Cowes Yacht Haven is located off the south coast of England within The Solent and in the centre of the Isle of Wight’s principal port of Cowes. The marina has few permanent berths and chooses to cater to the thousands of visitors that come to the town which is the centre of UK sailing.

The marina now offers complete protection after the installation of a new breakwater that protects the inner harbour from northerly swell. However berths on the outer pontoon are subject to the wash from the constant comings and goings of the busy fairway. Safe access may be had in all reasonable conditions, day or night and at all stages of the tide.

Centrally located and very popular the marina is likely to get overrun during events such as Cowes Week when advance booking is essential.

Keyfacts for Cowes Yacht Haven

Position and approaches

Haven position

50° 45.712' N, 001° 17.687' W

This is the northwest end of the long or outer pontoon at the entrance to the North Basin.

What are the key points of the approach?

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What's the story here?

Cowes Yacht Haven is located in the middle of the Isle of Wight's principal port, Cowes. The town stands on both sides of the entrance to the River Medina, and Cowes is on the west bank, facing the much smaller town of East Cowes on the east bank. Cowes Yacht Haven is the first of two marinas fronting the town and the most central. As the town experiences 30,000 boat visitors a year, a large proportion, 200 of its 235 pontoon berths, are made available to visitors.




The marina is divided into North and South Basins, with the North basin being the deepest of the two. The North Basin supports drafts of 2.5 and 3.5 metres by comparison to the South Basin's 2.0 and 2.5 metres. Depths within both basins drop to 2 metres alongside the inshore pontoons. The marina can accommodate yachts of up to 30.4 metres LOA.




The Short-Stay Rate is £1.68 per metre, and the overnight rate is £3.10 per metre of yacht per day [2025], but visitors should anticipate that prices will rise during events. Most notably, significant island sailing events such as Cowes Week and the Round Island Race, during which the marina is often occupied by corporate clients who pay premium prices. At these times, it is more costly to stay here, and it is vital to book well in advance to secure a berth.




The marina also hosts events of all sizes in its Haven Events Centre, ranging from international sailing regattas to local business conferences and corporate functions, weddings, and more, which can be quite modest or accommodate up to two thousand guests.




At busy times, vessels should expect to raft up. This is especially the case on the river-facing side of the outer or long Eastern Breakwater. Unfortunately, this berth is the least desirable of the marina, as it is subject to the wash from the very busy Inner Fairway.




Being such a hive of activities, it is advisable to contact the marina in advance and make arrangements for an intended stay. The marina is contactable 24 hours a day: +44 1983 299975, [VHF] Ch. 80, [Cowes Yacht Haven] or berthing 69 [Cowes Harbour Berthing Master], info@cowesyachthaven.com.

How to get in?

The guide for Cowes and the River Medina offers a tide timer and sailing directions for the approach and journey up the river to Newtown.

Those approaching Cowes and the River Medina from the west will find that the guide Western Approaches to The Solent and the run-up to Southampton details the methods for entry via The Needles, the Western Solent, including its eastern shorelines to the north and south, and onward to connect with this guide from the west.

Similarly, Eastern Approaches to The Solent and the run-up to Southampton Water describes approaches to the Eastern Solent, the eastern side of the Isle of Wight, and the northeastern coastline, covering the east Solent waters and their shorelines to the north and south, and onward to connect with this guide from the east.




Cowes Yacht Haven presents itself on the starboard side, within the inner fairway close south of the Red Jet Hi-Speed Catamaran's Jubilee Pontoon and less than ½ a mile within the No. 1 and No. 2 buoys. At night, the marina exhibits lights on columns, both 2 F.G (vert), at the head of its North Breakwater and at the southern end of the marina's outer or long pontoon.




Berth as directed by the Cowes Yacht Haven marina office.

Why visit here?

The town of Cowes is fully introduced in the Cowes Harbour entry. Cowes Yacht Haven and Shepards Wharf are two marinas in the heart of the sailing location that receive 30,000 boat visitors a year and are amongst the most visited berths in the UK.



Cowes Yacht Haven is the first, largest, and most centrally located of the two marinas, offering immediate access to the town centre and its delightful walkway. The marina typically hosts entertainment for events such as Cowes Week, the Round the Island Race, and various other regattas. This is especially true during Cowes Week, when live entertainment can be enjoyed on Cowes Parade, within Cowes Yacht Haven, as well as at the neighbouring Shepards Wharf Marina. These venues are open to the general public, visiting boaters, and the racing community. So you can expect it to be lively.




From a sailing perspective, Cowes Yacht Haven and Shepards Wharf provide walk-ashore access to the centre of Cowes and are ideal gateways to the island. They also offer very convenient 'drop-in' locations should a problem emerge on a vessel that needs to be quickly attended to or for excellent provisioning.

What facilities are available?

All pontoons are fully serviced with water and power. The marina has a shower, toilet, laundry facilities, and free wireless broadband internet access.

Immediately ashore, the marina offers an array of on-site services. There are on-site engineers, electricians and boat repairers that can cater to most of the requirements, and the yard provides lift and launch services via their 30-ton hoist & 15-ton mobile crane. Almost all boat repairs are catered for, and the yard offers on-site storage.

Petrol and diesel are available from Lallow's Boatyard, between Cowes Yacht Haven and Shepards Wharf, or more conveniently at Cowes Harbour Fuels, +44 1983 200716, south of the chain ferry. The Town Quay has scrubbing berths next to the Harbour Office. Cowes offers almost any conceivable marine service or facility a vessel could require. With a population of over 10,000, it is also an excellent location for provisioning.

In transport terms, Cowes is a gateway town for the Isle of Wight, providing berths to two ferry services. Southern Vectis Route 1 is the leading bus service in Cowes. Single-decker buses branded Red 1 serve the Red Jet terminal, whilst route one double-decker serve the M&S Foodhall at Carvel Lane, where the old Cowes railway station was situated. Both run to Newport to take travellers on to other island destinations. The Cowes Chain Ferry, locally known as the Floating Bridge, connects the two towns of Cowes and East Cowes throughout the day. The old and discontinued rail link to and from the island's capital of Newport is now maintained as a cycle path.

Any security concerns?

Never an issue known to have occurred to a vessel moored at Cowes Yacht Haven.

With thanks to:

Katy Ednay, Senior Dockmaster Cowes Yacht Haven.