Mercury Yacht Harbour is situated on the south coast of England within the River Hamble that flows into the northeast side of Southampton Water. It is a modern marina centrally situated in the River Hamble, which is a yachting centre of considerable importance.

Located inside the protected waters of Southampton Waters and a mile and a half upriver, the marina offers complete protection. It can be safely accessed night or day, at any state of the tide and in all reasonable conditions.

As visitors are accommodated on the berths of absent resident berth-holders it is advisable to make contact in advance of any intended stay. The marina's pontoons are exposed to very strong tidal currents so a great measure of care is required to deal with the cross currents when passing in between the marina’s pontoon heads. Newcomers are advised to only approach at slack water.

Keyfacts for Mercury Yacht Harbour

Position and approaches

Haven position

50° 52.256' N, 001° 18.556' W

This is situated on the head of the second southern most 'B' pontoon.

What are the key points of the approach?

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How to get in?

Located on the west bank of the river 1½ miles within its entrance Mercury Yacht Harbour is the river’s third marina. The marina is set in a scenic, peaceful and sheltered wooded site where the shallow waters of Badnam Creek join the River Hamble. It has 350 berths and can accommodate yachts of up to 24 metres in length with up to 4.5 metres draught. The River Hamble provides a draft of no less than 2.3 metres chart datum up to Mercury Yacht Harbour.

Mercury Yacht Harbour holds no specific visitor berths and accommodates visiting yachts on the berths of resident holders that are away. It is therefore advisable to make berthing arrangements in advance by contacting the marina on VHF Ch. 80/M call sign [Mercury Yacht Harbour] or P: +44 23 8045 5994.




The Solent and Isle of Wight coastal description provides approach details. Vessels navigating the six-mile length of Southampton Water should keep a listening watch for Southampton VTS, on VHF Ch 12/16, especially around the docks, and give priority to commercial traffic.

Vessels converging on the entrance will find nothing in the way of local hazards by staying in reasonable soundings and following the Solent’s ample marks. The entrance to the River Hamble is made known from a great distance by being almost opposite to Fawley Power Station in Southampton Water. Fawley's 198 metres high chimney makes a conspicuous mark throughout the central Solent and beyond.

The approaches and run up the river as far as the Bursledon Bridge, the effective head of navigation for most sailing craft, are covered in the Deacons Marina and Boatyard entry.




Berth as directed by the marina office. Mercury Yacht Harbour’s pontoons are exposed to very strong tidal currents so a great measure of care is required to deal with the cross currents when passing in between the marina’s pontoon heads. This is especially the case on Springs after its double high’s ‘tidal stand’. When the Spring stand ends the ebb tide whistles out under the pontoons making berthing between pontoon heads challenging to the extreme. During these times it is advisable to enquire if it is possible to temporarily come alongside the outer hammer heads with the intention of taking up an allocated berth when the run abates. It is also advisable for newcomers to plan their arrival for slack water and if in any doubt whatsoever to ask the dock masters, who are available 24 hours a day, for berthing assistance.

Why visit here?

We are currently out and about finding Havens and talking to sailors like you. By popular user request we have posted this marina in advance of our local area research in order to surface its presence, pontoon arrangement and our dynamic weather, charting and tidal data.

We will return presently to complete our full write up. Keep coming back to see our progress.

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 launderette is open 24 hours a day. Gas cylinders are also available from the local chandlery. The marina provides general waste disposal, and full recycling facilities. Arrangements can be made for the disposal of waste oil. Diesel and unleaded petrol are available at the fuel bay located at the head of pontoon ‘B’ of MDL’s Port Hamble Marina ½ a mile down river.

The marina offers extensive shore-side facilities. It has a slipway, a 20 tonne travel lift and a number of companies both on site and locally offering a wide variety of specialist services ranging from sail makers to engineers. Ashore there is a hard standing, including winter storage capability for over 100 boats. Besides this there is a well-stocked chandlery and the marina's fully-licensed bar and bistro has a wonderful balcony that offers striking views over the marina and river. A 20 minute’ walk, with a daylight short cut through parkland, leads to Hamble village, officially Hamble-Le-Rice which features several restaurants and pubs plus a useful Co-op where provisions may be bought.

Access to the marina by road from the M3 is via the M27 Eastbound for Portsmouth. Exit at junction 8 of the M27 for Southampton East/Hamble taking the B3397 to Hamble. The B3397 is the only main access road that serves the Hamble Peninsula. Approximately 3 miles long and running straight through the village it is subject to a high volume of road traffic, with daily traffic congestion and slow moving queues.

The village is served by Hamble railway station, which provides services to both Southampton Central and Portsmouth Harbour. These services run once per hour in each direction. From Hamble rail station a local bus service operates to Hamble village. It is also linked by ferry to Warsash, and has bus services from pre-dawn to late night / early morning to and from Southampton and Eastleigh.

Any security concerns?

The marina has 24-hour manned security, and is monitored 24-hour's a day by CCTV and has secure access control.

With thanks to:

Michael Harpur S/Y Whistler. Photography Michael Harpur.