SOUTH COAST ANCHORAGES
The South Coast of the UK from the western Solent to Dover is full of anchorages and decent spots to stop but it does suffer from a couple of issues. The first is that if we are to take the above definition then we immediately lose a significant proportion of the coastline we are discussing. The second is that what remains is both extremely popular and a relatively small area.
To the east of Chichester good boltholes can be found but in terms of cruising, there can be little to see and so little in the way of cruising from anchorage to anchorage to be done.
Typically, (perhaps unfairly) the view is that this is a coast to be sailed past rather than around. There are several big marinas that make for a decent spot to stop if you are making passage from the east coast to the south for the summer, before you look for something more picturesque and quiet.
1 EAST HEAD is a popular spot in Chichester Harbour, located where the channel passes close to the sandy beach of the Head. The beach is steep-to so you can get in quite close. When it’s crowded (and it does get crowded), you may find yourself exposed to strong tidal streams if you have to anchor on the edge of the channel. In that case you might be better to head to the nearby anchorage off 2 PILSEY ISLAND, which is usually quieter. It’s located at the west side of the lower end of Thorney Channel. Don’t try to land on Pilsey Island in spring or summer as there are rare birds that nest there.
Probably the top Solent anchorage is
NEWTOWN RIVER. It has quiet beauty, is surrounded by nature reserves, offers near-perfect shelter from all directions, decent good holding and boasts a sandy beach. In recent years its popularity has increased to the point that it is almost a no-go in the height of the season, but if you are looking for a spot during the quieter months it is still tough to beat.
Many Solent anchorages have drawbacks – shipping wash, indifferent shelter, no public landing, shallow water – but 4 HURST POINT has few of these drawbacks. It enjoys protection from all winds except NE and is right next to the tidal gate of Hurst Narrows, making it the ideal jumping-off point for a cruise to the West Country or France. Poole Harbour is a great place to spend some time and there are plenty of anchoring spots here. It can get very busy in the summer months, but if you head round the back of Brownsea Island you can find the very fine and usually quieter 5 WHITEGROUND LAKE. The main problem here for some will be depth. Once round the back of Brownsea and following the red poles between the island and the smaller Furzey Island things can get pretty shallow. If you draw 1.5m or less it’s usually okay but if you draw much more than that you may struggle.
Just over a mile west of Brownsea, the beautiful anchorage off 6 SHIPSTAL POINT is a Poole Harbour gem, a shallow creek behind Long Island at the head of the Upper Wych Channel. There are moorings here but also room to anchor between the saltings. Neap tides are best and you need high water to get in, but there are reasonable low tide depths opposite the north end of 3 Long Island.
7 GOATHORN POINT is located on the southern shores of Poole Harbour. It does tend to get busy during the season and especially so during fine summer weekends. Remember that there is no landing permitted at Goathorn Point. The channel is only marked with steel posts/buoys but there is more depth of water to the south side of this channel to moor in. The north side shallows up quickly.
Given the area’s popularity generally many of the best anchorages will be well known to many. In strong blows from SW or NW, Poole Harbour becomes unpleasantly draughty but Studland’s hills and trees usually weaken the wind without causing violent gusts and even a strong southerly may not send in much swell, possibly because the approaches are shallow, as such 8 STUDLAND BAY is a decent option. When the wind fades, this reverts to being a superb holiday anchorage.
A little further along the coast to the west are the popular spots of 9 CHAPMAN’S POOL and 10 LULWORTH COVE. Both of these I find can be a bit rolly, but with diligent planning and anchoring are nice spots all the same.
Chapman’s can be a little difficult as there is really only space for a couple of boats, so it is not necessarily a reliable stop – you may well find it full already. The same is true of Lulworth, with the added inconvenience that if there is a building sea overnight it can be difficult to get out of. In the best conditions when not busy they do remain great spots.