Brighton Marina is set against a backdrop of white cliffs on the East Sussex coastline, just half a mile east of the historic city of Brighton.
The marina was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 31 May 1979 and is currently the largest marina in the UK with more than 1,300 berths and a full-service boatyard. It is also a worthy recipient of The Yacht Harbour Association’s prestigious 5 Gold Anchors Award.
The marina is made up of a locked inner harbour and an open outer harbour offering boaters 24-hour access to open water. The development has grown over the years and, alongside a Malmaison hotel, it has become a highly desirable place to live with many modern apartment blocks. In addition it has a vibrant mix of boats, bars, restaurants and entertainment and once claimed to be the most Instagrammed place in the UK!
FACILITIES & BERTHING
Brighton Marina welcomes boats up to 24m or 50 tonnes. It originally had 1,600 berths, however due to a trend for larger leisure boats and investment in more modern linear pontoon configurations, it now accommodates 1,300 berths, most of which are in the outer harbour.
The more sheltered inner harbour offers guaranteed deep water with the lock operating in daylight hours. The marina office is manned 24/7 and there is 24hr security across the entire Brighton Marina estate.
The entrance channel and visitor bay are dredged to 2m below chart datum. There are regular dredging operations to make the fairways deeper for navigating. Last year an external dredging contractor removed nearly 59,000 cubic metres of silt. In addition, Premier Marinas owns dredger ‘Doris’ which can access the tricky-to-get-to areas.
The busy boatyard has a new 60-tonne boat hoist and a static crane used for mast work and engine lifts, plus a new mast rack. There is also a remote controlled boat mover and boat parker, which together are capable of lifting up to 25 tonnes, and a 2.5-tonne forklift.
Berth holder facilities can be found on both the East and West Jetties; they include several individual luxury shower rooms and a laundry facility – with contactless payment.
The self-service fuel jetty dispenses both diesel and unleaded fuel and can be found near the lock entrance, while a pump-out service is located on the East Jetty. In addition, there is a large supermarket just a short walk from the boats.
There is an equal mix of power to sailing boats to be found here, and Brighton Marina Yacht club welcomes visitors, sailors, divers and all sea-lovers to its floating clubhouse. Regular yacht racing and cruising programmes are organised, alongside other lively social events.
Berth holders are also well served with marine services: sail repair, covers and upholstery services are provided by Nickys, who run the well-stocked chandlery too. Rigging services are provided by Forrest & Stevens and Shipwright Services offers a comprehensive range of services including GRP and gelcoat repairs.
Bright-n-Clean offers antifouling, valeting and shipwright services, and engineering services are provided by Suire Marine and West Marine services. Should you be in the market to buy or sell, Brighton Boat Sales’ small, friendly team may assist with more than 30 years’ experience in the marine industry.
For fun and adventure, Lagoon Watersports offers courses to learn to sail a yacht, dinghy, windsurf, wakeboard or drive a powerboat, and Newhaven Scuba Centre runs a Scuba diving training centre with more than 25 years of trading. Hatt Adventures, meanwhile, offers carefully crafted courses, trips and adventure holidays for climbing, abseiling, paddleboarding, mountaineering and more.
ACCESS
Directions by land: The marina is well signposted. If approaching from the A27, take the B2123. Turn right at the first set of traffic lights, signposted Brighton Town Centre, Racecourse and Marina Village. Turn left at the second set of traffic lights, pass the Racecourse and follow the signs for the Marina Village where there is free parking for 1,500 cars in the multi-storey car park.
As part of the Black Rock rejuvenation project, a new pedestrian and cycle link is being created between Black Rock and the marina. The number 7 bus also runs approximately every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day, from Brighton Town Centre (North Street or Queens Road) to the Marina Village. The nearest main line station is Brighton with regular connections to Chichester and Portsmouth; London is also under an hour away.
Directions by sea: The entrance to Brighton Marina lies between the marina’s east and west breakwater arms and is, as mentioned, dredged to –2m CD. However, storms tend to drive sand in to form a bank to the south and east of the end of the eastern breakwater and shoaling may occur in the entrance channel, particularly on the east side, between annual dredges, vessels with a draft in excess of 1m are advised to wait at least 120 minutes either side of low water. For the latest position contact the Marina Reception VHF Channel 80 or 37.
The entrance channel is buoyed by red and green markers. When approaching from the west, give the end of the western breakwater a wide berth to avoid exiting traffic. In heavy weather, many vessels choose to approach from the south, which avoids much of the back wash from the breakwaters. The entrance channel is buoyed to the inner entrance, marked by fixed red and green vertical lights. Speed limit is 5 knots. Please check the notices to mariners before arrival.
CRUISING
Brighton Marina is a great starting point for exploring the South Coast or a trip across the Channel to the continent. To the east, you can visit Eastbourne or enjoy the quieter anchorages of Rottingdean and Saltdean.
To the west, many enjoy anchoring by the pier and taking in the bustling beach life. For a longer trip, you can catch the tide towards the Solent or hop across to Dieppe and other ports on France’s north coast. Fishing trips, diving excursions and sea tours all set off from the marina, and dolphins are often seen from the breakwater.
OUT & ABOUT
Beyond the lively atmosphere of the marina with its bars, restaurants, casino and cinema and just a 25-minute walk away, the city of Brighton has a plethora of attractions. Explore The Lanes for unique and independent shops, the traditional pier, the SeaLife Centre and the Brighton i360 viewing platform. A little further afield you can access the South Downs National Park, popular with walkers and cyclists.
PERSONAL RECOMMENDATIONS
Brothers Paul and Barry Shoebridge have been using Brighton Marina for many years. In the late 1970s they would launch their 13ft Fletcher Arrow with a 40hp Mercury outboard from a trailer on a ramp under the entrance roadway (where the car washers are today) to enjoy many happy days water-skiing. Now Paul and Barry are happily retired, respectively owning a Quicksilver 530 Flamingo cabin boat with a 75hp Mercury and a new Quicksilver 625 Pilothouse with a 150hp Mercury, and are still enjoying the marina and its facilities.
“We use our boats to enjoy fishing and cruising the coast or, when Barry’s younger family members are with him, a bit of skiing and wakeboarding. We have a great relationship with all the marina staff who are always so welcoming and helpful when we need help with anything. Brighton Marina and its staff feel like part of our boating family and we both hope – bodies willing – to enjoy many more years as part of their berth holder family.”
MORE INFORMATION
Mike Hatch CMM
Marina Manager, Brighton Marina
East Sussex, BN2 5UP
01273 819919
brighton@premiermarinas.com
www.premiermarinas.com
