Navigating to Portland Marina by sea
Portland Marina is sheltered within Portland Harbour, on the north of the Isle of Portland, Dorset. A popular and busy Harbour it has a six-knot speed limit and wash should be minimised.
We enjoy welcoming visitors to our marina, but we highly recommend pre-booking to avoid disappointment, especially in peak season. Priority access is given to Premier berth holders visiting from other marinas. Please report to the marina’s reception upon arrival via VHF Channel 80 or by telephone.
The following notes are provided as a simple guide to approaching the marina by sea and should not be relied on for navigation. Please consult up-to-date charts and pilot books to ensure you are aware of any navigational dangers. Visitors should also be aware of current Notices to Mariners, the weather and tides. See Portland Marina tide times here.
Portland Marina entrance
Make for Portland Harbour North Ship Channel, and notify the harbour authority of your intention to enter on VHF Ch. 74. Follow the marked fairway into the harbour: generally stay between the lateral marks/buoys showing the navigable channel (red buoys to port on entry, green to starboard — see local chart for exact buoyage).
Once through the harbour entrance, continue to follow the fairway markers south-west toward the safe water mark in the inner harbour.
After rounding the safe water mark, the fairway turns south toward the marina entrance. The marina entrance is through the north side of the marina breakwater.
As you pass the outer moorings and reach the marina breakwater, call VHF Ch. 80 or follow any signals from the marina staff for berth guidance. Once inside the breakwater entrance, turn to port (left) to enter the visitors area, or continue straight to berths on finger pontoons.
Portland Harbour
Portland Harbour is a busy mixed-use harbour, please watch for commercial vessels. These primarily use the East Ship Channel, small craft may only use this if it is cleared by the Harbour Master on VHF Ch. 74.
Recreational boats should use the North Ship Channel, and not the South Ship channel as it is obstructed. Portland Marina and the fairway are maintained to around 4–4.5 m depth at chart datum — suitable for most leisure craft.
Harbour Traffic Signals: Obey harbour traffic lights at the entrance — red lights mean stop/wait; green means clear to proceed.
Download the Premier Marinas Mobile App
Take control with MyPremier and the Premier App. Sign in to the app with your MyPremier account and access a range of unique features to help you when you're out and about. Inform your home marina of your departure and expected return, view the latest tides and weather information or report any maintenance.
