Timing The Approach


The primary considerations for all visiting vessels are ensuring sufficient depth, favourable conditions for crossing the Bar, and a favourable tide for entry. Due to the heavy outflow during spring ebbs, manoeuvring is difficult for low-powered craft in the main entrance channel. When the stream reaches its maximum outflow of up to 6 knots, many boats are left "standing" at full throttle in the narrows.




While staying close to the steep, clear channel edge on the Hayling Island side can provide some safety, it is highly recommended to exercise caution and cross the Bar only within the four-hour window from HW -03:00 to HW +01:00 during spring tides. Whenever possible, schedule arrivals and departures to align with the tide, minimising the impact of peak flows. Night crossings should only be attempted in very calm conditions and by those with local knowledge.




A dangerous seaway can develop on the approaches when an ebb stream collides with strong winds over the outer shallow waters, particularly when winds blow from the southwest through southeast (southeasterlies being the most hazardous). This creates steep standing waves and breaking seas over Chichester Bar. Entry should never be attempted in strong onshore winds or significant swell, as seas break furiously over the shallow sands and across the entrance, especially during an ebb tide.




Chichester's Bar is reasonably accommodating. It lies between the two drying sandbanks of the West Pole and Middle Pole. It commences ½ mile south of the entrance and extends seaward for a further ½ mile, marked by the inner Chichester Bar Beacon. This port hand mark is a 10-metre-high single pole topped with a red can.

Bar Beacon - Pole Fl(2)R.10s10m4M position: 50º 46.023 N, 000º 56.380 W

The Bar is periodically dredged to maintain a depth of 1.5 metres below Chart Datum. The dredged channel across the Bar is approximately 200 metres wide, with the western edge marked by the transit between the outer West Pole Beacon and the Bar Beacon. With the available water, this should provide a depth of about 2 metres MLWS over the sand bar. However, shoaling often occurs after strong winds, and depths over the Bar may vary by up to 0.8 metres. A May 2024 survey of Chichester Bar recorded a minimum depth of 1.1 metres below Chart Datum, about 1.6 metres MLWS, at that time. The latest information is available on the Chichester Harbour Conservancy website.




In the absence of the latest information, the outer West Pole, 1¼ miles south-south-west of the entrance, has a tidal gauge. The gauge indicates the depth of water above Chart Datum, not the depth of the dredged channel through the Bar. A conservative rule of thumb is to assume an additional 0.70 metres of water below the height above Chart Datum shown on the West Pole gauge. This would give an overall depth of 1.25 metres in the channel at MLWS. A weather station located on the West Pole Beacon provides real-time readings of wind speed, wind direction and tide height.



Approaches


In general, high water is the best time to enter or exit to take advantage of favourable offshore approach streams from the eastern Solent. Typically, tidal currents flow eastward from the Solent toward the entrance during the flood tide, then reverse to westward during the ebb.
Vessels approaching from the east may avail of the
Cruising Guide: North Foreland to the Isle of Wight . Take special note of The Owers, south of the low-lying Selsey Bill, which will require careful consideration and detailed planning. From Selsey Bill, keep 2 miles off the shoreline across Bracklesham Bay, avoiding depths of less than 5 metres. Keep a sharp lookout for lobster pots throughout this area.

On closer approaches to the West Pole Beacon, it is advisable not to cross the 5-metre contour until the West Pole Beacon bears 310° T or greater to avoid the East Pole Sands.


Vessels approaching from Southampton Waters may avail of Cruising Guide: Southampton Water to Chichester Harbour which provides pilotage and tidal guides.

Those approaching from Langstone Harbour should take care to round the dangerous East Winner, off the eastern side of the entrance to the harbour. Formed of sand, this bank extends almost two miles from the shoreline and dries off at LWS for more than half that distance. The southern end of this is marked by the unlit Winner South Cardinal buoy, which, on less than half-tide, should be passed close to its southern side. At half-tide or above, with a keen eye on the sounder, it may be possible to cut a ½ mile inside the Winner buoy. Shape a course from the Winner to pass close outside the West Pole Beacon.


Directions



The first waypoint lies ½ a mile south of the substantial West Pole Beacon. The 14-metre-high tripod structure is, however, difficult to identify from seaward. By night, it exhibits an all-round red light, Fl.R.5s7M.




