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Portsmouth

Portsmouth Yacht Charters & Sailing Holidays

Inspiring Itineraries

Portsmouth

August 5-Day Flotilla

Sunday 11th – Friday 16th August, 2024 | £2,299 inc VAT for up to 10 people

**Skippered charters also available** Call 02394 350505 or email us now

Cruising area

You will cruise around the Solent and enjoy places of really unexpected beauty. Highlights might include anchoring in Newtown Creek with its colony of seals and population of sea eagles. Or sailing past Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyards with a close up view of warships old and new. Beaulieu is another hidden gem buried in the New Forest, with a delightful pub and access to the famous motor museum if you want to spend some hours ashore. Cowes, Yarmouth and Lymington are some of yachting’s finest destinations and each one is different. There’s no thrill like arriving in a town from the sea!

Typical flotilla itinerary:

Arrive at Port Solent Marina the night before to collect your yacht. You’ll receive a thorough handover from our Prometheus Sailing base staff and be introduced to the other members of the flotilla. Following an overnight stay at the marina on board your yacht, the group will set sail in the morning to Cowes. Please Note:
  • this itinerary is subject to changes
  • day sailing times and distances are a guide only, based on average routes and wind speeds
  • these are subject to actual course sailed, weather and tides on the day
Where is the best place to sail from Portsmouth?

Sailing from Portsmouth and Port Solent allows you to experience sailing in one of the busiest waterways in the world. 

This stretch of water is sandwiched between the rugged English Coast and the North Shores of the Isle Of Wight. Discover beautiful sand beaches, Salt Marshlands, Shingle Coves and Sloping green hills that meet the ocean with a dramatic drop – all from your private yacht. 

There are many sailing options from Port Solent, with some locations being particularly party-friendly or ideal grounds for fossil hunters; find family-friendly beaches or historical towns with incredible architectural history, along this stretch of coast. We have summarised our top stops for your charter, depending on the holiday experience you’re after, below.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         For Families

The Jurassic Coast is a beautiful sail from Port Solent, to Durdle Door and The Needle, all are great spots for kids to learn about geography and take in the beauty of this coast. Stopping off in places like Lulworth cove will also give families the opportunity to go fossil hunting and learn about the dinosaurs that once roamed these beaches. 

For Couples

Sailing from Portsmouth’s Port Solent to Bournemouth will showcase The UK’s spectacular coastline – from sailing through The Solent, with the Isle of Wight to one side and mainland UK to the other, you will find yourself at peace. Then past The New Forest – rugged, ancient beaches with greenery, wild horses and beautiful nature reserves and Bournemouth lights from restaurants, bars and street lamps are like art as they reflect across the ocean water at night.  

For First-Time Sailors

If you’re new to sailing or wish to have your first sailing adventure in the UK, we suggest exploring our Sailing School located in Port Solent, provided by our partner, Prometheus. We advise achieving an advanced and confident sailing proficiency before embarking independently from Portsmouth (a minimum qualification of level 3 is required to sail with us from Portsmouth). Alternatively, you have the option to enlist the services of a hired skipper.

For Large GroupsThe Solent, with its expansive waters and diverse destinations, is a great option for large groups departing from Portsmouth. Organise a flotilla or charter multiple boats to accommodate everyone. Bournemouth, Southampton and Portsmouth are all university towns, each offer their own unique atmospheres but all have great nightlife and restaurants which will be accommodating of large parties.

What are the best things to do in Portsmouth?

If you’re wondering what to do in Portsmouth, there are many options, from the local aquarium to exploring the cobbled old town. Portsmouth also has great links to other towns and cities such as Winchester, Southampton, London and Chichester. We have summarised the best things to do in Portsmouth, below:

Relaxing

  • Enjoy a leisurely stroll or a picnic on this expansive green space along the seafront at Southsea Common.
  • Take in panoramic views of the city and the harbour from Spinnaker Tower Viewing Deck.
  • Kick back, relax and treat yourself to a relaxing spa day at the serene Solent Hotel and Spa.

