Marina facilities
sparkes Marina
The approach is shallow at or near LW and the best depth is to the lefthand side of the channel close by the HSC pontoon. Sparkes Marina is a clean and modern marina with small restaurant and chandler. 023 9246 3572, www.mdlmarinas.co.uk.
Hayling yacht company
This half-tide marina is reached via Mill Rithe, a long and shallow channel, and has some visitor’s berths. 02392 463592, www.haylingyacht.co.uk.
northney Marina
Northney allows access at all states of tide, although minimum depth in the entrance at MLWS is 0.4m. A compact and friendly marina with a boatyard and lift, with pubs just on the mainland side of Langstone Bridge. 02392466321, www.mdlmarinas.co.uk.
emsworth yacht Harbour
Emsworth has a 2.44m sill and is accessible, depending on draught, for at least an hour, often more, either side of HW. The visitor’s pontoon is on your left as you enter. The effort to get here is worth it. This is a delightful harbour full of interesting boats and people, repair facilities, the wooden boat builder Nick Gates and a café. 01243 377727. www.emsworth-marina.co.uk.
Birdham Pool
This is a locked basin and was one of the last working tide mill pools in Sussex and there are 275 berths. Very pretty and traditional yacht harbour. 01243 512310, www.castlemarinas.co.uk.
chichester Marina
This is the largest marina in the harbour and is locked but accessible over a greater range of tides, and free flow between the two lock gates is often possible near HW. There are some 500 berths at this full-service marina, a chandler, café and Chichester Yacht Club restaurant. 01243 512731, www.premiermarinas.com