Harbour Information

Cowes can be approached safely from the north, east, and west. When approaching from the north, care should be taken not to infringe large vessels in the Southampton Precautionary Area (see Southampton VTS Notices to Mariners). Vessels over 150 metres in length have a Moving Prohibited Zone that requires smaller craft to keep a minimum of 1,000 metres ahead and 100 metres either side.

Smaller vessels can avoid the Southampton Precautionary Area completely when taking passage from Southampton Water and the River Hamble, when height of tide permits, by passing to the east of the Bramble Bank and entering Cowes via the Eastern Channel.

Approaching Cowes from Spithead and the east, look for the Shrape Beacon, about 300 metres northwest of Old Castle Point. The tide gauge on the Shrape Beacon will indicate if the dredged Eastern Channel is safe to use (tide height + 2.25m); if not, head for Egypt Point to the west, leaving any small craft moorings and the Cowes Breakwater to port before entering the Inner Fairway north of the Royal Yacht Squadron.

Vessels approaching from the west need to keep a close lookout for unlit mooring buoys inside the large Gurnard north cardinal buoy, and watch out for yachts starting and finishing races off the harbour entrance.

All vessels approaching Cowes should do so at a safe speed, maintain a good lookout and give full consideration to other vessels, many of which are manned by inexperienced crews.