find your sea legs
Surrounded by water, the Isle of Wight is the ideal destination for sailing enthusiasts, with a jam-packed annual yachting calendar including Cowes Week, Round the Island Race, Cowes Classics Week, British Classics Week, Royal Ocean Racing Club racing and local regattas a plenty.
Seasoned sailors looking for a challenge can enjoy complex tidal systems and gusty winds, with passage onward to the English Channel and Irish Sea. Those looking for a more leisurely yachting experience can enjoy the calm waters and gentle breeze of the Island’s rivers, estuaries and bays – perhaps with a glass of wine on the deck, or a dip in the sea at anchor. While rookies looking to take to the water for the first time can book in with various sailing schools and learn the ropes under the watchful eye of qualified instructors.
For those less interested in getting their feet wet, there is the opportunity to take a boat trip around the iconic Needles landmark or take a stroll around the sailing towns and villages of Cowes, Yarmouth, Seaview and Bembridge where you’ll find beautiful sea views, pretty harbours, independent shops and plenty of great places to grab drink and a bite.
key sailing events
cowes week
Every year since 1826, thousands of competitors descend on Cowes for this week long regatta. From professional crews to families having fun, Cowes Week is an inclusive event open to all. Competitors and spectators can enjoy an exciting daily racing programme for yachts of all shapes and size, as well as a lively entertainment shoreside throughout the week. Cowes Parade and Green are great spot to catch the action from the shore, and the daily Royal Yacht Squadron start canons are not to be missed.
Round the Island Race
This annual one day sailing race covers 50 nautical miles around the Isle of Wight. Over 1000 boats flock to the Cowes start line each year, a spectacle not to be missed shoreside across the Island. The fleet head west towards the chop and shipwrecks of The Needles Lighthouse and round the back of the Island to the most southerly point at St Catherine’s Lighthouse in Niton, onwards through the sheltered bays of Shanklin and Sandown to the most easterly point at Bembridge, before heading north towards Osborne Bay and the finish line.
Cowes Classics Week
A classics regatta for traditional sailing boats, Cowes Classics Week brings an abundance of beautifully polished woodwork and bunting to the town – an elegant display of classic yachts all in one place. Expect to see 8 metre yachts, day boats, Spirit yachts, Old Gaffers and more, with professional crews and classics enthusiasts putting their metal to the test around daily courses in the Solent. Cowes Classics Day take place during regatta, offering a display of classic yachts, cars and air displays.
Try Sailing
Salty Sailing
Based in Shephard’s Marina Cowes, Salty Sailing offers both yachting and powerboat training weekends and courses, as well as yacht master and RYA theory courses to complete your sailing qualifications and knowledge.
uksa
A maritime youth charity, UKSA are a training centre of excellence in East Cowes supporting children and young people through their water-based adventures. From Laser Pico dinghies up to a 65ft Farr yacht, UKSA offer a range of sailing courses and experiences on the Solent.
Tackt-Isle Adventures
Whether you’re just getting started or are looking for a refresher, the experienced team at Tackt-Isle are ready to show you the dinghy sailing ropes. Choose from group ‘muck in’ sessions, beginner lessons or 1:1 tuition in Bembridge.
Island Boat Trips & Charters
Needles Pleasure Cruises
Climb aboard the pleasure boat at Alum Bay for a close-up view of the Needles Rocks and Lighthouse, with spectacular panoramic views of the sparkling sea and famous Alum Bay Cliffs – a more leisurely experience. Or feel the wind in your hair and the spray of the sea with a speedy RIB ride around the iconic landmark.
Cachalot Charters
Head out from Bembridge Harbour aboard the 34ft ‘Robert Mark’ for an angling experience. With seating up to 12 people, opt for a 2-hour mackerel trip or for up to 8 hours deep sea fishing. Under the guidance of husband-and-wife team Chris and Priscilla and their son Adam, book in for a beginner experience or a more specialist trip – all bait, rods and tackle provided.
isle of wight charters
Set sail for an unforgettable on the water experience aboard the ‘Crystal Spray’, an 11.2m cruiser built by Island boat builders Cheetah Marine. Choose from a “Go West” cruise exploring the winding rivers and coastline of the west Wight, an Eastern Solent Tour with views of Norris Castle, Osborne House and rolling woodland or a sunset cruise under beautiful orange skies as the sun disappears behind The Needles.
sailing towns to visit
Cowes
A charming town on the north of the Island, Cowes offers a bustling highstreet lined with independent shops, restaurants, cafes, traditional pubs and waterfront views
Yarmouth
Explore the historic harbour town of Yarmouth, with its busy harbour and pretty estuary, welcoming pubs, independent shops and waterfront restaurants.
Bembridge
A picturesque village characterised by coastal cottages and its proximity to the sea, Bembridge is known for it’s pretty harbour, state of the art lifeboat station and fresh seafood.
seaview
A quintessential sailing village with its own fleet of ‘Seaview Mermaids’. These classic one-design keel boats have raced on the Solent from Seaview Yacht Club and at Cowes Week for other a century.
VISITOR BERTHS
Yarmouth Harbour | yarmouth-harbour.co.uk
Shepards Marina | cowes.co.uk
East Cowes Marina | boatfolk.co.uk/east-cowes-marina
Bembridge Harbour | bembridgeharbour.co.uk
Cowes Yacht Haven | cowesyachthaven.com
Folly Moorings | iow.gov.uk