Set within the furthest recesses of the estuaries’ channels and within a lock, it is completely protected from all conditions. Chichester Harbour's channels are well marked making access straightforward night or day in most conditions but the final approaches to the marina can only be made on a sufficient rise of the tide.
Keyfacts for Chichester Marina
Facilities
Nature
Considerations
Protected sectors
Approaches
Shelter
Last modified
July 17th 2018 Summary* Restrictions apply
A completely protected location with safe access.Facilities
Nature
Considerations
+44 1243 512 731
Chichester@premiermarinas.com
Ch.80 [Chichester Marina & Lock Control]Position and approaches
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Haven position
50° 48.315' N, 000° 49.580' WThis is the outer end of the waiting pontoon situated in the approach channel immediately outside the marina's lock.
What are the key points of the approach?
Offshore details are available in the westbound 
or eastbound sequenced 'Selsey Bill to Start Point' coastal description. Use the Itchenor 
entry for the approaches to Chichester Harbour, directions for Chichester Channel and Dell Quay for the run up beyond Itchenor.
or eastbound sequenced 'Selsey Bill to Start Point' coastal description. Use the Itchenor entry for the approaches to Chichester Harbour, directions for Chichester Channel and Dell Quay for the run up beyond Itchenor.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 Chichester Marina for your convenience.
Ten nearest havens by straight line charted distance and bearing:
- Birdham Pool Marina - 0.2 nautical miles WSW
- Dell Quay - 0.9 nautical miles NNE
- Itchenor - 1.5 nautical miles W
- Bosham - 1.9 nautical miles NW
- Chalkdock Point - 1.9 nautical miles W
- Pilsey Island - 3 nautical miles W
- East Head - 3.4 nautical miles WSW
- Thornham Marina - 3.9 nautical miles WNW
- Sparkes Marina - 4.6 nautical miles WSW
- Emsworth Yacht Harbour - 4.6 nautical miles WNW
These havens are ordered by straight line charted distance and bearing, and can be reordered by compass direction or coastal sequence:
- Birdham Pool Marina - 0.2 miles WSW
- Dell Quay - 0.9 miles NNE
- Itchenor - 1.5 miles W
- Bosham - 1.9 miles NW
- Chalkdock Point - 1.9 miles W
- Pilsey Island - 3 miles W
- East Head - 3.4 miles WSW
- Thornham Marina - 3.9 miles WNW
- Sparkes Marina - 4.6 miles WSW
- Emsworth Yacht Harbour - 4.6 miles WNW
Chart
How to get in?
Chichester Marina is a large modern 1071 berth rural marina located about 4½ miles within the entrance to Chichester Harbour. Situated on the east side of the shallow Chichester Lake, it lies behind a lock gate and final approaches will most likely require a rise to provide adequate draft for access. The marina is located within 3 miles of the cathedral city of Chichester.
The
entry provides approach details to Chichester Harbour and directions for the Chichester Channel to Itchenor. The direction for provide the details for the run up from Itchenor to the Chichester Marina starboard pile. 
The channel to Chichester Marina commences at the Chichester Marina Starboard light-beacon, Fl G 5s. From there five substantial starboard marker piles flank the south side of the approach channel. This leads into a waiting pontoon located outside the marina’s lock gate. 
The waiting pontoon is situated immediately outside the lock. It has minimum depths of from 1.2 metres Mean Low Water Springs (MLWS) to 2.8 metres Mean Low Water Neaps (MLWN). However it is subject to silting and depths may vary.
Visitors should moor on the outer waiting pontoon and approach the Marina Reception for locking and berthing instructions.
Berth as directed by the lock master.
Why visit here?
Chichester Marina is owned and operated by Premier Marinas Limited based in Hampshire. The company owns and manages eight coastal marinas and boatyards in England offering berth holders freedom to roam between their facilities if space is available.
By any measure Chichester Marina has it all, with a wonderful mix of city, coast and countryside immediately to hand. From a sailing perspective it has Chichester Harbour’s seventeen miles of channels with many varied locations which we cover to explore. On foot immediately around the marina are wonderful walks offering views of the harbour, Cathedral and South Downs that present the Sussex countryside at its very best.
