and a joy to sail. We were well briefed and the shore side team including the dog very friendly.
We charted one of the sailing yachts for a fantastic weekend cruise in the Solent. The boat was in superb condition and well equipped, the staff was very helpful explaining how things work on the yacht and there was also a video available with all the important information. 10/10 would recommend!
Had a fantastic week chartering Blue Otter, Alex was incredibly helpful and sent loads of information and date checking prior to booking. There was a handover video and both the handover and return were really smooth. The boat was lovely and well maintained and Lee was really helpful in recommending places to visit (and helping identify the steering issue as an autopilot takeover - doh!). Definitely will be back and would fully recommend!
Just back from a lovely week in the Solent. Great service from HPYC from first inquiry through to return handover. Very straightforward to deal with, and the yacht was in excellent condition. We've chartered from many companies in the UK and abroad and the attention to detail (and flawless inventory!) was second to none. Everything about the yacht and equipment had clearly been well looked after and was in immaculate condition. Great service, will use again.
Always very friendly service, and well-maintained yachts. Easy check-in and checkout. Will be back...
We had a great time and were very happy with everything. Your team were genuinely friendly and were very helpful when we needed it. Is a big contrast to many charter companies I have dealt with in the past.
Watching the sun go down with a glass of bubbly on the deck of a sparkling yacht was unbelievable. What a treat, and a much needed change of scenery in these troubled times. We will be back for sure
Fab service, nothing too much trouble, including my daft questions. I'll be a repeat customer for sure!