Exploring

  • Portsmouth Historic Dockyard: Discover maritime history, explore historic ships like HMS Victory, and visit the interactive museums.
  • Old Portsmouth: Wander through cobbled streets, explore historic buildings, and enjoy the charm of this area.
  • Fort Nelson: Explore the impressive artillery collection, interactive exhibits and take in the picturesque surroundings.

Eating and Drinking

  • Gunwharf Quays: A waterfront dining and shopping area with a variety of restaurants and bars.
  • The Still & West: A historic pub with great views of the harbour and delicious food.
  • Rocka Restaurant: For delicious, independent, fresh food presented with creative flair.

Nearby Towns

  • For a village feel: Winchester
  • For shopping and Dining: Southampton
  • For Georgian and Roman Architecture: Chichester
When is the best time to visit Portsmouth?

The best time to visit Portsmouth is between June and September for the clearest skies and warmest weather, however, October, April and May can all be warm and breezy too.

What are the sailing conditions in Portsmouth like?

We require a level 3 certification from sailors chartering a yacht from Portsmouth as The Solent strait –  separating the Isle of Wight from the mainland of England- has strong tidal currents. Understanding and navigating these tidal flows is crucial for sailors in the area.

How much does it cost to charter a yacht from Portsmouth?

The pricing is contingent on factors such as the season, duration of your charter, and the kind of holiday experience you desire. Prices differ for our Sailing Schools, Flotilla Charters, and Bareboat options. To obtain an accurate quote tailored to your preferences, please, contact Prometheus on learn@prometheus-sailing.co.uk or call 02394 350 505 to make a booking (Monday to Friday 9.00 – 17:30).

How much are the moorings fees in Portsmouth?

The mooring expenses will vary based on your chosen stopping point; each harbour or marina has its unique policies. Some establishments charge for day passes, while others operate on an hourly basis, with rates contingent on the size of the yacht selected. It is advisable to consult with our holiday planners for more detailed information on this matter before embarking on your sailing journey.

From the Sailing Blog

What Guests are Saying

Sightseer45712203007 Antigua

“i have a group of sailing friends and we have been doing a bareboat charters around the world together each year for the last 20 years.
this year we went to Sunsail: Antigua
first let me talk about the base – nelson’s dock yard is a wonderful, protected landing and a nice place to start and end the journey – interesting things to see, easy access to stores to provision and buy souvenirs, lots of fun restaurants to try. the team at sunsail put the boat on and off the dock before handing the boat over (kind of like having a pilot coming into a major harbor), so while our crew may have enjoyed the challenge, we were also fine not having the drama of docking a boat we did not have a lot of experience with.
next antigua – plenty of great sailing detinations – the winds and weather did not disappoint. lots of easy to navigate to anchorages…..just easy and fun and interesting.
the boat – we had a Sunsail 44 with a 4 cabin layout. it was in good working order, clean, intelligently laid out and sailed very nicely. one of the nicest roomiest monohulls for its size.
the team at Sunsail – the team at the base were friendly and helpful and professional. there is a lot more paperwork and explicit focus on safety then in the old days. however the team was thorough in their boat and map briefing and didn’t rush it and took our followup questions and made us comfortable. we enjoyed their smile and enthusiasm seeing us start our charter and their smiles and help winding things up.
another great holiday – thanks Sunsail.”

skyehigh Agana

“We just came back from a week flotilla in Croatia. Our lead crew was amazing, Esme was on hand for bookings, Fraser welcomed us into every dock showing remarkable patience when the boys line throwing went wrong and Miha visited every night to check on all things technical”

Meander63970449191 Agana

“Huge thanks to Amy Smith for the fun and professional course with Sunsail Agana ! Amy is a very talented and thorough instructor. Her calm and patient approach certainly helped to get all Comp Crew and Skippers Ticket candidates across the line ! Thank you Amy ! You are a gem 😊”

K7070JAsimonj Agana

“We sailed as a family for a week with Rob from Sunsail. The children earned their RYA “Competent Crew”, my wife and I “Day Skipper”. We had a great time and learned a lot. Rob was great with the kids.”

Safari58349251535 Agana

“Thank you to Michael, Imogen, and Carraig for their support on our Krka flotilla. Lovely destinations and good times….”

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