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Ryde Roads is situated on the south coast of England, within the Solent and off the northeast corner of the Isle of Wight. It is a secluded anchorage off the west side of the busy commuter town of Ryde, with good access to the town.

Ryde Roads is situated on the south coast of England, within the Solent and off the northeast corner of the Isle of Wight. It is a secluded anchorage off the west side of the busy commuter town of Ryde, with good access to the town.

Set within The Solent, it is a well-protected anchorage from most weather conditions, but it has to be classed as tolerable owing to wash waves that roll the boat through the night. Access is safe and easy as The Solent is a protected waterway with plenty of marks, and there are no outlying dangers on the approach.
Please note

Do not be tempted to go any closer to Ryde Pier than this, as there is little depth to be had immediately east from here, as the entire area west of the pier almost dries as far out as the head of the pier.




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Keyfacts for Ryde Roads
Facilities
Top up fuel available in the area via jerry cansShop with basic provisions availableMini-supermarket or supermarket availableExtensive shopping available in the areaHot food available in the localityPublic house or wine bar in the areaMarked or notable walks in the vicinity of this locationCashpoint or bank available in the areaPost Office in the areaInternet café in the areaDoctor or hospital in the areaPharmacy in the areaBus service available in the areaTrain or tram service available in the areaBicycle hire available in the areaCar hire available in the areaTourist Information office availableShore based family recreation in the area


Nature
No fees for anchoring or berthing in this locationAnchoring locationBeach or shoreline landing from a tenderQuick and easy access from open water

Considerations
Note: Can be subject to wash from commercial vesselsNote: strong tides or currents in the area that require consideration

Protected sectors

Current wind over the protected quadrants
Minimum depth
2 metres (6.56 feet).

Approaches
5 stars: Safe access; all reasonable conditions.
Shelter
3 stars: Tolerable; in suitable conditions a vessel may be left unwatched and an overnight stay.



Last modified
March 13th 2025

Summary

A tolerable location with safe access.


Best time to enter or exit

The Eastern Approaches to the Solent and the run-up to Southampton Water Route location provides a tidal counter and routes to the eastern Solent.
Facilities
Top up fuel available in the area via jerry cansShop with basic provisions availableMini-supermarket or supermarket availableExtensive shopping available in the areaHot food available in the localityPublic house or wine bar in the areaMarked or notable walks in the vicinity of this locationCashpoint or bank available in the areaPost Office in the areaInternet café in the areaDoctor or hospital in the areaPharmacy in the areaBus service available in the areaTrain or tram service available in the areaBicycle hire available in the areaCar hire available in the areaTourist Information office availableShore based family recreation in the area


Nature
No fees for anchoring or berthing in this locationAnchoring locationBeach or shoreline landing from a tenderQuick and easy access from open water

Considerations
Note: Can be subject to wash from commercial vesselsNote: strong tides or currents in the area that require consideration



HM  +44 1983 613879
 Ch.80 [Ryde Harbour]

Position and approaches
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Haven position

50° 44.350' N, 001° 11.038' W

This is about 700 metres off the shoreline and north of a small port marker.


What are the key points of the approach?

Use Eastern Approaches to the Solent and the run-up to Southampton Water Route location as your guide for sailing along the eastern and northeastern shores of the Isle of Wight.


Not what you need?
Click the 'Next' and 'Previous' buttons to progress through neighbouring havens in a coastal 'clockwise' or 'anti-clockwise' sequence. Below are the ten nearest havens to Ryde Roads for your convenience.
Ten nearest havens by straight line charted distance and bearing:
  1. Ryde Harbour - 1.2 nautical miles ESE
  2. Wootton Creek (Fishbourne) - 1.2 nautical miles WSW
  3. Stokes Bay - 2.6 nautical miles NNE
  4. Osborne Bay - 2.9 nautical miles WNW
  5. Seaview - 3.3 nautical miles ESE
  6. Folly Inn - 3.7 nautical miles W
  7. Island Harbour Marine - 3.7 nautical miles WSW
  8. Priory Bay - 4 nautical miles ESE
  9. Haslar Marina - 4.1 nautical miles NE
  10. Bembridge Harbour - 4.2 nautical miles SE
These havens are ordered by straight line charted distance and bearing, and can be reordered by compass direction or coastal sequence:
  1. Ryde Harbour - 1.2 miles ESE
  2. Wootton Creek (Fishbourne) - 1.2 miles WSW
  3. Stokes Bay - 2.6 miles NNE
  4. Osborne Bay - 2.9 miles WNW
  5. Seaview - 3.3 miles ESE
  6. Folly Inn - 3.7 miles W
  7. Island Harbour Marine - 3.7 miles WSW
  8. Priory Bay - 4 miles ESE
  9. Haslar Marina - 4.1 miles NE
  10. Bembridge Harbour - 4.2 miles SE
To find locations with the specific attributes you need try:

