Navigating to Sovereign Harbour by sea
Sovereign Harbour, Eastbourne provides a welcome haven for boats, lying on the coast east of Brighton and west of Hastings.
We enjoy welcoming visitors to all our marinas, but we strongly advise pre-booking, especially in peak season. Priority access is given to Premier berth holders visiting from other marinas. Visiting vessels are to 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 Sovereign Harbour tide times here.
If you are approaching Eastbourne from the east or south east, remain alert for the tide rips over the Royal Sovereign Shoal, the Horse of Willingdon and the inshore Coxheath Shoal. Approaching from the west, clear the shore by a mile after rounding Beachy Head.
The Martello Tower at Langney Point serves as a landmark with a Xenon light (Fl (3).15s12m7M) to indicate the marina. A Safe Water Mark (LFl.10s) at the waypoint Lat 50º 47'.37N Long 000º 20'.81E marks the start of the entrance channel. Upon arrival at the Safe Water Mark contact us on VHF Channel 17.
Entrance channel
To seaward of the breakwater entrance the channel is buoyed with two green starboard marks and a yellow special mark. These two green buoys mark a World War One wreck, visible at LW springs. It is important to keep the white sector of the single point leading light which leads in on 258º true. If the leading light is red, turn to starboard, if green, turn to port.
Entering the harbour
A five-knot speed limit applies inside the harbour. Pass between the breakwaters marked with lights, coming off the leading line and heading towards the locks once you can see the traffic signals. The locks are accessible at all states of the tide. Proceed through the buoyed channel which is dredged to -2.4m below chart datum. Please note that some parts of the Outer Harbour dry at low water. View the marina’s locking procedure here.
Sovereign Harbour features
Sovereign Harbour in Eastbourne has all the services you’d expect from a premium marina.
Parking
Free onsite berth holder parkingPersonal bathrooms
Individual shower rooms and toiletsPump-out
Holding tank pump-out facilitiesWater
Water is available free of charge across the site
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