Chichester Marina can be found nestled deep in the Chichester Harbour Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty against the backdrop of the South Downs.
Opened in 1966, Chichester is one of the UK’s first marinas and the second largest in the UK. The marina has seen substantial investment to sympathetically modernise all infrastructure and has been awarded TYHA’s prestigious Five Gold Anchors for high quality facilities and customer centric services. Despite its size, Chichester Marina is a peaceful haven with easy access to Chichester Harbour, East Head and the popular cruising grounds of the Solent.
FACILITIES
Chichester Marina is a safe and secure locked marina for boats up to 22m (max beam 7m, max draft 2.3m). Offering 1,100 wet marina berths and a slipway for trailer sailers to launch.
24-hour security monitors the site; the marina lock also operates 24 hours a day. Whilst the marina team are always on hand to assist at the side of the lock, they also offer inductions and lock workshops to support berth holders wishing to familiarise themselves with the process of entering and leaving the lock.
The marina operates two travel hoists at either side of the marina: a 35-tonne hoist on the north side, near the marina’s slipway, and a 65-tonne hoist on the south side of the marina next to the boatyard complex.
An innovative boat wash water recycling system by FiltaBund has recently been introduced in the south boatyard which prevents contaminated run-off entering the harbour. This system filters the wastewater from the jet-washing process, removes potential pollutants such as copper, zinc and paint particles and recycles the water to pump it back to the jet-wash, essentially protecting the local marine ecosystem from pollution.
It is one of several environmental and sustainability initiatives Premier Marinas has already deployed including using power-efficient LED lighting and solar PV generation at all its sites, and starting the journey towards low-carbon HVO fuel use in boatyard plant and machinery.
Continued investment across Chichester Marina ensures the facilities are maintained to a high standard yet are sympathetic to the local surroundings. A long-term maintenance project is underway to re-deck all finger pontoons, ramps, walkways and hammerheads for lasting durability, the berth holder laundry facility has been upgraded (now accepting contactless payment) and a pump-out facility has been installed at the fuel dock. Regular investment in the onsite treatment plant helps to protect the ecosystem in Chichester Harbour AONB.
Marina tenants include many yacht brokers and marine services from rigging to engineering. The onsite chandlery, Marlin Leisure Marine, is open 9am – 5pm, 7 days a week.
In addition, berth holders and marine users alike can also now benefit from the brand-new Premier Self-Store facility offering dry storage for marine equipment with variable sized lockable units available to access 24 hours a day.
ACCESS
The marina is easily accessed from the Chichester bypass (A27) by taking the A286 towards the Witterings. Buses operate every 20 minutes between Chichester Bus station and the Witterings, with fast trains running between London Victoria and the city’s main rail station.
Gatwick airport is an hour-and-a-quarter by road. Private aircraft may land at Goodwood Aerodrome just five miles from the marina.
Approach from the sea via the West Pole beacon and cross over Chichester Bar at the entrance to the harbour. Inside the harbour, the channel is well marked: head north-east past East Head keeping Itchenor on your starboard side and up Fishbourne Creek until you arrive at the marina. The marina approach channel is dredged to approximately 0.5m below CD. Call the lock keeper on VHF Ch80 and upon arrival look out for the red/green/amber lock signals.
CRUISING
Chichester Harbour itself has 17 miles of amazing channels and some superb sandy beaches to explore by boat with a particularly tranquil anchorage off East Head. Outside Chichester Bar, it is just a short hop to Premier’s Southsea Marina with its friendly angling club.
The Eastern Solent is a short sail away with idyllic spots such as Bembridge and Osborne Bay on the Isle of Wight, or historic Portsmouth Harbour can be experienced from Premier’s Gosport or Port Solent marinas.
Also, within a day’s sail to the west, you will find Beaulieu, Lymington and Yarmouth and the Hamble River – home to Premier’s Swanwick and Universal marinas. Premier Marinas’ berth holders can take advantage of 42 free visitor nights at all Premier marinas. Chichester is also an excellent starting point for cross-channel cruises to France or the Channel Islands.
Chichester Harbour is a very popular spot for recreational boat and dinghy racing. It is advised to anticipate sailing craft manoeuvres and allow plenty of room if necessary. Be wary of entering Chichester Harbour in a strong Southerly wind, however the harbour itself provides great shelter in all five main channels.
OUT & ABOUT
Visitors do not have to go far for great food and a lively atmosphere. In the marina, The Boat House Café is a relaxed eatery with plenty of seating inside and outside overlooking the harbour. Also on site, Chichester Yacht Club, with more than 1,300 members (both sailing and motorboat enthusiasts), has a large modern clubhouse, spacious bar and restaurant serving snacks and full meals.
Nestled at the foot of the South Downs, Chichester is surrounded by beautiful countryside, sandy beaches, fishing villages and historical and family attractions including Goodwood House and Racecourse. Aside from watersports, the area is popular for walking and birdwatching. From the marina, there is a 7.5km figure-of-eight walk taking in Dell Quay which was once a busy commercial port. The traditional Crown & Anchor pub in Dell Quay is a popular eatery in this tiny village.
At Chichester Marina you can hire an App-Bike to enjoy the Salterns Way, a 12-mile cycle route, which runs from the centre of Chichester to the sandy beaches at East Head. Most of the route follows dedicated cycle paths, which weave around fields, but the route also passes down country lanes and a few roads.
Just four miles away, the city of Chichester combines all the attractions of a thriving urban centre with the remains of Roman streets, walls and gateways. For culture, the iconic cathedral has stood at the heart of Chichester for more than 900 years and Pallant House Gallery houses one of the best collections of 20th century British art in the world. In addition, Chichester Festival Theatre is one of the finest regional theatres in the country.
PERSONAL RECOMMENDATIONS
“We have made passages to Northern Spain, France, Southern England and Southern Ireland and have yet to find a marina we like as much as our home base here in Chichester. Set in the most beautiful countryside with lovely walks to Chichester and along the harbour shore through to the sea, you cannot beat the facilities at Chichester Marina.
“The roomy shower blocks are always clean and warm with plenty of hot water, the groundskeepers do a supreme job (there are few marinas with such beautifully kept grounds) and the boatyard crew work tirelessly throughout the year, handling our boats with care and consideration.
“Marina manager Andrew has brought together a friendly, knowledgeable team who are a delight to get to know and quickly make you feel welcome. The office is manned 24/7 and staff regularly walk around the marina, all of whom we have found incredibly helpful. Over the years, staff change but it would appear the calibre of staff matters to the Chichester managers.”
Richard and Amanda Cutsforth,
S/S Justine Gabrielle
INFORMATION
Marina Manager Andrew Collumbell CMM has assembled his ‘dream team’ to ensure every berth holder and visitor has a great experience whilst at Chichester Marina. His team (20 plus extra seasonal staff in the summer) is available to assist with any queries you may have.
Chichester Marina
Birdham, Chichester,
West Sussex PO20 7EJ
VHF Channel 80
Tel: 01243 512 731
For bookings or contracts please call within office hours: 09:00 – 17:30
chichester@premiermarinas.com
www.premiermarinas.com
www.cyc.co.uk
www.idealcollection.co.uk/theboathousecafe-chichester/
www.app-bike.co.uk