On reaching the beacon, steer a course of 013°T to the centre of the harbour entrance, passing the Bar Beacon, Fl.R.10s10m4M, close to port.




Then steer to pass close east of the Eastoke port hand buoy, Q.R., situated immediately within and on the west side of the entrance off Eastoke Point.



Once within Eastoke Point, follow the line of the western shoreline, steering a course midway between the marks, whilst passing outgoing vessels port to port, as the strength of the current creates powerful tidal eddies on both sides.




The next mark is the West Winner Beacon, Q.G., on the opposite eastern side of the channel, about 400 metres north by northeast of the Eastoke port hand buoy.




Steer to pass the West Winner Beacon on its western side, as it marks the eastern edge of the drying Winner shingle bank, which extends across three-quarters of the width of the entrance's eastern side.





The narrows finish after passing between the Hayling Island Sailing Club and NW Winner starboard buoy, FlG.10s. Then Chichester Harbour expands ahead, appearing low-lying and marshy with tidal flats and deep channels running through them.





The Fishery south cardinal buoy, Q(6) + LFl 15s, located above the head of the entrance's narrows, separates the harbour into its two main arms: the Emsworth and Chichester channels.



Emsworth Channel


The Emsworth Channel continues northward along the eastern shores of Hayling Island, clearly marked by closely spaced piles and buoys - all marked objects in the eOceanic app. It leads to the Hayling Island Yacht Company and Emsworth before branching into Sweare Deep for Northney Marina , which is marked by lit buoys and perches all the way. At the start of the channel, immediately around Black Point and close north of Hayling Island Sailing Club, is the approach to Sparkes Marina , accessed via a dredged channel marked by beacons.




At high water, low-air-draught vessels may pass between Chichester and Langstone Harbours via the Emsworth Channel. This can be achieved by passing north around Hayling Island, under Hayling Road Bridge, which connects the island to the mainland, and then through the piles of the old railway line. From there, it is possible to enter North Lake and the Langstone Channel.





Chichester Channel


The channel is marked and lit as far as the entrance to Chichester Marina, about 5 miles from the entrance. The channel passes the recognised anchorages of East Head, Thorney Channel, and Chalkdock Point to connect with the Bosham Channel, leading to Bosham Quay, and Itchenor Reach. Itchenor Reach continues to Birdham Pool, Chichester Marina, and Dell Quay.




The Chichester Channel opens to the east by northeast abreast of Hayling Sailing Club and is entered by passing south of the Fishery Buoy and sweeping northeastward, following its arc of three starboard-hand green buoys, NW Winner, Fl G 10s; N Winner, Fl(2) G 10s; and Mid Winner, Fl(3) G 10s.




These three starboard marks curve around the northwest edge of drying The Winner Bank, which extends across three-quarters of the width of the entrance's eastern side. The marks lie close to the shingle bank's steep outer edge, and it is critical not to attempt to cut inside them.




After the starboard-hand Mid Winner buoys, the Stocker port-hand buoy Fl(3) R 10s and, a ½ mile eastward, the port-hand red Copyhold buoy Fl(4) R 10s mark the north side of the channel passing south of Pilsey and Stocker's sands.




On the opposite south side of the channel to the Copyhold buoy, which is narrow here, is the starboard E Head Spit buoy, Fl(4) G 10s, off the north of East Head, and the starboard Snowhill buoy, FlG 5s 600 metres above. During the season, many yachts may be anchored at East Head anywhere south of a line between these starboard-hand buoys.




On busy summer weekends, anchored vessels may creep northward, encroaching on the channel and making it difficult to identify these marks. The channel, passing north of the moored vessels, will nevertheless be readily identifiable.




The next marks to observe are the port-hand Sandhead buoy, Fl R 10s, and starboard Snowhill, Fl G 5s, situated about a ½ mile eastward. After these marks, the channel turns to the north-east, or to port, passing between the Camber South Cardinal pile, Q(6)+LF.15, and the unlit starboard green Rookwood buoy situated about 400 metres east by northeast.




After these marks, the Chichester Channel is marked by the Roman Transit leading marks on the north side of the channel, close west of Cobnor Point. The front mark is the port-hand Roman Transit Beacon, and it aligns with the rear mark, a main white, rectangular top mark, located ¼ of a mile north by northeast of the front mark on the shoreline. The alignment of 033°T of these marks runs along the centre line of the section of Chichester Channel.




