Location
Port Solent is one of the largest and most up-to-date yachting centers in Europe, offering 24 hour access to Portsmouth Harbour and the Solent. Our base, situated in the attractive Port Solent Marina, is the idea south-coast location, easily accessible by road, rail and ferry, and only an hour and a quarter away from London. Southampton Airport is just 20 miles away.
Contact details
Sunsail UK
Lock Approach
Port Solent Marina
Portsmouth
Hants
PO6 4TJ, England
Open hours
Monday to Thursday: 9:00am - 8:00pm
Friday: 9:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am -10:00am
Sunday: 3:00pm -9:00pm (when a course is running)
Base/shore facilities
As well as providing excellent sailing facilities, Port Solent also offers a choice of restaurants and shops, as well as a marine chandlery for sailing equipment and clothing. It also boasts a six screen cinema, pub, leisure centre and the popular Boardwalk, where you can enjoy a range of food, drink and shopping all year round.
Facilities include free car parking at base, petrol and diesel facilities, showers and toilets, launderette, water, ATM (boardwalk) and Sunsail reception. Post boxes are at the marina reception and the entrance to the boardwalk.
There is a vast range of cuisines and restaurants available at Port Solent.
Arrival and departure
Airport transfer
Gatwick or Heathrow to Port Solent takes approximately two hours.
Bournemouth International to Port Solent takes approximately an hour and a half.
Southampton to Port Solent takes approximately 40 minutes.
Travel/transfer
Driving from the West
Leave the M27 at Junction 12. As you approach the traffic lights ahead stay in the left hand lane. Go through these lights to the left and a further four straight ahead. Pass under a bridge and filter into the left hand lane and follow road round into the Port Solent Marina complex.
Driving from the East
Join the A27 and continue heading west. Filter left down to the Hilsea roundabout when you see a sign for Copnor, Hilsea. Take the second exit off the Hilsea roundabout and continue until you reach the Marriott Hotel traffic lights. Stay in the middle lane and continue along the road ahead through the various sets of lights. Pass through four sets of traffic lights and under a bridge. Filter into the left hand lane and follow road round into the Port Solent Marina complex.
Driving from London
Travel towards Portsmouth on the A3 and continue on the A3 (M). Take the right hand fork at the bottom of the A3 (M) for the A27, marked Portsmouth & Southampton. Take the westbound A27 and follow the "From the East" directions.
By train
The nearest main line station is Portsmouth and Southsea with regular connections to Chichester, Brighton, London and Southampton. However, if a bus service to Port Solent is required you will need to get off the train at Fratton railway station, Portsmouth. The nearest local station to Port Solent is Portchester and the station at Havant is conveniently placed on the Network South East, London to Portsmouth Harbour Service.
For information on local and national train times and fares telephone: 08457 484950 (24 hour service).
On arrival
Follow the main road going straight across the first roundabout. At the next roundabout, bear right (the only way). At the third roundabout, take the second exit. Then drive over two speed humps and take the next right. Follow the signs for Sunsail , parking is free in the gravel car park on your left.
On arrival, please make your way down to the Sunsail office, following the path beside the marina down towards a smaller car park where you will see the Sunsail building, and then check in with a member of staff.
On board
You will be shown to your yacht and be given paper work and a yacht brief to go through the boat and inventory before you depart on your charter. Please ensure you hand back any necessary paperwork before you depart.
Sailing Information
Sailing experience: Level 3
Experience levels are based on sailing conditions and the length of passages within your chosen sailing area. Follow the link for more information on the sailing conditions.
Get more information on Port Solent's sailing conditions.
Sailing licence
A minimum of RYA Day Skipper is required, however those wishing to charter beyond Chichester and Poole must produce a Coastal Skipper Certificate or equivalent experience.
Please advise the base if you wish to cross the channel, as additional paperwork is required for the skipper to take onboard.
Night time sailing
Night sailing is not permitted; you must be moored at least one hour before sunset at all of our locations.
Cruising area limits
Those wishing to charter beyond Chichester and Poole must produce a Coastal Skipper Certificate or equivalent experience, and notify the base well in advance of departure.
Mooring and marina fees
Mooring/marina fees are included in the schools course fees, however bareboat charters must pay their own mooring fees.
Area and sailing
The cruising area for our fleet is based within the sheltered waters of the Solent and Southampton water. From Port Solent yachts generally head west to enjoy some of the famous locations of the Solent, or you could venture south for a trip to the Channel Islands or over to France.
Charts and pilot book
Charts are provided between Chichester and Poole only. All the charts and pilot books you will need for the sailing area are on board the yacht.
General information
Shopping
There is a superstore just five minutes from the base. Tesco North Harbour is available for 24-hour shopping and fuel.
Hotels
A five minute drive from Port Solent. All guests services are available, including a restaurant, bar and health club.
Bedding and towels
Please note, we do not provide bedding so please bring your own sleeping bags, pillow and towels.
Electrical, phones and music
Music/iPods
All boats are fitted with a radio and CD player. Our yachts have 2-pin European sockets and a 12 volt socket onboard. You must bring a travel adapter if you wish to use the electrical sockets.
Health and safety
Safety
All yachts are equipped with adult life jackets harnesses and we leave it up to you to decide when personal safety equipment should be worn when on a bareboat charter. We do not provide lifejackets for children under 13 years. You must bring your own lifejackets for children under 13 years and ensure they are worn at all times. Please see our full booking conditions for more details.
Swim Safe
For your safety and for environmental reasons, the feeding of fish is not recommended and may be prohibited in some destinations.
Call our experts
Book online today