OVERVIEW
The large island of the Isle of Wight has a diamond shape and an area of 150 sq mi (380 km²). It is situated off the ports of Southampton and Portsmouth on the south coast of England. The island extends eastward from a group of rocks known as The Needles for twenty miles and measures twelve miles from north to south.



It is the largest and second-most populous island in England. The island has been a holiday destination since Victorian times and is known for its mild climate, coastal scenery, and lush landscape of fields, downland, and chines.



More than half of the island, primarily in the west, is recognised as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. In 2019, the island was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, acknowledging the sustainable relationship between its residents and the environment. The island boasts 57 miles (92 km) of coastline, with its highest point being St. Boniface Down, which stands at 241 m (791 ft).




It has three main rivers: the River Medina, the Eastern Yar, and the Western. The island is separated from the mainland by the sheltered waters of the Solent, which serves as the principal sailing destination.




The best chart for this passage south around the Isle Of Wight is Admiralty Chart 2045, 'Outer Approaches to The Solent.' The provided waypoints are sequenced from west to east but work both ways. The route stands well offshore and is clear of all dangers; however, it need not be tightly adhered to. From the Needles to Freshwater Bay, the cliffs can be approached to an offing of about 200 meters, but thereafter standing a ½ mile out or more is advisable.




Going inshore can cut some distance in places or make for more interesting cruising. Those doing so should familiarize themselves with the guidance provided for the various ledges and be particularly careful during the east-going stream, which sets towards the shoreline dangers. The tide timer is set on the tidal turn point south of St. Catherine's Point.



The SOUTHERN SIDE of the ISLE of WIGHT


Saint Catherine's lighthouse is 12 miles southeast of the Needles lighthouse. The land gradually ascends to the point and beyond it as far as Dunnose. Dunnose is the southeastmost point of the island, above which Saint Boniface Down rises 234 metres. It then declines towards Culver Cliff, the eastern end of which is a striking chalk cliff.




The range of high, steep chalk cliffs extends from The Needles to the centre of Freshwater Bay, where they gradually lower. They blend into a shore of clay and sand about a mile beyond.




Freshwater Bay lies between the Needles and Hanover Point, about 3 miles east of Needles Point. On its shore, at the head of a small cove, is a noticeable hotel; Tennyson's Cross, a prominent monument, stands near the top of the cliffs, 1.2 miles west of Freshwater Bay.




Continuing southeast, Hanover Point is 4.7 miles east by southeast of Needles Point. Precipitous white chalk cliffs extend east from Needles Point to within a mile of Hanover Point, where they merge into a shore of clay and sand.




These cliffs, up to about 120 metres high, are conspicuous in contrast to the dark ground behind them. Steep clay cliffs of moderate and nearly equal height extend from Brook to beyond Atherfield Point, and there are several beautiful chines and villages, at the back of which are high and extensive downs.




About a mile from Saint Catherine's Point, the land begins to rise, and 1 mile west of the point is Blackgang Chine, between which and Atherfield Point is Chale Bay.




The dangerous Brook and Atherfield Ledges dominate the coastal area between Hanover and Atherfield points. These reefs should be avoided, especially in thick weather during the flood, when the current flows directly towards them. Leisure craft ought to maintain a distance of at least a ½ mile from this part of the island. A safe reference point for small vessels navigating inshore is to keep the Priory Church in Christchurch in line with the Needles lighthouse.




Saint Catherine's Point, the southern extremity of the Isle of Wight, is a low-rounded point at the foot of Saint Catherine's Hill. Saint Catherine's Point Light is a prominent castellated tower and dwelling 26 metres high and standing on the point.




St. Catherine's Point - Lighthouse Fl.5s41m25M & F.R.35m13M position: 50° 34'.539 N 001° 17'.873 W

This light structure stands out boldly when viewed from the east or west. The hill, being the highest point on the island, rises to an elevation of 236 metres, approximately a mile north of the point. The remains of the medieval Pepperpot, completed in 1328 and also known as St. Catherine's Oratory, are located on St. Catherine's Down, the highest point on the island.




Near the 35-foot octagonal tower, and standing on the summit, lies the remains of another disused lighthouse. Initiated in 1785, it was never completed. Hoy's Monument, also prominent from seaward, is situated a mile north of the hill. Striking television towers stand on the heights at Chillerton Downs, about 4.8 miles to the north, and at Rowridge, roughly 6.8 miles north by northwest of the point.




It is safe to pass 400 metres off St Catherine's Point, but a race occurs off the point and can be very dangerous at or near Springs in wind-over-tide conditions. A covered ledge extends about 3 miles southwest of this point. While shallow water does not present a depth issue for yachts, it can create significantly disturbed waters during strong tidal streams. The tidal stream here can reach 2.5 knots off the point and a race can occur that varies depending on whether the wind is with or against the tide. In strong westerly gales and during spring tides, the sea breaks violently to the southeast of the point, similar to the race at Portland. If conditions look rough, consider heading 2-3 miles south of the point to avoid the race.




