Chichester Harbour : Profile

Location

This is a large, but generally shallow, harbour just to the east of Portsmouth and The Solent. It is home to a large number of sailing boats as well as their associated industries and services.

The harbour and its surrounding wetlands is also a refuge for a wide variety of wildlife and rare waterfowl.

Docking

The entrance is relatively narrow for such an extensive area of water, but it does have a bar and care should be taken to cross this at the right time. In strong winds over tide it can be extremely dangerous. The ebb tide can reach up to 6 knots through the entrance. It is not easy to identify the channel at night.
NB A December 2009 survey shows a least depth over Chichester Bar of 1-2m below CD. The HM advises that after severe gales at least depth of 0.8m below CD should be assumed.

There are several marinas and yacht clubs which welcome visitors.

Anchoring is only permitted in designated areas. These being East Head, Pilsey Island and the western end of Itchenor Reach.

Chichester Channel runs up to Itchenor Reach and Bosham Channel. From East Head SHM buoy pass between Snowhill SHM buy and Sandhead PHM buoy then head about 030deg for 1m to leave Chaldock NCM Bn to starboard. The transit shown on AC 3418 need not be identified nor followed exactly. 6 ca E of Chaldock Bn the channel divides. Turn N into Bosham Channel or continue ESE into Itchenor Reach for Birdham Pool and Chichester Marina beyond which is the drying Fishbourne Channel to Dell Quay.

Anchoring is prohibited in Itchenor Reach and Bosham Channel. NB Following the bed levelling work, the least depth on Sandhead bank is now 1.9 below CD. Buoys in the area have been moved accordingly. (posted April 2010)

Birdham Pool Marina Birdham Pool, Chichester, Sussex Tel:+44(0)1243 512310, Fax:+44(0)1243 513163, VHF Channel 80 www.birdhampool.co.uk, info@birdhampool.co.uk 265 berths in idyllic surroundings. Only accessible three hours either side of HW via a lock. Enter the channel at the Birdham SHM beacon, the channel is marked by green piles that should be left no more than 3m to starboard. Fully equipped boatyard with wide range of marine facilities on hand including small chandlery (open 6 days a week)

[Show additional 10 entries for this category]

Yacht Clubs

Arun Yacht Club
Riverside West, Littlehampton,, West Sussex BN17 5DL
Tel:+44(0)1903 716016
secretary@arunyc.co.uk

Bosham Sailing Club
The Quay, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 8LU
Tel:+44(0)1243 572341

Chichester Cruiser and Racing Club
Chichester Harbour, Chichester PO20
Tel:+44(0)1483 770391
www.ccrc.co.uk

Chichester Yacht Club
Chichester marina, Birdham, Chichester, West Sussex PO20 7EJ
Tel:+44 (0)243 512 918, Fax:+44 (0)1243 512 627
www.cyc.co.uk, office@cyc.co.uk
Opening Hours: Open all day.
Welcomes visitors and has first-class facilities, bar and restaurant.

Dell Quay SC
Dell Quay Road, Chichester, West Sussex PO20 7EE
Tel:+44(0)1243 785080/789173/785954, Fax:+44(0)1243 781567

Emsworth Sailing Club
Southern end of main mill pond.
Tel:+44 (0)243 372 850
Excellent new bar/restaurant facilities and visitors are very welcome.

Emsworth Slipper Sailing Club
The Old Quay, Emsworth
Tel:+44 (0)243 372 523
www.emsworthslippersc.org.uk
Visitors are welcome to use the bar and restaurant.

Hayling Island Sailing Club
Hayling Island SC,, Sandy Point,, Hayling Island, Hampshire. PO11 9SL
Tel:+44 (0)23 9246 3768
www.hisc.co.uk
Excellent facilities in the new clubhouse. Deep water moorings for visitors.

Itchenor SC
Chichester
Tel:+44(0)1243 512400

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