Protected sectors

What's the story here?

Chalkdock Point is located in the northeast part of Chichester Harbour, within the Chichester Channel. It is roughly 2½ miles inside the entrance and a ½ mile west of Itchenor, and is named after the adjacent southern point of the channel. Geographically, Chalkdock Point faces Cobnor Point on the north shore, where the Chichester Channel and Bosham Channel converge just to the east of Cobnor Point.




The Chalkdock Point anchorage is one of the harbour's three recognised anchorages, the others being the lower East Head and the nearby Pilsey Island on the approaches to Chalkdock. Chalkdock is slightly further in but is most convenient to Itchenor. It is well protected from southerly, easterly, and southwesterly winds but fully exposed to the west and northwest over a wide expanse of open water. Strong westerly or northwesterly winds combined with an ebbing tide create a short, uncomfortable chop (wind-over-tide). It lies directly off the Chichester Channel, with depths along the channel edge ranging from 2 to 3 metres at Chart Datum, shoaling as you approach the shore.




Chalkdock Point is the geographic point where the main Chichester Channel divides into Itchenor Reach to the east and Bosham Channel to the north. This division forms a localised slack-water eddy along the southern bank. As the tidal current weakens in this area, fine suspended silts settle out, accumulating into deep mud and silt that provide a stable holding ground, making it a highly dependable seabed for ground tackle.

Standard Chichester Harbour Conservancy dues apply to all vessels operating or anchoring within the harbour limits, except for marina berths, where they have been explicitly included. Contact Itchenor Harbour Office to advise that you intend to anchor +44 (0)1243 512301 | [VHF]: Channel 14 (Call sign [Chichester Harbour Patrol]).

Visitor Berthing Rates [2026] (LOA inc. VAT)

• • Up to 3.00m | 7-Day £16.00 | 48-Hour £8.50 | 24-Hour £7.00


• • 3.01m – 4.00m | 7-Day £16.0 | 48-Hour £8.50 | 24-Hour £7.00


• • 4.01m – 5.00m | 7-Day £16.00 | 48-Hour £8.50 | 24-Hour £7.00


• • 5.01m – 6.00m | 7-Day £19.50 | 48-Hour £9.50 | 24-Hour £8.00


• • 6.01m – 7.00m | 7-Day £19.50 | 48-Hour £9.50 | 24-Hour £8.00


• • 7.01m – 8.00m | 7-Day £19.50 | 48-Hour £9.50 | 24-Hour £8.00


• • 8.01m – 9.00m | 7-Day £23.50 | 48-Hour £10.50 | 24-Hour £9.00


• • 9.01m – 10.00m | 7-Day £23.50 | 48-Hour £10.50 | 24-Hour £9.00


• • 10.01m – 11.00m | 7-Day £32.00 | 48-Hour £13.00 | 24-Hour £10.00


• • 11.01m – 12.00m | 7-Day £32.00 | 48-Hour £13.00 | 24-Hour £10.00


• • 12.01m – 13.00m | 7-Day £40.00 | 48-Hour £15.00 | 24-Hour £11.00


• • 13.01m – 14.00m | 7-Day £40.00 | 48-Hour £15.00 | 24-Hour £11.00


• • 14.01m – 15.00m | 7-Day £52.00 | 48-Hour £19.50 | 24-Hour £12.00


• • 15.01m – 16.00m | 7-Day £52.00 | 48-Hour £19.50 | 24-Hour £12.00


• • 16.01m – 20.00 | 7-Day £60.00 - £67.00 | 48-Hour £23.00 | 24-Hour £15.00


• • Over 20.00m | 7-Day £73.00 | 48-Hour £23.00 | 24-Hour £15.00

Valid harbour dues plaques must be displayed on craft at all times while in harbour waters. Non-display or failure to pay incurs a £100 penalty fee plus a £50 administration charge.

How to get in?

The approaches to the entrance, with its tidal flow, are detailed in Navigating Chichester Harbour . Follow the Chichester Channel guidance until the Chalkdock Light Beacon pile is passed to starboard.




After passing the beacon, the channel turns eastward, passing north of Chalkdock Point, where the line of the blackthorn hedge pulls back by less than a ½ mile to the east. It marks the southern side of the channel, which continues eastward along the south side of the Chichester Channel.




The designated anchoring area lies strictly south of the main fairway line running between the green Chalkdock Light-Beacon (Fl(2)G 10s) and the green conical Fairway Buoy (Fl(3)G 10s) 1200 metres to the east. Anchor about 200 metres out from the shore, anywhere south of a line of these marks.




Direct landing at Chalkdock Point is difficult due to extensive intertidal mudflats exposed at lower states of the tide. Land at the Itchenor Jetty, just over a ½ mile up channel, which is available to tenders at all states of the tide.





