Kayaking can be a very dangerous hobby. All trips listed are as a guide only and may need to be reduced according to weather conditions. If you have any doubts on your ability or health take the safest option! Conditions change greatly due to bad weather and P&DCC accept no responsibilty for errors in the following information. No right of access is guaranteed unless specifically indicated, if in doubt checks should be made prior to carrying out any intended trip.
For questions on anything that should be added to this page please let me know.
Trips are based on High Water Portsmouth, UK. This is a standard Port for the area. Find the High Water Time for Portsmouth and the rest should just fall into place.
Trips that can be started at 6.0 Hours Before High Water Portsmouth
| Trip | Distance (NM) | Star Grade | Notes | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastney - Selsey Bill | 20 | 3 - 4 | Keep well out at Chichester Harbour entrance, due to the sand bar. Lunch can be a little exposed. Do NOT attempt if heavy SOUTHERLY winds. | |||||||||||||||||||||
Goodwick (Fishguard) Newport. HW Dover One way trip allowing those with a drive to have cars at end point and get off home early .. |
7.75 | 3 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Keyhaven - Cowes | 20 | 3 | Starting at Low Water! Very few large ships but plenty of sailors about! | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Putney - Greenwich | 30 | 3 | Lunch at Greenwich can be a little muddy. Wait for the tide to turn for at least 30 minutes else you will overtake the tide. Shipping in the main area of London is contolled by the Port of London Authority. Keep to the RIGHT of the river in the areas between Wapping and Chelsea. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Stokes Bay - Selsey | 30 | 3 | DO not attempt if it is windy from the South! Involves crossing several ferries routes and shipping lanes. Selsey is exposed from the South and it is just a shingle beach when you get there. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Stokes Bay - Whitecliff | 16 | 3 | Great in the summer. Follow the main shipping lane East. The tide at Bembridge will turn soon after you arrive so do not hang about too long. No loos at the lunch stop, sorry. |
Trips that can be started at 5.5 Hours Before High Water Portsmouth
| Trip | Distance (NM) | Star Grade | Notes |
| Lymington - Fishbourne | 28 | 3 | Starting from just in front of the RNLI station at Fishbourne, watch for
the I.o.W. ferries from the left. Follow the main channel out of Lymington then head
North-East towards Cowes. Not much shipping this side of Cowes but keep your
eyes open for yachts. Once you get towards Cowes you must have got over towards the
Island. Keep close to Egypt Point (can stop here for loos if you wish). There
are large car ferries and a high speed ferry that runs to Southampton so watch for them.
Cross from West to East Cowes and then head on a bearing of about 120. Once
you see car ferries in the distance you know you are getting close. Those car
ferries land at Fishbourne, so follow them in, stay West of the shipping channel. Lunch can be had adjacent to the ferries (on the Eastern shore) or you can follow the tide in and have lunch at the end of Wooton Creek. The return run is just a reverse of the way in, but Lymington can be a little difficult to see from this angle. You will see the Car ferry again before you see the opening to the river! |
| Stokes Bay - Bembridge | 12 | 3 | A simple run but crossing over the shipping lanes of the Portsmouth -
Fishbourne car ferry, Portsmouth-Cowes Hovercraft AND Catamaran. It also includes
crossing the deep water channel that craft to Southampton use, so extreme care has to
taken. From Stokes Bay the first target is No Man's Land fort (it will be almost
ahead of you). Pass with this fort on your left and you will have just left the deep
water channel. Continue on that bearing and slightly right you will see St Helen's
fort. You can either head straight for the beach on the West of Bembridge, the beach
to East OR go straight into the harbour entrance and land on the sand! Allow the tide to start heading home and follow the reverse route back. Aim to get close to Gilkicker Point (do not forget the traffic!). Once past the point you will soon be swept along the bay to the start/end point. Do not forget it is a bay so the land moves away from you. |
Trips that can be started at 5.0 Hours Before High Water Portsmouth
| Trip | Distance (NM) | Star Grade | Notes |
| Sally Port - Bembridge | 12 | 3 | |
| Sandy Point - Wittering | 6 | 2 | |
| Putney - Tower Bridge | 15 | 3 |
Trips that can be started at 4.5 Hours Before High Water Portsmouth
| Trip | Distance (NM) | Star Grade | Notes |
| Keyhaven - Newtown | 13 | 3 | |
| Sally Port - Curbridge | 20/40 | 3 |
Trips that can be started at 4.0 Hours Before High Water Portsmouth
| Trip | Distance (NM) | Star Grade | Notes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hamble - from Calshot | 11 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lee on Solent - Ryde | 8 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lymington - Cowes | 18 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Porth Clais - Ramsey Sound (Pembrokeshire). HW Dover The crossing to Ramsey Island will involve a ferry glide across the tide. This will just be coming off its fastest flow. Round Ramsey Island West side. Plenty of time allowed to rockhop and maybe find seals? |
