Explore: Poole Harbour
General Info
This is a large and attractive natural harbour. It is a busy place with huge commercial cross-channel catamarans as well as large numbers of leisure craft of all types.
It is an attractive small town and most marine and shoreside services can be found here. It also has several sandy beaches.
Position: 50°40.9’N, 01°57’W (harbour entrance).
Clearance
See the main U.K. Formalities page for full details.
Yachts arriving from outside the EU (the Channel Islands are outside the EU) or any yachts with non-EU citizens on board must call the National Yachtline Tel: +44 (0) 845 723 1110
Last updated February 2017.
Docking
There are a large number of moorings and anchorages here, as well as several marinas. The harbour offers complete shelter and can be entered in almost any conditions, although in wind over tide conditions the entrance can be rough.
Take care when approaching through the narrow entrance as it is only 300m wide and the tidal streams here can be strong. The chain ferry also operates across this entrance and has right of way. Also, beware of the chains near the surface at the front and rear of ferry.
Large areas of the harbour are quite shallow, but it is permissible to anchor anywhere out of the main channels, clear of local moorings and where there is sufficient water.
Brownsea Island, in the middle of the harbour, is privately owned and landing there is controlled.
North Channel is no longer routinely dredged (least depth 2.8m in 2007) but remains usable for yachts and leisure craft (best water is on the outside of the channel bends)
If planning to go on up to Cobbs Quay Marina, beware of the strong tides through the (lifting) Poole Bridge and past the Town Quay.
There are at least 8 marinas and an almost unlimited number of anchorages, depending on your draft.
Last updated February 2017.
Sandbanks Boatyard and Marina Company Ltd.
