Premier Marinas

By Sea

Portchester Lake Entrance

• The entrance to Portchester Lake,which is about a mile north of the harbour entrance, is marked to the west by pile 57 and to the east by pile 95. 
• The whole channel is marked by red piles to the west, numbered 57 to 74 (leave to port) and by green piles to the east running from 95 to 75.
• Twenty of the piles are lit by navigational lights and the characteristics of these lights are designed to avoid confusion between succeeding piles. The position of the lit piles has been selected so that the line between any two successive lit piles lies in the channel. 
• Boats should not cross the channel from one lit pile to the next, ie 'pile hop' as this contravenes the normal starboard hand rule for proceeding along a channel. However, in extremes, a boat may find it useful to use this line to stay in safe water.

Passage North through Portchester Lake

• At night make for Group Flash (3) Red every 5 seconds light on pile No. 57 approximately 1 mile north of the harbour entrance,which marks the entrance to Portchester Channel.
• You should also look for Quick Flash Green mounted on No. 95 until the channel opens. Both these lights are visible at 3.2 miles. 
• Immediately to the north of pile 94 are two unlit spherical yellow buoys marking foul ground and these should be left to starboard. 
• Although the channel in the south is wide, the best water is defined by a number of craft moored to large buoys, which are not lit, and should be left to port. 
• At night this reach of the channel is clearly defined by lit starboard hand piles Nos 93, 92, 90, 88 and 86.
• As you clear the moored craft and in the vicinity of lit pile 63 to port and lit pile 88 to starboard, the channel narrows and starts a long slow left-hand bend.
• North of 86 the bend tightens and the best water now lies close to the three lit port piles 66, 67 and 68. 
• On the right-hand side opposite these piles is Tipner Lake.
• This entrance is marked by two piles Red 82 and Green 85. The former on the starboard side of the main channel can cause confusion.
• Tipner Lake is a cul-de-sac and should be avoided. 
• As you proceed around the bend the gate at lit piles No 68 to port - Group Flash 4 Red every 10 seconds and No 80 to starboard - Group Flash 4 Green every 10 seconds, marks the sharp turn left into the final section of channel with Portchester Castle to port.
• At pile 78 make your call to Port Solent on VHF channel 80 and request a lock in. 
• In season the upper section is well marked by moored yachts.
• Off season beware of many unlit moorings onboth sides of the channel. 
• From Pile No 80 turn slowly almost due north to Pile 79 - Group Flash 5 Green every 10 seconds, avoiding the shallow water immediately north of Pile No. 80. 
• At low tide keep to the Port side of the channel to Pile 72A, thereafter cross to the starboard side of the channel to Pile No. 76 - Flash Green every 5 seconds. 
• Pile No 75 - Group Flash 2 Green every 5 seconds, opens the channel between rows of piled yacht moorings.
• Proceed between the moorings steering on Pile A - Group Flash 4 Red every 10 seconds and Pile B - Group Flash 3 Green every 10 seconds. 
• Once abeam of Pile B, steer to follow a line leaving the outer pontoons to Starboard. 
• At Pile B the lock entrance will be clearly visible. Do not proceed into the lock barrel unless three green entry lights show. If it is necessary to wait for the lock, moor to the outer waiting pontoon, clear of the lock entrance.

Lock Entrance Waypoint

• Latitude 50º 50' 37" N
• Longitude 01º 06' 06" W
• 12 port solent marina guide12

By Road

From the west: 

• Motorway access is via the M27 at junction 12 - look out for the brown and white 'Port Solent Tourist Attraction' sign. 
• Branch left, signposted A27 Paulsgrove, then merge onto the A27. 
• Follow the A27 into Southampton Road.
• Turn left onto Port Way, signposted Port Solent.

From the east: 

• At Hilsea, branch left, signposted non motorway traffic, off the A27. 
• Then at the roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Western Road - A27 - signposted Fareham. 
• Follow A27 onto Southampton Road.
• Turn left onto Port Way, signposted Port Solent.
• From Portsmouth:Take the M275 and follow the signs.

By Bus

Every day of the week, bus number 24 runs hourly between The Hard, Portsmouth and Port Solent. (Bus stop is in front of the UCI cinema). 

Call First Hampshire Buses on 023 9286 3353

By Rail

Portsmouth and Southsea is the nearest mainline station with regular connections to Chichester, Brighton, London and Southampton.
The nearest local station is Portchester and the station at Havant is conveniently placed for London Waterloo and Portsmouth Harbour services.

For National Rail Enquiries call 08457 484950.

By Air

Port Solent is within easy reach of Heathrow and Gatwick international airports. Southampton and Goodwood airports provide local, national and international flights. 

Tel: 023 8062 7193 (Southampton) and 01243 755061 (Goodwood private light aircraft only). 

Helicopters may land on a site next to the marina by arrangement with Portsmouth City Council.

By Ferry

Port Solent enjoys excellent links to the continent, the Channel Islands and to the Isle of Wight via Portsmouth ferry and hovercraft services. 

For Portsmouth Tourist Information Centre call 023 9282 6722.