Hurst Road is situated immediately within the Western Solent, close north of Hurst Point, outside and on the approaches to the entrance to Keyhaven. It offers an easily accessible and convenient anchorage just off the beach.

Situated in an open roadstead Hurst Road makes for a tolerable anchorage in moderate westerly component conditions. Access is straightforward as there are no outlying dangers and the water shoals predictably.

On some tides there can be a tendency for vessels to lie side-on and role.

Keyfacts for Hurst Road

Position and approaches

Haven position

50° 42.539' N, 001° 32.984' W

This is about 100 metres off the beach at the foot of Hurst Point Light.

What is the initial fix?

This is the position of the Yellow race mark (March - November) situated off Pennington Spit.

What are the key points of the approach?

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How to get in?

Hurst Road is situated outside and on the approaches to Keyhaven off the ruins of an old pier set into the beach at the foot of Hurst lighthouse. It is an open roadstead situated immediately inside the entrance to the western Solent.

Use Keyhaven's approach details for local directions and hazzards. The deep waters of the Solent shoal quickly once Hurst High Light is passed abeam.



Anchor according to draft 50 to 100 metres off the beach in sand and gravel with the lighthouse bearing about southwest. Land by tender on the shale beach.

Why visit here?

Hurst Roads is a very useful anchorage that is often overlooked. It is an open roadstead, in which yachts can turn sideways and roll at times, but other than that it is an excellent berth with very good holding.

For larger vessels Hurst Roads provides access to Keyhaven without the complications of the shallow bar, and the burden of securing moorings and their associated fees. Likewise it has the benefit of free access and exit at any stage of the tide. This makes it the ideal location to visit Hurst Castle as covered in the Keyhaven entry.




Hurst Road makes for an ideal lunch stop and many local vessels find it the ideal position to watch races entering or exiting the Solent. It also provides an excellent tide wait location for yachts exiting The Solent via the Needles Channel, or a late berth for those arriving in and planning on addressing their final destinations in daylight.

What facilities are available?

None except for what may be had as described in the Keyhaven entry.

Any security concerns?

Never an issue known to have occurred to a vessel anchored off Keyhaven.

With thanks to:

Alison MacFaden, Roy Plummer and Steve Wood Keyhaven River Wardens. Photography Michael Harpur.