Newport and independent harbours
Overnight berthing and short stay visitor moorings are available on the Newport Harbour visitor pontoon and quay wall. Access to water, electricity and shore facilities are available following the successful dredging of the harbour.
Newport Harbour office will be open two hours either side of high water between 8am and 6pm. Email all communications to newport.harbour@iow.gov.uk or call us.
Harbour information
Newport Harbour is situated in the Island’s county town at the navigable head of the River Medina, some five miles south from the port of Cowes. It is primarily a leisure harbour, so users should be aware that there are still commercial shipping movements; these include 'Blade Runner'.
The main resident and visitor moorings within Newport Harbour are a short walk from the centre of Newport which offers a broad range of shops, restaurants, and other facilities, including a cinema and public houses. The council-run leisure centre is also nearby. Public transport is readily available to other parts of the Isle of Wight, making Newport Harbour a great destination for the sailing family.
To reach Newport Harbour from Cowes, proceed down the Medina River. Shallow points are marked by red buoys on the port side and green buoys on the starboard. On the east bank, the approach to Newport Harbour is identified by large white beacons with pairs of horizontal red lights showing at night. When lined up, these beacons bear a course of 192º T and show the approach channel to the harbour.
Users should be aware that the majority of the harbour dries out at low water. High water, Spring tides give an average of 2.5m depth in the approach channel and at the visitors’ pontoons, but this may increase depending on weather conditions. The Neap high tide depth is 1.8m. It is advised that fin-keeled boats should lie against the quay walls south of the visitors’ pontoons.
View the Annual Harbour Report (PDF, 629KB, 13 pages) .
Harbour facilities
Facilities for visitor and resident berth holders at Newport Harbour include:
- water and electricity on the pontoons
- waste facilities
- showers and toilets
- two public slipways.
Boat repairs, gas and dry storage for approximately 50 boats are available from Odessa Marine boatyard situated on the west bank at Little London.
If you are considering eating out in Newport, you are spoiled for choice. You can enjoy fine dining, pub grub, afternoon tea, fish and chips, doorstep sandwiches, modern bistro creations, pizzerias, and vegan cuisine. Your crew may appreciate there is a vibrant nightlife to sample with late night hours even during midweek. You can also purchase the Isle of Wight’s signature local produce including gin, garlic, cheese, tomatoes, and more; perfect for a picnic, a gift or for a taste of the Island at home.
Open port
Newport Harbour has a statutory duty to maintain an ‘Open Port Policy’ for freedom of navigation and public use. Commercial shipping will continue to operate as usual. The harbour will remain open to any vessel that needs to transit the harbour or access a berth.
Folly visitor pontoon
The Folly is located at the northern end of Newport Harbour's jurisdiction and borders Cowes Harbour; vehicular access is via Folly Lane. Visit our Folly moorings page for more information.
Water taxis
Overnight berthing and short stays are welcome, the water taxi service is running. For more information about water taxis, contact Folly Ventures. Email follymooring@hotmail.com or call 07884 400046.
Newport Harbour General Directions 2023
To assist in the management of Newport Harbour, in accordance with the Port Marine Safety Code, we (as statutory harbour authority) have been granted the power to give general directions under the Newport (Isle of Wight) Harbour Revision Order 2021.
In accordance with the Port Marine Safety Code, we conducted a review of our current powers to manage activities within Newport Harbour and this concluded that a comprehensive set of General Directions should be adopted.
Consultation was undertaken on the proposed introduction of new general directions (PDF, 812KB) in accordance with article 5 of the Newport (Isle of Wight) Harbour Revision Order 2021.
Printed copies are available from the Newport Harbour Office.
Newport Harbour additional information
This information provides Newport harbour and the surrounding areas with:
- Consented overflows information (shows licensed discharges within 3km of PO30 1UD)
- Safety Management Plan 2023
- Emergency Plan (PDF, 1MB, 24 pages)
- Navigation Risk Assessment (PDF,1.8MB, 53 pages)
- 2023 Charges
- Harbour board terms of reference (PDF, 14.2KB, 3 pages)
- Harbour user group terms of reference (PDF, 9.5KB, 2 pages)
- Tide information Cowes Harbour (to be used with Newport Tidal Curve)
- Incident Reporting form (PDF, 153KB, 13 pages)
- Terms and conditions (PDF, 29.9KB, 3 pages)
- Newport and Folly tidal curve (PDF, 452KB, 1 page)
- Harbour revision order (HRO) (1988) (PDF, 4.4MB, 15 pages)
- Newport Harbour Estate (PDF, 802KB, 1 page) The plan shows the building and land which is classified as harbour estate as agreed by Cabinet in December 2011. The plan is for illustrative purposes only
- Medina Estuary Environment Agency Briefing (PDF, 530KB, 3 pages)
- Post Dredge Survey Aug 2020 (PDF, 294KB, 1 page)
Newport Harbour map referred to in HRO (1988)
The plans below are reproduced form the 1988 HRO and are for illustrative purposes only. Whilst they show the extent of the harbours jurisdiction they do not show either the extent of navigable waters or the land based harbour estate. Copies of the HRO and the plans can be viewed at the harbour office.