It is possible to come alongside the jetty for a short period. The outer face of the jetty has a depth of approximately 2 metres at mean low water springs. Visitors should restrict themselves to the first two lengths of the pontoon only, as the remaining lengths are allocated to permanent berths. However, the pontoon is only a set-down area with a maximum waiting time of 20 minutes. This is due to congestion and the need to maintain access for the emergency services. Penalties can be applied by the harbour master for each hour of overstay.

Why visit here?

Chalkdock's name derives from a historic landing point used to unload barge loads of chalk onto West Itchenor's foreshore.




The area surrounding Itchenor and the Manhood Peninsula predominantly consists of heavy, naturally acidic clay and marsh silts. To make these soils suitable for crops, local farmers used large quantities of chalk to "lime" or marl the fields, which helped neutralise acidity and enhance drainage. This chalk was quarried near the South Downs and transported on shallow-draft coastal barges that navigated the harbour's tidal channels to Chalkdock Point's shallow waters, which connected to the saltings. During high tide, barges floated as far as possible and grounded on the mud at low tide, allowing workers to unload chalk directly into horse-drawn farm carts. The busy unloading area on the marsh was known as Chalk Dock. Over time, the name expanded to Chalkdock Marsh and to the headland Chalkdock Point, the starboard light-beacon, and the anchorage.




The area was also lively during the Second World War. Boatyards upstream at Itchenor were heavily engaged in building and repairing wooden naval craft, including Fairmile motor launches and landing craft used in Operation Overlord (D-Day). Chalkdock Reach served as a dispersed staging anchorage, scattering military vessels along the channel, clear of fixed shipyard infrastructure, to protect them from Luftwaffe bombing raids.

Today, it is a much calmer berth where the channel's traffic can be observed. Ashore and within the point, the small Chalkdock Marsh wetland remains, situated between a coastal footpath and Park Copse. Although the site is modest in size and hosts limited species diversity, it features scattered marsh-mallow, making it a valuable conservation area. It is also a significant habitat for various birds, including Shelduck, Brent Geese, Farlington, Teal, Pintail, and Shoveler. Additionally, it holds the highest densities of Widgeon and Black-tailed Godwit in the harbour.




The best way to explore the area and its surroundings is to arrive via the channel at Itchenor Jetty. From there, the charming ‘Itchenor Circular walk’ guides visitors along a path that circles the western coast of Itchenor, including Chalkdock Point. This typical 2.4- to 4-mile (6 km) loop takes in the lively Itchenor Quay, goes past working boatyards, circles Chalkdock Marsh, and returns through traditional Sussex farmland and thatched village cottages. You can access this walk by taking the pathway on the right near the base of Itchenor Jetty. Cross both boatyards to find the pathway along the south side of the channel. The flat, easy walk covers about 6 km in total. It begins as a shoreline trail and ends in Itchenor via farmland and road. Along the way, you'll enjoy excellent views of the harbour and see some of Itchenor's charming homes, including historic buildings like St. Nicholas' Church, which dates back to 1175.




An extended Itchenor-to-West Wittering Loop exists, where instead of turning inland at Chalkdock Marsh, you proceed west along the coast to East Head and West Wittering. The return follows the inland Salterns Way route, with the total distance varying from approximately 6 to 11 miles depending on the chosen path. This walk links the peaceful marshlands of Itchenor with the striking sand dunes of East Head and the expansive Solent.




From a sailing perspective, Chalkdock Point offers an excellent anchorage near Itchenor. It provides a peaceful alternative to the busier Itchenor Reach swinging moorings, while still being close to visitor amenities such as the dinghy pontoon, fresh water, fuel, and the pub, all reachable by a short dinghy trip upstream. Additionally, since anchoring is not allowed east and north of the Fairway Light-buoy in Itchenor Reach and Bosham Channel, Chalkdock Point serves as a valuable tide-wait spot for vessels moving up the channel.

What facilities are available?

Chalkdock Point has no facilities, but adjacent Itchenor, which is convenient from this anchorage, has two boatyards which can cater for most sailing requirements.

Itchenor Harbour Office: +44 (0)1243 512301
[VHF]: Ch. 14 [Chichester Harbour Patrol]

Harbour Office, The Street, West Itchenor, Chichester, West Sussex, PO20 7AW.
Hayling Rescue (for boats): +44 (0)7748 997105

Sea Start: +44 (0)800 885500

Environment Agency: +44 (0)3708 506506

HM Custom and Excise Portsmouth: +44 (0)23 8079 7000

Chichester Police Station: +44 (0)845 6070 999

Solent Coastguard: +44 (0)23 9255 2100

Hospital Chichester: +44 (0)1243 788 122

Dentist: +44 (0)844 5769 676

Any security concerns?

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

With thanks to:

Phil Walker, Deputy Harbour Master.