The marina itself has an interesting sealed circular walk that provides access to a wonderful northern circular walk to the tiny village of Dell Quay. This walk passes the site of the original medieval village of Apuldram of which all that remains today are its church, the Manor and the grade 1 listed Rymans building. It also passes Saltern’s Copse adjacent to the shoreline near the marina. The copse is the largest remaining ancient woodland on the Manhood Peninsula and is of great ecological interest. The path utilises a small part of the 18km cycle route ‘Salterns Way’ that connects the centre of Chichester to the East Head. Walkers may continue along the ‘Salterns Way’, or follow the canal path to the south of the marina, to the historic cathedral city of Chichester.
From a sailing perspective Chichester Marina is an ideal place to explore the beautiful natural harbour, its picturesque countryside and the wonderful city of Chichester. Likewise it is an excellent location to come in from the harbour to attend to some repairs, or simply to allow a vessel and its owner to enjoy the full five star experience.
What facilities are available?
The pontoons provide power and water. All domestic requirements up to and including WiFi can be found within the marina area. A coin operated launderette is situated behind ‘H’ block ablutions and is open 24 hours a day. Diesel and unleaded petrol are available at the fuel bay, located immediately within the entrance. The fuel dock is open 0800-2000 in the summer and 0800–1800 in the winter and vessels should contact the marina in advance of coming into the fuel bay. Gas cylinders are also available at the Marina Reception. A post box will be found close to ‘H’ block ablutions. The marina provides general waste disposal, and full recycling facilities. Arrangements can be made for the disposal of waste oil.The marina has a fully serviced boatyard that includes two hoists – a 65 tonne hoist located on the south side of the marina and a 35 tonne hoist on the north side. There is a chandler onsite and a wide range of specialist services from rigging services to marine electronics, GRP repairs and cosmetic work and engineering. There are two restaurants, including bars and cafes overlooking the marina.
Buses operate every twenty minutes between Chichester Bus Station (South Street) located about 3 ½ miles from the marina. Chichester city provides fast trains to London Victoria station. Private aircraft may land at Goodwood Aerodrome five miles away from the marina.
Any security concerns?
The Marina is manned 24 Hours. Access to the marina and its facilities are controlled by key fob. CCTV cameras are located throughout the marina, including car parks and shoreside.With thanks to:
Becky Watts of Chichester Marina, Phil Walker Deputy Harbour Master Chichester Harbour. Photography by Michael Harpur, Leimenide and Evgeniy Podkopaev.
An excellent Chichester Harbour approach and lock transit overview
A marina overview by its manager Graham Bristowe
A Premier promotional overview that includes aerial views of the marina
A photograph is worth a thousand words. We are always looking for bright sunny photographs that show this haven and its identifiable features at its best. If you have some images that we could use please upload them here. All we need to know is how you would like to be credited for your work and a brief description of the image if it is not readily apparent. If you would like us to add a hyperlink from the image that goes back to your site please include the desired link and we will be delighted to that for you.
Add your review or comment:
Stefan Bartkowiak wrote this review on Jul 12th 2021:
This is a large marina served by a relatively small single lock. The lock can accommodate up to 6 small vessels or one large vessel. At peak times, (summer weekends, bank holidays and school summer holidays) especially on fine weather days, there can be a wait of up to 1.5 hours to lock in or lock out. Departing under these conditions can be tedious, but arriving has more significant issues. The channel between the Birdham and Chichester marks is as shallow in places as the Chichester marina approach channel. If you work on soundings of 0.0m CD you won't be far off. This means that it is possible to ground on a falling tide whilst waiting, and a return to the visitors' pontoons in the Itchenor reach is advisable to wait for the tide to turn to the flood. It is advisable to stay between 1 & 2 boat widths out from the lines joining the Birdham and Chichester SHM marks and the SHM piles in the approach channel to get the best depths. Although there are PHM withies NW of this area, do not approach them as they are in shallows. Another anomaly is the tidal curve for Chichester. There is a stand of up to 45mins whilst the Winner at the entrance covers and uncovers. These stands are followed by a short period of an accelerated rate of rise and fall.
Average Rating: UnratedStefan Bartkowiak wrote this review on Jul 12th 2021:
Currently there is only one public cafe/bar at the marina (The Boathouse,) However Chichester yacht club has a much larger capacity restaurant and bar which welcomes visiting crews. It is advisable to phone ahead 01243 512918 as it can get very busy.
Average Rating: UnratedPlease log in to leave a review of this haven.
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