A low cliff extends along the shore between Saint Catherine's Point and Dunnose, about 5 miles east by northeast. At its back are large masses of rock named The Undercliff. The Undercliff is backed by a wall of precipitous rock nearly 152 metres above the sea, with downs rising still higher behind. The resort town of Ventnor , with a small boat harbour, stands three and a half miles northeast of Dunnose. Its lights are conspicuous at night. Several conspicuous radio masts and radar scanners are situated near the town's downs and are noticeable objects when sailing along this coast.




It is safe to come within a ½ mile of the shore on this stretch of coast as the rocks bordering it do not extend above half that distance. The overfalls off Saint Catherine's Point can continue to Dunnose and are partly caused by the various sudden transitions from deep to shoal water in that area. They are not dangerous except in bad weather, when no open boats should attempt to pass through either.




Culver Cliff is conspicuous, about 10 miles northeast of Saint Catherine's Point. It is identifiable by the marked contrast between the white chalk bluff and the land in the vicinity. From the pitch of Culver Cliff, the land gradually rises to the crest of Bembridge Down, where an old derelict fort exists.




Between Dunnose and Culver Cliff, 5 miles to the northeast, is Sandown Bay in which are the villages of Shanklin and Sandown. The steep cliffs continue from Dunnose towards Sandown, where they decrease in height, and the shore is low and sandy. They then gradually rise to Culver Cliff, close to the west of which is a cliff of red clay, which contrasts strongly with the chalk of Culver Cliff. The Culver Down Monument or Yarborough Monument, a conspicuous object from seaward, stands on Culver Down at an elevation of 100 metres.




Culver Spit, carrying 7.5 metres of water over a rocky bottom, extends nearly a mile southeast from Culver Cliff, and within it, close to the east of the cliff, is Whitecliff Bay . The bay almost entirely dries and has a limited amount of clear ground. However, it can afford what is best described as tolerable shelter that is out of the tidal stream with offshore winds.




Stay well away from the Culver Cliff end as a small Whitecliff Ledge reef, the outer part of which dries at low tide, extends nearly 250 metres from the base of Culver Cliff.




A large rock, named Shag Rock, which covers only at high water springs, lies at the point of the cliff. White Cliff Bay terminates on its northern side at Black Rock Ledge. From Culver Cliff, 65 metres high, the land gradually decreases in height until it terminates at the low Foreland.




Foreland, the low eastern extremity of the Isle of Wight, has numerous prominent buildings standing at the point. The coast is fringed by one unbroken rocky shelf extending from the Black Rock Ledge into the Long Ledge, which then continues to Sharpus Rock.




It uncovers at low water to extend out nearly a ⅓ of a mile from the shore. These rocks are high and steep-to at their outer edge, and over many parts, there are not more than 1 to 1.5 metres at high-water springs. Outside their edge, the depth increases to 3.5 metres very quickly.




Be vigilant for ferries and cargo ships. You'll likely see ships anchored, waiting for tide changes or port entry slots.


LISTED WAYPOINTS
The complete course is 25.34 miles from the waypoint 'Whis Fairway Marker Buoy' to 'W Princessa' tending in a easterly direction (reciprocal westerly).

What is the best sailing time?

May to September is the traditional UK Sailing season, with June to July offering the best weather. The amount of bad weather varies quite widely from year to year. The British Isles' weather is highly variable because they are islands between the Atlantic Ocean and an extensive continental European land mass. As a result, the entire area lays under an area where five main air masses meet and alternate:

• • Tropical Maritime Air Mass - from the Atlantic


• • Polar Maritime Air Mass - from Greenland


• • Arctic Maritime Air Mass


• • Polar Continental Air Mass - from central Europe


• • Tropical Continental Air Mass - from North Africa

The air masses can come in from any direction, bringing with them all types of weather and creating weather fronts where they meet. Fine summer weather is typically punctuated by the passage of Atlantic depressions, bringing periods of strong wind and rain and sometimes poor visibility.

Gales, however, rarely cause surprises as they are usually forecasted well in advance. Good weather windows of 48 hours are easy to predict, but any longer than that, there's an increasing chance of change. Winters see a predominance of wind and rain. Still, the protected waters of The Solent are enjoyed by many weekenders who like the offseason reduction of boating activity and berthing fees.

Across the British Isles, the prevailing winds are from the southwest. The Solent, however, is subject to a high degree of local heating. In the western Solent, the sea breeze effect can be strong enough to reverse a northeast Beauford Force 3 morning wind and turn it into a south-westerly Force 4 by early afternoon. The results of the heating of the Isle of Wight is much less than that of the mainland, but it leads to more variable and lighter winds than on its northern side.

Are there any security concerns?

Never an issue has been known to occur to a vessel cruising the waters of The Solent or the shores of the Isle of Wight.

With thanks to:

eOceanic