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Chart
Please use our integrated Navionics chart to appraise the haven and its approaches. Navionics charts feature in premier plotters from B&G, Raymarine, Magellan and are also available on tablets. Open the chart in a larger viewing area by clicking the expand to 'new tab' or the 'full screen' option.

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What's the story here?
Family boat anchored in Ryde Roads
Image: Michael Harpur


Ryde Roads is a sheltered area situated off the northeast corner of the Isle of Wight, adjacent to the main naval anchorage at Spithead. It lies close west of the prominent Ryde Pier, which extends 800 metres north of the town and immediately south of the Solent's principal fairway between Ryde and Gilkicker Point.


The problem with the anchorage is the sudden arrival of wash from The Solent's
commercial traffic

Image: Michael Harpur


This area offers an easy access drop-in anchorage for a tide with an overnight stay that is naturally protected by its location. The only problem is the wakes from the commercial traffic plying their trade in this busy waterway.


How to get in?
The conspicuous location marker Ryde Pier with the lighter colours of the
shallower sands showing through

Image: Michael Harpur


Western Approach Western approaches may utilise the Western Approaches to The Solent and the run-up to Southampton Route location for entry via The Needles, the Western Solent, including its eastern shorelines to the north and south, continuing to connect Cowes and the River Medina. The guide for Cowes and the River Medina Route location offers a tide timer and sailing directions for exiting all berths along the River Medina.

Eastern Approach The Eastern Approaches to The Solent and the run-up to Southampton Water Route location guides the approaches to the Eastern Solent, the eastern side of the Isle of Wight, and the northeastern coastline, through to Cowes and the River Medina.


Anchored yachts as seen from the shoreline
Image: Michael Harpur


Initial fix location Come directly south from the initial fix where a small unlit port buoy is moored close inside the drying extremity of the shore will be seen on approach.


Yachts anchored in Ryde Roads
Image: Michael Harpur


Haven location Anchor over excellent mud and sand holding about 300 metres out from the port mark. The shore immediately south of the anchorage has rocky ledges that look a challenge to land upon.


Ryde Roads shoreline
Image: Michael Harpur


Better landings can be found inshore of Ride West Sands to the east of the pier, just under a mile by tender from the anchorage. On Spring tides, the beach is covered, so draw the dinghy up and secure it. Otherwise, at high water, the beach is steep too, but at half tide and low water, there are many rocks that must be avoided on approach.


The beach inshore of Ryde West Sands
Image: Michael Harpur


The easiest way to approach is from the position of a new and very attractive beach chalet set above the beach, where the footing is reasonably clear.
Please note

Take caution with the remains of a single boat rib that juts out from the seabed at half tide. It is approximately 200 metres from the chalet, and colliding with it at any speed would be unfortunate. A 5-litre red fuel can, located about five metres north of this obstruction, seems to serve as an improvised marker buoy at this time visit.




Why visit here?
This is a lovely, quiet anchorage in southerly conditions save for the sudden appearance of wash. Although it involves a lengthy dinghy run, it is very much removed from the busy town of Ryde and overlooks a charming forested shoreline dotted with pretty townhouses. This allows you to enjoy the advantages of the town while keeping its bustling seafront somewhat at arm's length.


Ryde Roads is a lovely spot to watch a summer sunset over the New Forrest
Image: Michael Harpur


Ryde Roads offers an opportunity to anchor off the grand old Victorian seaside resort that became known as the 'Gateway to the Isle of Wight' - Ryde Harbour Click to view haven covers the area's interests.

As Ryde dries entirely, Ryde Roads provides an opportunity for boaters whose vessels need to remain afloat and who wish to visit the area.


What facilities are available?
There are no facilities in Ryde Roads's secluded anchorage. However, a 45-minute sail to Cowes, Portsmouth, or the River Hamble provides almost any conceivable marine service or facility a vessel could require.


Any security concerns?
Never an issue known to have occurred to a vessel anchored off West Ryde.


With thanks to:
Michael Harpur, S/Y Whistler, Southampton, UK.




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