If the marks are difficult to identify, a conspicuous group of trees, called Stoke Clump, on the distant downs, as marked on the charts, provides another alignment point for these marks. The edge of the drying banks, particularly on the eastern side, is also marked by several unlit perches set on the drying banks, which should all be given a wide berth near low water.


Thorney Channel
Thorney Channel branches off from the Chichester Channel just west of the Camber Light-beacon, south cardinal pile, Q (6) + LFl 15s. The Camber Light-beacon stands 500 metres southeast of Pilsey Island, about 1½ miles within the entrance. The Pilsey Island anchorage lies 400 metres within the junction of the Thorney Channel. The small rural Thorham Marina is situated on the northeast side of Thorney Island. The Thorney Channel, easily identified by closely spaced beacons, all objects in the app, provides access and splits into the northeastern Nutbourn Channel and the northwestern Prinsted Channel. Thorham Marina is located at the head of the drying Prinsted Channel, on the western side of the inlet's entrance, approximately 2½ miles above the Camber Light-beacon.


Chichester Channel - Continued


Between the front port hand Roman Transit Beacon and the starboard hand Chalkdock Light-beacon, Fl(2) G 10s, the channel turns eastward. It then passes south of Cobnor Point and north of Chalkdock Point, where the line of the blackthorn hedge pulls back. Though there appears to be a large body of water between Chalkdock Light-beacon and the point, it is important to stay in the channel and not cut the corner here. The channel almost dries out to the perch markers, positioned as much as 500 metres out from the shoreline, and it is shallow close inside the Chalkdock Light-beacon.




After the Chalkdock Light-beacon, head for the Fairway Light-buoy, Fl(3) G 10s, just over a ½ mile away on a bearing of about 080° T. and moored 300 metres southeast of Cobnor Point. North of the point and south of a line from the Chalkdock Light-beacon to the Fairway Light-buoy lies the Chalkdock Point anchorage. The fairway between is about 300 metres wide, with port and starboard perches continuing along the edge of the drying banks.




The Fairway Light-buoy marks the junction at the entrance to Chichester Channel, where the Bosham Channel leading to Bosham Quay meets the west end of Itchenor Reach. The Deep End South Cardinal Beacon stands on the east side of the entrance to the Bosham Channel.




From the Fairway Light-buoy, the east-southeast-running Itchenor Reach channel is marked by piles and permanent moorings set along both sides. Continuing up the channel, the first jetty extending from the southern shore is the privately owned Northshore shipyard facility, where Southerly boats are built. Itchenor jetty lies 300 metres upstream to the southeast.





Itchenor, about 3½ miles within its entrance and technically known as 'West Itchenor', is marked by its jetty and the harbour office overlooking it. It is home to the Harbour Master's office and the Chichester Harbour Conservancy, whose role is to run Chichester Harbour, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, as a nature reserve. The presence of both these key bodies makes Itchenor the unofficial headquarters of the harbour area. The small, beautiful village is also a pivotal point for ferries and offers swinging moorings and mid-river pontoon berths off its deep-water jetty.




The path continues southeast by east past Itchenor for ¾ of a mile, then bends north-eastward at Longmore Point into Chichester Lake. Expect 1.2 metres at chart datum at this point. The channel then begins to shallow in a drying expanse of mudflats beyond the Birdham starboard-hand mark, Fl 4 G 10s. The beacon marks the entrance to the approach path into Birdham Pool Marina . Depths in the channel near the Birdham starboard-hand mark are 0.8 metres at chart datum.

Birdham Pool Marina with Longmore Point and Itchenor Reach in the backdrop
Image: Michael Harpur

The Chichester Marina starboard light-beacon, Fl G 5s, marks the western end of the approach channel to the Chichester Marina's waiting pontoon, and is about 100 metres further to the northeast. Depths in the channel near the marina's starboard light-beacon are 0.2 metres above chart datum.

The entrance to Chichester Marina overlooking Chichester Lake
Image: Michael Harpur

Dell Quay , situated within 2 miles of the cathedral city of Chichester and once its port, is about 1 mile to the northeast of both these starboard marks and will be clearly visible on the east side of the channel.

