Protected sectors

What's the story here?

Chalkdock Point lies in the northeast section of Chichester Harbour. It is part of the Chichester Channel, about 2½ miles inside the entrance and ½ mile west of Itchenor, which takes its name from the point south of the channel. In terms of location, Chalkdock Point stands opposite Cobnor Point on the north shore, with the Chichester Channel and the Bosham Channel meeting just east of the latter.

The Chalkdock Point anchorage is one of the harbour's three recognised anchorages, furthest in but most convenient to Itchenor. The anchorage area lies along the southern edge of the fairway, positioned between the Chalkdock Light Beacon and the Fairway Light Buoy. Depths along the channel edge range from 2 to 3 meters at Chart Datum, shoaling as you approach the shore. The seabed consists of mud and silt, offering reliable holding for ground tackle.

Standard Chichester Harbour Conservancy dues apply to all vessels operating or anchoring within harbour limits. Contact Itchenor Harbour Office to make them aware you are intending to anchor +44 (0)1243 512301 | [VHF]: Channel 14 (Call sign [Chichester Harbour Patrol])
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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 half a mile to the east. It marks the southern side of the channel, which continues eastward along the south side of the channel.




Anchor about 200 metres out from the shore, anywhere south of a line from the Chalkdock Light beacon to the Fairway Light-buoy situated 1200 metres to the east.


Land at the Itchenor Jetty, just over half a 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 pontoon is allocated as 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 Point’s immediate shoreline is made up of saltings dissected by shallow channels. This makes it suitable only for its wealth of birdlife to explore, and impractical for a tender.


Within the Point there is the small Chalkdock Marsh area of wetland that lies between a coastal footpath and Park Copse. Although the site is relatively small and lacks a variety of species, it has marsh-mallow scattered throughout that makes it an important conservancy site. It is also an important wildlife area that is home to a wide variety of birds. These include the Shelduck, Brent Geese, Farlington, Teal, Pintail and Shoveler and it also contains the harbour’s highest densities of Widgeon and Black-tailed Godwit.


The best way to explore the point and its surrounds is to land up channel at the Itchenor jetty. From there the wonderful ‘Itchenor Circular walk’ takes a visitor along a pathway that encircles western Itchenor’s coastline including Chalkdock Point. This walk may be picked up by taking the pathway, on the right, close to the foot of the Itchenor jetty. Pass across the face of both boatyards to pick up the pathway along the south side of the channel.


The very easy flat walk is 6km in total. It sets out as a shoreline path and returns to Itchenor through farmland and then the road. During its course it provides splendid views of the harbour and passes some of Itchenor’s very attractive housing including historic buildings such as Itchenor’s St. Nicholas' Church that dates back to 1175.


From a purely sailing point of view Chalkdock Point provides an excellent anchorage close to Itchenor. Likewise, as anchoring is prohibited east and north of Fairway Light-buoy, in Itchenor Reach and Bosham Channel, Chalkdock Point provides a useful tide wait location for vessels proceeding up 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.

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. Photography by Michael Harpur.