What's the story here?

Ocean Village Marina lies at the northernmost point of Southampton Water, ¾ of a mile above the mouth of the River Itchen at Dock Head. The contemporary waterfront marina is managed by Marina Developments Limited (MDL) situated at the heart of a mixed-use waterfront development that includes residential, business and leisure developments featuring restaurants, shops, and cinemas, etc. It was formerly the site of Southampton's first working docks until its 1980s redevelopment.




Ocean Village has 375 berths and can accommodate yachts of up to 80 metres in length and 4 metres draught. Southampton Water provides a maintained depth of not less than 12.6 metres chart datum up to the River Itchen, whereupon 6 metres LAT or more will be found as far as Ocean Village Marina.

Daily Visitor Berthing [2025] (Excluding electricity):

• • Up to 12.5m: £5.35 per metre


• • 12.6m – 18m: £6.75 per metre


• • 18.1m – 24m: £7.50 per metre


• • 20.1m +: Price on Application (POA)

Short Stay Berthing (Up to 4 hours):

• • Up to 12m: £12.60


• • 12.1m - 18m: £18.60


• • 18.1m +: Price on Application (POA)

Visitor berths must typically be vacated by noon on the day of departure. Letting the marina know is good practice if you expect to arrive after 5 p.m..





However, Ocean Village Marina does not have designated visitor berths, and guests are accommodated in vacant berths of resident holders. It is therefore recommended to arrange berthing in advance by contacting the marina on Ch. 80/M [Ocean Village Marina], +44 (0)23 8022 9385, oceanvillage@mdlmarinas.co.uk or via the MDL web form .

How to get in?

Coastal guidance waypoints and pilotage for the run-up to the River Itchen, along with river guidance, are available in the Western Approaches or the Eastern Approaches to the Solent and Southampton.




Vessels converging on Dock Head should encounter no local hazards if following the clear marks of the Solent and Southampton Water, preferably staying close to the inner navigable waters within them and maintaining reasonable soundings to avoid commercial shipping.




Yachts navigating the six-mile stretch of Southampton Water should keep a listening watch for Southampton Vessel Traffic Services (VTS), available via Ch. 12/16 [Southampton VTS], +44 (0)23 8060 8208 (24/7/365). Yield priority to commercial vessels, particularly near the docks. A speed limit of 6 knots is enforced north of a line connecting Hythe Pier and Weston Shelf.




Ocean Village Marina is situated on the west side of the River Itchen, ¾ of a mile above the river mouth and ¼ of a mile below the Itchen Bridge. The marina entrance opens into a sheltered basin off the Itchen, but you should anticipate cross-tides and eddies near the mouth of the Itchen, along with ferry wash reflecting off quay walls as you approach the entrance.




Break off from the above Solent guides and pass Dock Head to port, where the rivers Test and Itchen meet. Continue up the River Itchen and pass the 'Weston Shelf' starboard buoy, Fl 3 G 15s, opposite Hythe Marina and backed by tall apartment flats onshore, on its correct side as there is only 100 metres of deep water inside the buoy.




The River Test is dredged to 9.1 metres beyond the entrance to Empress Dock and at least 3.4 metres LAT beyond that to Ocean Village Marina.



The marina's entrance is easily picked out by the 120-metre opening it forms in the housing on either side. It has a large sign just above the pilings on the north side of the entrance, close to a white traffic signal station. The marina is entered along the north side of the opening, passing close south of the Dock Office on 'A' Pontoon.





The initial fix is positioned outside the entrance. Because it's a deep-water basin with no sill, arrival and departure are workable across the tide. However, stay alert, as on springs, the cross set at the Itchen mouth can be strong, and the right-angle turn into the marina requires some focus. The best local advice is to approach slightly upstream, maintaining your way, and commit to your angle rather than 'feathering' in.




Berth as instructed by the marina office. Berths can be tight, particularly on inner pontoons. Manoeuvring space within the marina basin is adequate but not extensive. Wind may be funnelled or channelled between buildings, resulting in sudden shifts in direction and strength. Be prepared for gusts.




The marina staff are generally helpful. They may assist with lines once you are near your designated berth, particularly if arranged in advance or if needed. Don't hesitate to ask on VHF Ch 80 if you require guidance or assistance.

Why visit here?

Ocean Village Marina is located at the heart of the dock that helped shape Southampton into the modern port and city it is today. It all began here with the 1842 construction of what was then the 16-acre 'Outer Dock'. This was followed in 1851 by the enclosed, non-tidal 'Inner Dock', which was connected to the 'Outer Dock' by locks, as well as the 'Empress Dock' in 1890, the 'Trafalgar Dry Dock' in 1905, and the 'White Star Dock' in 1911, now known as 'Ocean Dock', from which the RMS Titanic set sail a year later.


Although undeniably a fine harbour, Southampton's true success derives from its railway connection to London, established in 1840. The synergy of railway infrastructure and the new dockyards went hand in hand to establish Southampton as 'The Gateway to the Empire.' The rapid and efficient dispatch and disembarkation of troops and equipment led to its official recognition as Britain's No. 1 military port in 1894. At the outbreak of the First World War, it served as Britain's Embarkation Port No. 1, witnessing the departure of the British Expeditionary Force.




The inter-war years saw the filling-in of Western Bay, after which the fortunes of the Old, or eastern, docks ebbed and flowed. 'Outer Dock' revealed its age in the 1960s when Southampton shifted focus to the new 'drive-on, drive-off' continental ferry services. To meet this new demand, the dock was adapted and expanded to accommodate the large cross-Channel ferries and their revised loading patterns. In 1963, the entrance to the 'Outer Dock' was widened, and the 'Inner Dock', the oldest dry dock that was then too small for the latest ships, was filled in to become a car park for the roll-on, roll-off continental ferries.




By 1967, 'Outer Dock' had been considerably enlarged, with nine berths, two new terminals, and a passenger viewing area added. It was renamed Princess Alexandra Dock in honour of Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy, the youngest granddaughter of King George V and Queen Mary, who officially opened it amidst grand celebration in July 1967. The crucial years for Princess Alexandra Dock followed soon after, between 1973 and 1975. During this period, it handled 58 crossings a week to destinations as far away as France, Morocco, Portugal, and Spain.




However, by around 1985, Southampton's ferry services had nearly ceased. Several factors contributed to this rapid change. The rise of air travel, the opening of the Channel Tunnel, the loss of duty-free sales, and the decline in freight were among the primary reasons. By 1984, all ferry services at Princess Alexandra Dock had ended, and the remaining operations shifted to the Western Docks for a brief period. When the Royal Navy's requirements decreased, the docks at Portsmouth—more strategically located—took over Southampton's remaining ferry traffic. Only 'Ocean Dock' continued to be used by Cunard, as it still is today. The then-unused 75 acres of Princess Alexandra Dock was sold by Associated British Ports and transformed into Ocean Village.




Ocean Village was part of a series of refurbishments of run-down dockland areas across Britain's leading ports, reflecting the broader global trend of waterfront revitalisation during that time. The development converted the old dock into shops, offices, residential units, leisure facilities, and a central marina in 1986. On two heavily reinforced structures that could not be easily demolished, the Royal Southampton Yacht Club built their second clubhouse, offering spectacular views overlooking the marina.




After a turbulent period during the late 2000s recession, Ocean Village recovered and now thrives as a lively area attracting ongoing multimillion-pound redevelopment projects. New venues continually open, aiming to establish it as Southampton's premier leisure destination. The hub of Ocean Village's commercial and leisure facilities includes cafes, wine bars, and restaurants within the complex. It also features two cinemas: Harbour Lights, designed to resemble an ocean liner, which screens indie and arthouse films, and the mainstream Cineworld multiplex.




With all this activity, Ocean Village isn't a quiet place. Surrounded by landscaped areas with modern, low-rise office buildings and residential structures between three and five storeys high, many with glazed facades, it may not look immediately inviting. However, pleasant walks around the marina offer views of its calm waters and the variety of boats moored there. Similarly, the historic Southampton city centre, located at Town Quay, is just a short walk away.




Ocean Village Marina is owned and managed by Marina Development Limited (MDL), based in Hamble, Hampshire. The company owns and operates eighteen coastal marinas and boatyards across England, including Hythe Marina Village near Southampton Water, as well as Shamrock Quay and Saxon Wharf marinas further upriver. It also has facilities in France, Italy, and Spain, providing berth holders with the opportunity to explore its extensive offerings when space permits.




From a boating perspective, Ocean Village is a fully sheltered, all-weather location accessible 24 hours a day, situated at the very heart of Southampton. It hosts one of Royal Southampton Yacht Club's two clubhouses, the other located at Gins Farm. While a member's yacht club, it welcomes berth holders and visitors alike in a warm and friendly atmosphere. The deep heritage of the old dock allows the marina to accommodate large yachts and Tall Ships. It is well known for hosting major yacht races; the start of seven and the finish of four Whitbread, now Volvo, round-the-world races took place at Southampton between 1977 and 2001, and the Global Challenge began from the port in 1992, 1996, and 2000 and 2000.

What facilities are available?

All the pontoons supply power and water. Domestic amenities such as showers, toilets, launderette facilities, and WiFi are available throughout the marina. For garbage disposal and waste oil, facilities ashore near the marina office are provided.

The complex offers a selection of bars, cafés, and restaurants right ashore, including Banana Wharf, Maritimo Lounge, Bacaro, Steak of the Art, Pitcher & Piano, and Chiquito Mexican. The Royal Southampton Yacht Club also welcomes members from affiliated clubs and accepts visitors. It has a bar and serves evening meals from Wednesday to Saturday. Provisions can be obtained from a well-sized Tesco Metro Express within the complex. Southampton City, a short bus or taxi ride away, hosts a variety of large supermarkets and shopping centres for more comprehensive provisioning.

Ocean Village does not supply alongside diesel fuel, but it can be obtained at Itchen Marine at American Wharf, about 300 metres upstream from the Itchen Bridge, or within Hythe Marina Village on Southampton Water. It also lacks a major chandlery, with the nearest ones located in Shamrock Quay (up the Itchen) or across town, such as Swanwick. Additionally, it does not have repair facilities; however, its upriver sister marinas, Shamrock Quay and Saxon Wharf—which has a 200-ton hoist—offer all essential repair services with marine engineers, riggers, sailmakers, and electronic and electrical specialists right ashore. They have travel hoists capable of lifting vessels weighing up to 200 tonnes and large hard-standing areas ashore.

Southampton, the major city and commercial port, boasts excellent transport links. Regular car ferries and fast catamarans run to Cowes, Isle of Wight, just a short taxi ride away. Mainline trains run to London Waterloo in 70 minutes, as well as to Poole, Weymouth, Portsmouth, and Brighton. These are complemented by numerous local and regional bus services. Southampton International Airport, offering domestic and international flights, is a 30-minute taxi ride in smooth traffic. The M27 motorway, connecting to the M3 and A3, is about a 20-minute drive.

Any security concerns?

The marina is highly attentive to security. Gates are coded and a 24 hour security system is maintained with CCTV.

With thanks to:

Bertie Marsh Ocean Village Marina.