Dell Quay to Longmore Point
Image: Michael Harpur

The narrow Fishbourne channel, leading to Dell Quay at high water, dries beyond this point. It commences at the Copperas buoy, a green starboard-hand buoy, 750 metres above. From there, pass very close to the port and starboard buoys, numbered 1 through 4, that weave their way up to the quay. The last part of the run to the quay is between lines of moorings.

eOceanic’s App Objects:

eOceanic Objects specify the characteristics and precise locations of key seamarks and contact items in the water that are central to navigation within an area. While underway, the eOceanic App actively monitors these markers relative to your vessel's position, providing enhanced positioning and proactive hazard alerts at customisable ranges to meet your sailing needs.

You can navigate this area with confidence and ease, as eOceanic Objects in the App mark the hazards and seamarks noted above. Refer to the tutorial

LISTED WAYPOINTS
The complete course is 6.94 miles from the waypoint 'Chichester Harbour Approach' to 'Chichester Marina Channel Beacon' tending in a north easterly direction (reciprocal south westerly).

Chichester Harbour Approach, 50° 45.017' N, 000° 56.695' W
This is about a ½ mile south-southwest of the substantive West Pole Light Beacon (all-round red light Fl.R.5s7M). It is set on the recommended 013°T bearing, which passes close east of the West Pole, Bar Beacon and Eastoke buoy, leading into the entrance of Chichester Harbour. It then passes close west of the West Winner light beacon within the entrance.

      ► Next waypoint: 0.44 miles, course ⇓ 11.88°T (reciprocal ⇑ 191.88°T)

West Pole Light Beacon, 50° 45.444' N, 000° 56.553' W
Adjacent to the West Pole Light Beacon exhibiting an all-round red light Fl.R.5s7M.

      ► Next waypoint: 0.35 miles, course ⇓ 12.42°T (reciprocal ⇑ 192.42°T)

Chichester Bar, 50° 45.783' N, 000° 56.435' W
The approximate position of the start of Chichester Bar on the recommended 013°T bearing.

      ► Next waypoint: 0.25 miles, course ⇓ 12.72°T (reciprocal ⇑ 192.72°T)

Bar Beacon, 50° 46.024' N, 000° 56.349' W
Adjacent to the Bar Beacon exhibiting Fl.R.10s10m4M, and on the recommended 013°T bearing.

      ► Next waypoint: 0.66 miles, course ⇓ 16.49°T (reciprocal ⇑ 196.49°T)

Eastoke Buoy, 50° 46.652' N, 000° 56.055' W
Eastoke Port Hand Buoy, Q.R., situated immediately within and on the west side of the entrance.

      ► Next waypoint: 0.23 miles, course ⇓ 2.54°T (reciprocal ⇑ 182.54°T)

West Winner Beacon, 50° 46.880' N, 000° 56.039' W
West Winner Beacon, Q.G., marking the eastern edge of the drying Winner shingle bank.

      ► Next waypoint: 0.34 miles, course ⇓ 4.27°T (reciprocal ⇑ 184.27°T)

NW Winner buoy, 50° 47.219' N, 000° 55.999' W
Adjacent to the NW Winner starboard buoy, FlG.10s, at the head of the narrows opposite Hayling Island Sailing Club.

      ► Next waypoint: 0.14 miles, course ⇓ 21.71°T (reciprocal ⇑ 201.71°T)

N Winner buoy, 50° 47.346' N, 000° 55.919' W
Passing northwest of N Winner, FL (2) G 10s, marking the arc of The Winner Bank.

      ► Next waypoint: 0.15 miles, course ⇓ 50.42°T (reciprocal ⇑ 230.42°T)

Mid Winner, 50° 47.440' N, 000° 55.739' W
Close north of the Mid Winner starboard buoy, Fl(3) G 10s, marking the head of The Winner Bank where the Chichester Channel proceeds eastward.

      ► Next waypoint: 0.16 miles, course ⇓ 87.61°T (reciprocal ⇑ 267.61°T)

Stocker Buoy, 50° 47.447' N, 000° 55.479' W
Close south of the Stocker port-hand buoy, Fl(3) R 10s.

      ► Next waypoint: 0.35 miles, course ⇓ 82.70°T (reciprocal ⇑ 262.70°T)

Copyhold buoy, 50° 47.491' N, 000° 54.936' W
Close south of the Copyhold port-hand buoy, Fl(4) R 10s.

