Chichester Harbour
50°48.4'N 000°54.6'W · Chichester Harbour entrance (East Head) (2nm)
1–3m
Depth
Excellent
Holding
60m
Alarm radius
Busy
Crowd level
Chichester Harbour is one of England's finest natural estuaries — a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) covering 50 square miles of tidal water, mudflat and saltmarsh east of Portsmouth. Four main channels (Chichester, Emsworth, Bosham and Thorney) provide dozens of anchorages in beautiful surroundings. The harbour is a hugely popular sailing area for both day sailing and cruising — the Chichester Harbour Federation manages over 1,000 moorings and extensive sailing club infrastructure. The ancient Roman city of Chichester is 4nm from the harbour head. Bosham (a channel village) was depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry — Harold's ships are shown departing from here in 1066.
Best Months
Anchor Zones
Thorney Channel — main anchorage
Excellent1–3m · Alarm: 60m
Anchor in 1–3m (CD) in the wide sections of Thorney Channel, clear of the fairway (marked by lateral buoys). Mud throughout — outstanding holding. The harbour provides almost complete all-round shelter. Tidal range 4.0–4.5m springs (English Channel tides — large neap/spring difference). Entry over the bar at Chichester Bar beacon: minimum depth 0.9m (CD), dries in some conditions — consult current almanac. Harbour dues charged by Chichester Harbour Conservancy.
Setting Your Anchor Alarm
60m radius for the Thorney Channel anchorage. With 4.0–4.5m tidal range at springs, actual depths at HW are 5–7.5m in the channel — ensure scope is sufficient. The mud holding is exceptional. The channel is narrow and tidal — a fore-and-aft arrangement or use of visitor moorings may be preferred to avoid swinging into the fairway on the ebb.
Recommended radius: 60m
Hazards & Warnings
- !Chichester Bar — dries in strong onshore conditions; minimum depth 0.9m (CD); approach only near HW in swell; consult current almanac for exact bar depth
- !Very busy harbour with hundreds of moored boats — navigate slowly and carefully
- !Tidal range 4.0–4.5m springs — significant; all drying areas must be tracked; check tide tables before entering subsidiary channels
- !Bosham channel dries completely at LW — do not anchor here unless certain you can re-float before the tide falls
- !MOD bombing range to the SE of the harbour entrance — check Admiralty Notices to Mariners for range activity
Skipper's Tips
- ✓Enter at half-flood on a rising tide — this gives adequate water over the bar while ensuring you do not arrive in the harbour before the anchorage areas have sufficient depth
- ✓Thorney Island (MOD land) forms the east side of the harbour — the southern beaches can be visited by dinghy; beautiful and often deserted
- ✓Bosham village at HW is one of the most picturesque harbours in England — high tide picnics on the quay are a Chichester Harbour tradition
- ✓East Head dune spit at the harbour entrance is managed by the National Trust — excellent walking and birdwatching
Facilities
Anchoring Rules
- Permit:
- Not required
- Fee:
- Harbour dues charged: approx. £12–18/night (2025). Chichester Harbour Conservancy patrol boats collect dues. Visitor moorings available in most channels.
- Restrictions:
- Speed limit 8 knots in the harbour. Anchor only in designated areas — not in channels or near mooring fields. Harbour Conservancy by-laws apply. No anchoring on seagrass beds (marked areas in Chichester and Emsworth channels). Wildlife sensitive area — no disturbance of nesting birds.
Sleep Safely at Chichester Harbour
Set your anchor alarm to 60m. UK tidal ranges mean your boat swings — Safe Anchor Alarm keeps watch through the night.
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