Protected sectors

What's the story here?

Poole Yacht Club is located on the Hamworthy shoreline at the northwestern edge of Poole Harbour, just west of the Port of Poole ferry terminal. The club has a fully enclosed, artificial harbour protected by substantial stone breakwaters. It is situated outside, south and west of both the Poole Bridge and Twin Sails Bridge, allowing access from open water.




Poole Yacht Club has more than 350 berths and can accommodate yachts of up to 12 metres LOA and 2 metres draught MLWS when vacant berths are available. Approaches through Poole Bay and Harbour provide drafts of at least 6 metres CD to the Port of Poole, and the final run into the marina has at least 2.5 metres.




Poole Yacht Club does not maintain dedicated visitor berths. It accommodates visiting yachtsmen from recognised yacht or sailing clubs by allocating the vacant berths of absent members or directing craft to the waiting pontoon. Craft entering the haven must hold valid third-party liability insurance of at least £2,000,000. Where suitable arrangements can be made, berths are allocated on a first-come basis and must be secured in advance of any approach by contacting the club +44 (0)1202 672687 or by Ch. 37(M) or 80 [Pike].

How to get in?

The approaches to the entrance, with its tidal flow, are detailed in Navigating Poole Harbour . Continue past the Port of Pool Ferry Terminals, where you will see the Poole Yacht Club Marina entrance enclosed by its substantial breakwater. Keep watch for vessel movement and be prepared to clear the Turning Basin on the final approach. Commercial vessels are restricted by depth and channel width and have very limited ability to deviate from their manoeuvre. A useful rule of thumb is: if a ferry is approaching, departing, or preparing to turn, stay clear of the Turning Basin entirely and wait until the manoeuvre is complete.


The haven entrance faces southeast into the approach channel. Lights are exhibited on both sides of the entrance, Fl. G. 5s starboard side and an East Cardinal Beacon will be seen at the head of the western breakwater, Fl(3) 10s. About 150 metres northwest of the beacon, the club Race Hut will be seen on the breakwater.



Berth as directed by the club office. Proceeding into the marina, the heads of the four main pontoons 'A' to 'D' will be seen, 'A' being the easternmost and 'D' the westernmost. Even-numbered berths are on the west side of the pontoons; odd-numbered berths are on the east. Pontoons 'G' (outer) and 'E' lie behind the western breakwater, numbered descending inwards. A Waiting Pontoon is also located beside the slipway at the root of pontoon 'E'.




Once berthed as directed, report immediately to the Haven Office or Main Office inside the clubhouse entrance. All visitors using the bar and catering facilities must sign the visitors' logbook on the ground floor.

Why visit here?

Founded in 1852, Poole Yacht Club is one of the oldest sailing clubs on England’s south coast. With over 170 years of history, it is significantly older than almost all other leisure sailing facilities around Poole Harbour today.

However, the club did not always occupy its current waterfront site. Members originally met in local hotels before establishing dedicated premises on Poole High Street in 1900. Over time, this gathering of local enthusiasts evolved into a major centre for harbour boating - surviving relocations, mergers with neighbouring clubs, and the port's changing fortunes - before formally establishing its modern identity as Poole Yacht Club in 1935.




After incorporating Hamworthy Sailing Club and Bournemouth Sailing Club, the club relocated to Hamworthy in 1949 and eventually moved to its present purpose-built site in 1984. Its current home reflects both the club's rich maritime heritage and Poole's enduring connection with the sea.
Today, Poole Yacht Club is renowned for its welcoming atmosphere, active social calendar, and vibrant racing programme. On Tuesday evenings, keelboat races regularly draw a fleet of over 90 vessels, while Monday, Thursday, and Saturday afternoon dinghy races attract up to 60 craft. Beyond competitive sailing, it operates a comprehensive marina hub featuring 378 pontoon berths, 20 swinging moorings, space for over 250 dinghies, and dedicated visitor berths.




For visiting mariners, the club is a peaceful haven tucked into the quieter western end of the Port of Poole. Though technically attached to the commercial port, it feels worlds apart. Panoramic views stretch across the water to the Arne Peninsula nature reserve to the southwest, Long and Round Islands to the south, and historic Brownsea Island to the southeast, offering an unspoiled, natural outlook.




You can reach all of this by serviceable dinghy and outboard, either by taking Wills Cut to Brownsea or by cutting across Balls Lake to Shipstal Point . Though more of a day outing, the historic Saxon town of Wareham , five miles west of Poole Harbour, is also easily reached by taking a dinghy up the Wareham Channel and the River Frome.