12 | 3 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Round Pompey & Hayling (anti) | 19 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sally Port - Forts in Solent | 13 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sally Port - Seaview | 9 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sally Port - Selsey Bill | 26 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stokes Bay - Curbridge | 13/26 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stokes Bay - Fishbourne | 8 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stokes Bay - Southsea | 8 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Woolston - Woodmill | 7 | 2 |
Trips that can be started at 3.0 Hours Before High Water Portsmouth
| Trip | Distance (NM) | Star Grade | Notes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dale - Jack Sound (Pembrokeshire) Sandy Start area, following the coastline. Tides based on Dover HW! |
15 | 3 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastney - Round Hayling | 12 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Itchen River | 6 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lepe - Beaulieu | 9 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lepe - Cowes | 6 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lepe - Newport | 13 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Poole - Wareham | 12 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sailing Centre - Portchester | 7 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sally Port - Round Portsea Island | 12 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sally Port - Ryde | 8 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sandy Point - Selsey | 13 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stokes Bay - Netley | 18 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stokes Bay - Ryde | 8 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stokes Bay - Sailing Centre | 14 | 3 |
Trips that can be started at 2.5 Hours Before High Water Portsmouth
| Trip | Distance (NM) | Star Grade | Notes |
| Hamble - from Warsash | 8 | 2 | |
| Langstone Bridge-Bosham | 14 | 3 | |
| Lymington - Newtown | 10 | 3 | |
| Sally Port - Fareham | 8 | 2 | |
| Sandy Point - Bosham-Chichester | 15 | 3 | |
| Sandy Point - Dell Quay/Fishbourne | 12 | 3 |
Trips that can be started at 2.0 Hours Before High Water Portsmouth
| Trip | Distance (NM) | Star Grade | Notes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hamble - from Itchen Bridge | 8 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hamble - Marchwood | 13 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hillhead - Ashlett Creek | 8 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hilsea Lido - Portchester | 5 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Itchen Bridge - Ealing | 14 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Round Portsea Island (Anti-clockwise) from Eastney | 12 | 3 | Paddling north in Langstone follow the Red bouys to Kendalls Quay. Do not be tempted to go close to shore as you will be caught in a back eddy! Once under the Eastern Road bridge follow Hilsea Creek. You will have the A27 on your right, sorry about the road noise. At Hilsea you will easily get under the two bridges that make the large roundabout. You can have lunch at the slipway on the right if you wish just AFTER the second bridge. Now heading South you will come under the M275 and keep the land on your left. Just after the bridge are usually a few submarines and other craft that are being slowly broken down. The next headland marks the beginning of Tipner Firing range! If you see flags flying do not hang about at the end. Once past the main "target area" you can either take the left 'channel' and pass inland of Whale Island/HMS Excellent. If you have not stopped yet it might be worthwhile to do so at the mainland side of the small road bridge. Once back on the water stay close to the right hand side, so avoiding the continental ferries. There will be some small poles at the very end of the island. This is where you would be if you did not come inland of the Island. This is now a tricky area! Watch for all shipping movements from the ferry-port on your left and other craft to your right. WHEN it is clear cross to the corner of the dockyard. You cannot land at any part of the dockyard! Keep a reasonable distance from the Navy ships and follow the ships/land South. STOP at the last ship and you will see HMS Warrior on your left. Check for the green and white Gosport Ferry (right & left), the yellow and white FastCat Isle of White passenger ferries (berthing to left and enters the harbour ahead) and also keep an eye out for the blue and white WhiteLink car ferries. When all clear cross to the pontoon 50 metres ahead. At the southern end check again for Car and Passenger ferries, the car ferry stops just to left of where you are now. When clear cross swiftly to the Still & West pub. There is a shingle beach here you can land if wishing to use the toilet facilities. Keep close to left (watch out for fishermen) as you leave the harbour. It can sometimes be lumpy at the Round Tower. Once past the Green Wooden pole keep about 50 metres left of the green channel marker bouys to maximize the tidal push. As you close on Southsea Castle begin to tuck close to land. It is possible to go under South Parade Pier but watch for fishing lines above and occasional swells. Once under the Pier check the water direction at the submarine barrier ahead and it might be worth getting close to shore. Follow the coast until you arrive at Eastney. If you are on the third or fourth hour since HW it will be a struggle to get around the tall pier, stay as close to shore as you can. It may even be better to land just before the pier and portage around it the few feet. Again once back on the water stay close to shore. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Round Portsea Island & Hayling Island (clock) from Sally Port | 19 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Round the Isle of Wight. This option is on Neap tides so the tidal assistance is much less. So is any flow against. |
52 | 3 - 4 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sailing Centre - Langstone Hbr | 7 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stamshaw - Portsmouth Harbour | 5 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Trips that can be started at 1.5 Hours Before High Water Portsmouth
| Trip | Distance (NM) | Star Grade | Notes |
| Eastney - Langstone | 7 | 2 | |
| Netley - Ealing | 10 | 3 | |
| Sailing Centre - Emsworth | 10 | 3 | |
| Sally Port - Portchester | 6 | 2 | |
| Warsash - Ashlett Creek | 2 |
Trips that can be started at 0.5 Hours Before High Water Portsmouth
| Trip | Distance (NM) | Star Grade | Notes |
| Itchen Bridge - Calshot | 14 | 2 | |
| Keyhaven - Yarmouth | 9 | 3 | |
| Portchester - Fareham Loos at the start/end point and the parking is free! |
6 | 2 | A nice gentle trip. Main hazards are fishermen at the start.
If it is strong southerly you will find quite a chop on the water. You can follow
the coast on your right and you will arrive at Fareham. In the creek to Fareham you
will find a slipway on your left as the river bends tight right. You can carry on
further and follow the river under the A27/A31 junction. Just past all these bridges
is a small area where landing is simple for lunch, but no toilets. There is even a
benchseat just above. The return is a simple return of the way in. |
| Swanage - Kimmeridge | 18 | 3 |
Trips that can be started at High Water Portsmouth
| Trip | Distance (NM) | Star Grade | Notes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastney - Fishbourne | 15 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastney - Ryde | 12 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastney - Sally Port | 8 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Round the Isle of Wight A 3 day trip with a reasonable degree of difficulty. If the weather is force 4 or more Southerly do not even attempt. Ideal wind force 2 Westerly. Work on spring tide to make the distances. |
51 (3 day camp!) |
3 - 4 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sally Port - Eastney | 8 | 2 | Sounds simple. Watch for wash from ferries and eddies at the start
point. The shore can be home to many fishermen so watch for their lines! Just
after the funfair is the landing point for the Hovercraft from Ryde. Look right in
the direction of the church at Ryde to see if it is on its way. Once past the
terminal you can stay close to the sea wall if it is not too choppy. Be careful of
the rocks at Southsea Castle. Once past the Castle you can either go around or under
the peir. Watch out for the stantions if you go under and either route must watch
for fishermen! Follow the coast, you may find naturists as you close on Eastney so
be careful to avert your eyes. You can paddle right into the harbour entrance at
this state of tide. There is a slight tide against but nothing to difficult. Lunch can be at either side of the entrance, there are toilets and a pub on the Hayling Island side. The return run is identical but as you close on Sally Port stay close into shore so you do not feel the effects of the outgoing tide too much from Portsmouth Harbour. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Trips that can be started at 0.5 Hours after High Water Portsmouth
| Trip | Distance (NM) | Star Grade | Notes | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Whitesands Bay - Solva HW Dover.One way journey taking in coastline from Whitesands (as previous day) and following coast to Solva (possible lunch on Solva isle of at the quay). | 8.5 | 3 |
|
Trips that can be started at 1.0 Hours after High Water Portsmouth
| Trip | Distance (NM) | Star Grade | Notes | ||||||||||||||||||
| Kimmeridge - Durdle Door | 10 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Lepe - Freshwater | 30 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Sally Port - Cowes | 18 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Sally Port - Stokes Bay | 7 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Tenby - Caldey Island (Pembrokeshire) Tides based on Dover |
6.5 | 3 | A great paddle but the island is owned by Cistercian Monks.
Permission must be granted by them before you land. No landing Saturday and Sunday.
|
Trips that can be started at 1.5 Hours after High Water Portsmouth
| Trip | Distance (NM) | Star Grade | Notes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stokes Bay - Newtown | 26 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Whitesands Bay - Ramsey Island. HW Dover ! | 7.5 | 3 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Trips that can be started at 2.0 Hours after High Water Portsmouth
| Trip | Distance (NM) | Star Grade | Notes |
| Hillhead - Beaulieu River | 13 | 3 | |
| Stokes Bay - Calshot/Warsash | 16 | 3 | |
| Stokes Bay - Lepe | 14 | 3 |
Trips that can be started at 2.5 Hours after High Water Portsmouth
| Trip | Distance (NM) | Star Grade | Notes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lymington- Yarmouth / Needles | 7 / 13 | 3 | In one trip you recommend, you suggest taking lunch at the Skokholm part of the trip "at North Haven or the quay shown on the chart" I would be very grateful if you could include the information that landing on Skokholm , that it is a private nature reserve, and that the habitat is very frail and the nesting seabirds very prone to disturbance so the cliffs should not be approached too closely from the sea. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Skomer Island from Martins Haven. HW Dover.Head from ferry, to North of Skomer Island. 2.5Nm crossing from Skomer to Skokholm Island. Around Skokholm then back to start, via Jack Sound (possibly lumpy). | 7 / 13 | 3 |
Note: Landing on Skokholm is not allowed in any circumstances, except for approved visitors arranged with the warden. It is a private nature reserve, the habitat is very frail and the nesting seabirds are very prone to disturbance so the cliffs should not be approached too closely from the sea. |
Trips that can be started at 3.0 Hours after High Water Portsmouth
| Trip | Distance (NM) | Star Grade | Notes | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Hamble - Cowes | 8 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lepe - Newtown | 12 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Little Haven - St Brides Haven (Pembrokeshire) HW Dover Relaxed day follow the coast. Long lunch. Maybe a plod out to Stack Rocks on the way back, no chance of landing though there. |
7 | 3 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Stokes Bay - Cowes | 10 | 3 |
Trips that can be started at 3.5 Hours after High Water Portsmouth
| Trip | Distance (NM) | Star Grade | Notes |
| Eastney - Sandown | 22 | 3 |
Trips that can be started at 4.0 Hours after High Water Portsmouth
| Trip | Distance (NM) | Star Grade | Notes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastney - Stokes Bay | 11 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hamble - Brambles Bank | 8 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Langstone Bridge - Eastney | 6 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Poole - Old Harry Rocks | 11 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| St. Brides Cross - Skomer. WARNING! Skomer is a National Trust Island, so landing is at a premium. Whenever we have tried to do it the weather has been Force 6 so maybe one day..... HW Dover | 11.75 | 3 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tenby - Coastal (Eastbound) HW Dover | 13 | 3 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Warsash - Hillhead | 7 | 2 |
Trips that can be started at 4.5 Hours after High Water Portsmouth
| Trip | Distance (NM) | Star Grade | Notes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Neyland (just east of Milford Haven) HW Dover An "inland" river trip, although the wind still seems to be always in our face! |
18 | 2 - 3 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sally Port - Fishbourne | 11 | 3 |
Trips that can be started at 5.0 Hours after High Water Portsmouth
| Trip | Distance (NM) | Star Grade | Notes |
| Sally Port - Felpham | 29 | 3 |
Trips that can be started at 5.5 Hours after High Water Portsmouth
| Trip | Distance (NM) | Star Grade | Notes |
| Eastney - Bracklesham | 12 | 3 |
Trips that can be started at 6.0 Hours after High Water Portsmouth
| Trip | Distance (NM) | Star Grade | Notes |
| Sandy Point - Felpham | 24 | 3 |
Trips that are not related to High Tide (i.e. Inland)
| Trip | Distance (NM) | Grade | Notes |
| Pewsey Wharf - Devizes | 2 - 3 | ||
| Thames from Marlow | 1 - 2 | ||
| Wye Valley Weekend | 2 -3 | Although listed as 2-3 there can be several smaller trips over the length
of the Wye. Ross On Wye - Monmouth about 20 miles in total. Lunch is nice just after Symonds Yat. Monmouth - Brockweir about 12 miles in total. |
To be checked!
28 Eastney - Shanklin
Lulworth - Swanage
Lyme Bay Weekend
Poole - Around harbour
69 Sally Port - Poole Week End camping over three nights.
20 Sally Port - Sandown
15 Selsey Bill - Nab Tower
60 Stokes Bay - Poole
6 Warsash - Calshot
Wittering - Bognor
Solent Swimmers from Stokes Bay -3