      ► Next waypoint: 0.47 miles, course ⇓ 71.09°T (reciprocal ⇑ 251.09°T)

Sandhead buoy, 50° 47.643' N, 000° 54.234' W
Close south of the Sandhead port-hand buoy, Fl.R.10s and on the 033°T alignment of the Roman Transit leading marks.

      ► Next waypoint: 0.27 miles, course ⇓ 32.62°T (reciprocal ⇑ 212.62°T)

Camber South Cardinal, 50° 47.872' N, 000° 54.002' W
Close east of the Camber South Cardinal pile, Q(6)+LF.15s and on the 033°T alignment of the Roman Transit leading marks.

      ► Next waypoint: 0.76 miles, course ⇓ 32.66°T (reciprocal ⇑ 212.66°T)

Chalkdock Light-beacon, 50° 48.510' N, 000° 53.355' W
Close northeast of the Chalkdock Light-beacon, Fl(2) G 10s.

      ► Next waypoint: 0.63 miles, course ⇓ 77.79°T (reciprocal ⇑ 257.79°T)

Fairway Light-buoy, 50° 48.643' N, 000° 52.380' W
Close north of the Fairway Light-buoy, Fl(3) G 10s, moored 300 metres southeast of Cobnor Point.

      ► Next waypoint: 0.31 miles, course ⇓ 115.15°T (reciprocal ⇑ 295.15°T)

Itchenor Jetty, 50° 48.512' N, 000° 51.938' W
Home to the Harbour Master's office and the Chichester Harbour Conservancy.

      ► Next waypoint: 0.85 miles, course ⇓ 117.24°T (reciprocal ⇑ 297.24°T)

Longmore Point Bend, 50° 48.123' N, 000° 50.743' W
The turnpoint south of Longmore Point.

      ► Next waypoint: 0.36 miles, course ⇓ 51.35°T (reciprocal ⇑ 231.35°T)

Birdham Beacon, 50° 48.347' N, 000° 50.300' W
Adjacent to the Birdham starboard beacon, Fl 4 G 10s, where the channel then begins to shallow into a drying expanse of mudflats.

      ► Next waypoint: 0.25 miles, course ⇓ 68.68°T (reciprocal ⇑ 248.68°T)

Chichester Marina Channel Beacon, 50° 48.436' N, 000° 49.939' W
Chichester Marina starboard light-beacon, Fl G 5s.

What is the best sailing time?

May to September is the traditional UK sailing season, with June and July offering the best weather. The amount of bad weather varies 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 landmass. As a result, the entire area lies within a zone where five main air masses meet and alternate, so it is dynamic. Chichester Harbour is relatively sheltered, but the local wind and weather conditions can change quickly.

• •Southwest (SW) Winds – The most common wind direction, often funnelling up the harbour.


• • Northeast (NE) Winds – Can be cold and gusty but create flatter water.


• •Easterly (E) Winds – Usually light but can bring fog or haze.


• •Southerly (S) Winds – Can create choppy waves at Chichester Bar.

On hot summer days, a strong sea breeze often develops by midday, picking up to Force 4-5 in the afternoon before easing at sunset. If you're planning a light wind morning sail, don't be surprised if you need to reef by the afternoon.

Fog can roll in unexpectedly, especially in spring and autumn. Always carry a working VHF radio and foghorn. Watch for sudden squalls in summer—reef early if in doubt.

Gales, however, rarely come as a surprise, as they are usually forecast well in advance. Good weather windows of 48 hours are easy to predict, but any longer than that, the chance of change increases. Winters see a predominance of wind and rain. Still, the protected waters of The Solent are enjoyed by many weekenders who like the off-season reduction in 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 Beaufort Force 3 morning wind and turn it into a south-westerly Force 4 by early afternoon. 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.

Fogs are common in all parts of the English Channel, forming both on the English and French coasts. In summer, they usually obscure the land only in the morning and are readily dispersed by heat or a light breeze. However, the moist haze, driven in by westerly winds from the sea, tends to linger and requires stronger winds for dissipation. In the eastern part of the Channel, it is unusual for the land to be entirely free from mist. The only exception occurs when the wind is from the northeast, creating a mist-free coastline that is highly distinctive from a great distance.

With thanks to: