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What's the story here?

Poole Quay Boat Haven is a contemporary marina located at the eastern end of Poole Quay with views of Brownsea Island. It has around 125 berths, and the operator also manages berths at Town Quay and swinging moorings in the Wych Channel on the northern side of Brownsea Island. It welcomes both visiting boats and long-term berth holders, with about 100 berths available for short-term or visitor use. If the marina reaches capacity, overflow is managed by directing visitors to 'The Town Quay' and 'Port of Poole Marina' across from it.




Poole Quay Boat Haven can host yachts up to 60 metres long with a maximum draught of 3 metres. Approaches via Poole Bay and Poole Harbour offer a minimum draft of 6 metres CD up to the marina, while the entrance has a depth of 3.3 metres.




Due to its central location, berths are very popular, particularly during the summer months. Therefore, make berthing arrangements in advance is highly reccomended: Ch. 80 [Poole Quay Boat Haven], +44 (0)1202 649 488, info@poolequayboathaven.co.uk, Poole Quay Boat Haven Site . The marina also has a contact page .

Visitor Berthing [2026 - 27]
Daily Visitor Rates

• • Pontoon Berth Charges: £5.30 per metre


• • Harbour Dues: £1.07 per metre


• • Total Due: £6.37 per metre

Short Stay Berthing (Up to 4 hours)

• • Up to 4m: £5.00 flat rate


• • 4.1m - 12m: £8.00 flat rate


• • 12.1m - 14m: £14.00 flat rate


• • 14.1m - 20m: £22.50 flat rate

Boats visiting Town Quay are required to pay the Quay Berth Charge and Harbour Dues unless these fees have already been paid; this applies to local boats with annual harbour berths. These rates are approximate for peak season and are valid for vessels up to 20 meters LOA. Vessels measuring 20.1 meters and above are priced on an application basis. Berths are typically available from 12 noon and should be vacated by 12:00 midday. If you need to stay longer, you might be asked to move your vessel closer to the office for a 'short stay' and will be charged based on your vessel's size. Weekly and monthly rates are offered at Poole Quay Boat Haven. The marina welcomes rallies or group events with early bookings, which can benefit from discounted group berthing rates for 10 or more vessels. All prices include VAT.




Swinging moorings for vessels up to 20 m long and 3 m draft are located in the Wych Channel on the northern side of Brownsea Island. The rate starts at £35 per night and includes a free water taxi (availability depends on weather and daylight), plus free parking at Port of Poole Marina.

How to get in?

The approaches to the entrance, with its tidal flow, and the run-up through the harbour to the Little Channel are detailed in Navigating Poole Harbour . The harbour speed limit is 10 knots, reducing to 6 knots in the Little Channel. Before entering the Little Channel, contact [VHF] Ch. 80 [Poole Quay Boat Haven] to be assigned a berth number and to receive their suggestions on the best fender and warp setup. Berths are allocated on the day of arrival, and you should contact the marina about 30 minutes before arrival so staff can provide the allocated berthing location.




Poole Quay Boat Haven is located immediately east of Town Quay and entered off the head of the Little Channel.




It is advisable to pass the entrance to assess the tidal streams and wind conditions before turning and making a final approach into the marina. Stand off the breakwater on the final approach, as it has a sizeable foot.



Berth as directed by the marina office.

Why visit here?

Poole Quay Yacht Haven, founded in 2001, sits on a site with a rich maritime history. The western part of the Quay was reclaimed in the 18th century for shipwrights' yards, highlighting Poole's historic ties to shipbuilding and seafaring.




Archaeological excavations have revealed signs of even earlier maritime activity, including stacks of oak timbers believed to have formed part of a boatyard's timber store dating to around 1500. These findings emphasise the area's long-standing role as a hub for vessel building and repair for more than five centuries.




As Poole evolved into one of England's busiest ports, the waterfront adapted to the changing demands of commerce and industry. Over successive centuries, the area hosted a diverse range of enterprises, including iron and brass foundries, timber and coal yards, a chemical works, and even a synthetic rubber depot, each contributing to the harbour's economic life.

Following the Napoleonic Wars, Poole's economy underwent a significant transition. The town's traditional cod-fishing trade gradually declined, giving way to grain imports, clay exports from Dorset's inland pits, brewing, and other port-related commercial activities. For many years, the waterfront skyline was dominated by Belben's Flour Mill and its substantial grain silo, both enduring landmarks of Poole's industrial age.




Today, Poole Quay Yacht Haven blends modern marina facilities with this remarkable historic town, detailed in the Poole Town Quay entry. It offers visitors the chance to enjoy one of Britain's most historic working harbours, set amid centuries of maritime history and with immediate access to lively cafés, bars and restaurants.





All this, but out of the wash, stepped back from the quay itself and away from the central quay's hurly-burly, it offers a much more restful berth with all facilities. With only a marginal uplift in the Town Quay berthing fees, this has, over recent years, made it the main stopover for visitors wanting to lie alongside in Poole.

What facilities are available?

All pontoons have water and electricity. There is a toilet on the pontoon, with further showers and toilets ashore, across the road. Poole Quay Boat Haven has a token-operated system for a washing machine and tumble dryer, available from staff at reception.

There is a fuel pontoon just below the bridge on the south side of the quay. With Poole Harbour catering to an annual fleet of 5,000 leisure craft and a world-class boat builder adjacent, it can be taken that it offers almost any conceivable marine service or facility a vessel could require.

Poole’s town centre stretches from the water’s edge at Poole Town Quay up to the Dolphin Shopping Centre. Within a few strides, The Quay and Old Town offer a range of small, independent shops, including a well-stocked, capable chandlery, a host of pubs, take-away outlets, a mini-supermarket, and good restaurants. Dorset's largest indoor shopping centre, ‘The Dolphin Shopping Centre’, with 110 stores covering all items, is a 15-minute walk along the high street.

Poole railway station is in the town and is served by London Waterloo to Weymouth express and semi-fast services. From east to west, these services call at Branksome near the border with Bournemouth, Parkstone, Poole railway station in the town centre, and Hamworthy. Most local bus services are operated by ‘More Bus’, which is based at the town's bus station. It operates networks across Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Salisbury, as well as on the Isle of Purbeck and in the New Forest. Poole is also a National Express Coaches hub, with frequent departures to London Victoria Coach Station. Direct services to the Midlands, the North of England, and to Heathrow and Gatwick airports are also available in the town.

Bournemouth International Airport is on the outskirts of Bournemouth, only 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) from Poole Town Quay. Brittany Ferries operates ferry services from Poole Harbour to Cherbourg, with one round trip per day.

Recommended Town Quay Dining Options
The Poole Arms: Historic 17th-century pub specialising in fresh local catches and dressed crab
+44 (0)1202 679712 | info@poolearms.co.uk

Address: 19 The Quay, Poole.

Oriel on the Quay: All-day Mediterranean restaurant with wide harbour and marina views
+44 (0)1202 679833 | orielonthequay@gmail.com

Address: Seaway House, The Quay, Poole.

Da Vinci's: Classic Italian dining housed in a converted historic quay warehouse
+44 (0)1202 667528 | info@da-vincis.co.uk

Address: 7 The Quay, Poole.

St Tropez Lounge: Fine French bistro and seafood restaurant overlooking the quay
+44 (0)1202 670769 | info@st-tropez-lounge.uk

Address: 14 The Quay, Poole.

Rosso's Italiano: Modern Italian with elevated 1st-floor harbour views offering takeaway yacht hampers
+44 (0)1202 026016 | info@rossositaliano.co.uk

Address: 25 Dolphin Quays, Poole.

Deli on the Quay: Takeaway meals and custom hampers delivered directly to the marina access gate
+44 (0)1202 660022 | info@delionthequay.com

Address: The Quay, Poole.

Poole Harbour Useful & Emergency Contacts
Poole Quay Boat Haven & Port of Poole Marina: Primary contact for visitor berths, Town Quay overflow, and swinging moorings.
+44 (0)1202 649 488 | info@poolequayboathaven.co.uk | Poole Quay Boat Haven | [VHF] Ch. 80 [Poole Quay Boat Haven]
Address: Poole Quay Boat Haven, Poole Town Quay, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HJ.


Poole Harbour Commissioners (PHC / Harbour Master): For general harbour inquiries, harbour dues, and Vessel Traffic Services.
+44 (0)1202 440 200 | pooleharbourcommissioners@phc.co.uk | Poole Harbour Commissioners | [VHF] Ch. 14 [Poole Harbour Control / VTS]
Address: 20 New Quay Road, Hamworthy, Poole, Dorset, BH15 4AF.


Harbour Control Officer [VHF]: In case of any emergency within the harbour.
+44 (0)1202 440 230 | harbourcontrol@phc.co.uk | [VHF] Ch. 14 (or 16) [Poole Harbour Control]

Poole Bridge:	+44 (0)1202 674 115	Customs & Excise:	+44 (0)1202 685 157
Police:	+44 (0)1202 552 099 (Ext. 3276)	Doctor:	+44 (0)1202 679 234
Dentist:	+44 (0)1202 672 138	Hospital:	+44 (0)1202 665 511
Chemist:	+44 (0)1202 678 001	Dolphin Taxi:	+44 (0)1202 777 879
Tourist Information:	+44 (0)1202 253 253

Any security concerns?

Access to the marina is via key code secured gates. The marina has 24 ­hour security.

With thanks to:

John Binder CMM Poole Quay Boat Haven & Port of Poole Marina manager and Kirsty Caño, Marina Assistant.