Vessels up to 20m in length to avoid the main harbour entrance when arriving or departing Cowes from/to the north and east.

Vessels in the Eastern Channel must adhere to the harbour speed limit of 6 knots through the water and no wash.

Small vessels may use the Eastern Channel provided that there is sufficient water in relation to their draught. The current tide height can be found on the CHC website or on the four tide boards located around the harbour, including on the Shrape Beacon (east of the entrance to the eastern Channel) and on the 4A Beacon at the Inner Fairway junction.