Langstone Harbour
Langstone Harbour lies on Hampshire’s southeast coast, a large tidal bay between Portsmouth Harbour to the west and Chichester Harbour to the east. Commercial shipping, fishing, and recreational boating have been well established in the peaceful, sheltered waters of the harbour for many years
Image Credit: Langstone Harbour Board
There is abundant wildlife in Langstone Harbour which remains an area of real wilderness alongside the major city of Portsmouth. Sailors, boaters and other water sports enthusiasts share the harbour with the resident wildlife, and providing a little consideration is shown, all the different uses can coexist in harmony. Langstone Harbour contains a number of nesting islands and landing is not allowed. Visitors should avoid trampling the mud and saltmarsh plants to ensure their survival into the future.
Langstone Harbour is a shallow, natural harbour with extensive mudflats which are exposed during low tide. The whole harbour is one of Hampshire’s several ‘Sites of Special Scientific Interest’ (SSSI) with international status. Together with neighbouring Chichester Harbour, it is a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, and part of the Solent European Marine Site.
The approach to Langstone Harbour is easy in most weather conditions, but best from High Water -3 to +1 hour. The entrance channel lies between the East and West Winner banks. Some protection may be offered by the East Winner bank, which dries at low water. With the Fairway beacon, approximately 1 mile to the south of the harbour entrance, in line with a conspicuous chimney, a course of 344º will pass between the southern extremity of the East Winner shoal and the Langstone Bar. From the Fairway beacon the course to the harbour entrance is 352º. Allowance should be made for a west-going tide after HW-3h. The entrance itself deepens and favours the west side.
Inbound vessels of up to 85 metres length may be encountered in the harbour approaches between HW-2h and HW-1h. These vessels are constrained by their draught and should be given a wide berth. The harbour speed limit is 10 knots and because of the environmental sensitivity of the area’s wildlife, there are also restrictions on certain activities. Chichester Harbour is accessible under the Hayling road bridge for vessels of low air draught at certain states of the tide.
Two visitor moorings (May–Sept) have been established to the north of the mulberry harbour in approximate position 50º 48.1N 001º 01.5W. A third visitor mooring has been established in Sinah Lake. Vessels must not be left unattended on these moorings. All vessels using Langstone Harbour are obliged to pay harbour dues; this includes vessels visiting Southsea Marina.
All vessels on the water must display their daily or annual plaque. Fuel, water, and waste reception facilities are available at the Hayling pontoon. Harbour Office call up is VHF Ch 68/16; the working frequency is Ch 68. In season the Harbour Office is open 0900-1700.
There are three public slipways in Langstone Harbour; the Ferry Point slipway, Hayling Island; Eastney slipway, Portsmouth; and the Broadmarsh slipway, Havant.
Contact: Langstone Harbour Board, Harbour Office, Ferry Road, Hayling Island, PO11 0DG. Tel: 02392 463419. Email: admin@langstoneharbour.org.uk Website: langstoneharbour.org.uk
Southsea Marina
Credit Image: Premier Marinas Southsea Marina
Southsea Marina is a small friendly marina set in Langstone Harbour. Contact the marina on VHF Ch. 80 call sign ‘Southsea Marina’ when approaching Southsea Marina channel to be given berthing instructions. The speed limit in the marina channel is 5 knots. Southsea Marina has a tidal gate that opens +/- 3 hours either side of high water and, when closed there is a waiting pontoon. The tides for Southsea Marina and the times of the tidal gate opening and closing are available to download at premiermarinas.com/southsea. Southsea Marina offers luxury facilities, a launderette, an on-site bar and restaurant, 24-hour diesel and petrol and a fully serviced boatyard. The marina also has an active fishing club, free Wi-Fi, electricity and water on the pontoons and bottled gas. A convenience store and a cashpoint are 10 minutes’ walk away.
Contact: Premier Southsea Marina, Fort Cumberland Road, Portsmouth, PO4 9RJ. Tel: 02392 822719. Email: southsea@premiermarinas.com VHF 80
Please note, this information is to be used as a guide only and not for navigation