That's not to say the area around the modern marina lacks history. As described in the Lake Yard Marina entry, the Hamworthy shoreline is among the harbour's oldest inhabited areas. The historic Town of Poole, featured in the Poole Town Quay entry, is also just a fifteen-minute walk from the port, over Poole Bridge, with its lively cafés, bars and restaurants.

Combined with the club's excellent welcome and facilities, this restful, secluded place is a wonderful spot for members of recognised sailing clubs to explore Poole Harbour, relax, and enjoy a good night’s sleep.

What facilities are available?

All pontoons have power and water, and the club has excellent toilet and shower facilities. Built in 1984 and extended in 2010, the clubhouse also has excellent facilities, including a bar and restaurant that seats more than 180. The restaurant is always open for hot and cold lunches.

With Poole Harbour catering to an annual fleet of 5,000 leisure craft and home to a world-class boat builder, the area can cater for almost any conceivable marine service or facility a vessel could require.

Poole’s town, stretching from the water’s edge at Poole Town Quay up to the Dolphin Shopping Centre, is about a 20-minute walk. A water taxi to the Boat Haven on the east end of the pier is operated by marina staff. Within a few strides, The Quay and Old Town provide a range of small, independent shops, including a well-stocked and 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 located in the town and is served by London Waterloo to Weymouth express and semi-fast services. From east to west, these call at Branksome near the border with Bournemouth, Parkstone, Poole railway station in the town centre and Hamworthy. Most local bus services are run by ‘More Bus’, who are based at the town's bus station. It operates networks across Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Salisbury, in addition to operations on the Isle of Purbeck and the New Forest. Poole is also a calling point for National Express Coaches, which have frequent departures to London Victoria Coach Station. Direct services to the Midlands, the North of England and to Heathrow and Gatwick airports can also be found in the town.

Bournemouth International Airport is on the periphery of Bournemouth, only 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) from Poole Town Quay. Ferry services from Poole Harbour to Cherbourg are provided by Brittany Ferries, who operate one round trip per day.

Dining Options Near Poole Yacht Club
Poole Yacht Club Restaurant & Bar: On-site clubhouse restaurant offering harbour views, seasonal dishes, and daily specials for members and visiting yachtsmen
+44 (0)1202 672687 | info@pooleyc.org.uk
Address: The Yacht Haven, New Harbour Road West, Hamworthy, Poole, Dorset, BH15 4AQ.

The Yachtsman: Traditional Hall & Woodhouse pub within walking distance in Hamworthy, offering classic pub fare, Sunday roasts, and a beer garden
+44 (0)1202 674568 | yachtsman.poole@hall-woodhouse.co.uk.
Address: Lake Road, Hamworthy, Poole, Dorset, BH15 4LW.

Cobbs Bar & Kitchen: Family-friendly waterside eatery and bar located nearby at Cobbs Quay Marina, serving breakfasts, lunches, and evening meals
+44 (0)1202 673690 | info@cobbsbar.co.uk
Address: Cobbs Quay Marina, Woodlands Avenue, Hamworthy, Poole, Dorset, BH15 4EL.

The Poole Arms: Historic green-tiled pub located across Poole Bridge on Poole Quay, specialising in fresh local seafood and cask ales
+44 (0)1202 673450
Address: 19 The Quay, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HJ.

Oriel on the Quay: Mediterranean-inspired restaurant overlooking the harbour on Poole Quay, serving seafood, steaks, pizzas, and breakfasts
+44 (0)1202 679833
Address: Seaway House, The Quay, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HJ.

Poole Harbour Useful & Emergency Contacts
Poole Yacht Club:
+44 (0)1202 672687 | info@pooleyc.org.uk | Poole Yacht Club | : Channel 80 or M [Pike]
Address: The Yacht Haven, New Harbour Road West, Hamworthy, Poole, Dorset, BH15 4AQ.

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 | Ch. 14 [Poole Harbour Control / VTS]
Address: 20 New Quay Road, Hamworthy, Poole, Dorset, BH15 4AF.


Harbour Control Officer: For any emergency within the harbour.
+44 (0)1202 440 230 | harbourcontrol@phc.co.uk | 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 area as a whole is secured by a formidable steel perimeter fence and gates. Only club members can opened the gates.

With thanks to:

eOceanic Research