Visiting Cowes by yacht

When to come, Cowes Week, where yachts anchor and how to get around the harbour.

Picture made with AI. It shows the place but is not a photograph.

Seasons

When to come

Season	Months	Daily high	Monthly rain
Peak	June to September	20 to 23 °C	44 to 60 mm
Shoulder	April, May, October	15 to 18 °C	47 to 93 mm
Off season	November to March	9 to 12 °C	56 to 100 mm

Met Office, Southampton Mayflower Park station, 1991 to 2020 averages. Season bands are our own estimate.

Events

31 July to 6 August 2027

Cowes Week regatta, with dates from the organiser.

At anchor

Where yachts anchor

Cowes Roads

A sheltered anchorage with ample swinging room and a short tender run to Trinity Landing. Seabed is sand and shingle with moderate holding. Tides reach 3.5 knots on a spring ebb.

C1 anchorage

For vessels under 150 m. It lies 1.15 cables southeast of the Prince Consort buoy. Keep 150 m from the Trinity House mooring buoy.

C2 anchorage

For vessels under 75 m, in fair weather. It lies 0.17 nautical miles northwest of the Shrape Beacon.

Western Solent and St Helen's Roads

For vessels of 61 m and above. Arrive from the west near the Saltmead buoy or from the east at St Helen's Roads.

Cowes Harbour Commission anchorage notes. Check the current harbour rules before you anchor.

Ashore

Tender passengers land at The Parade, next to Cowes Castle, home of the Royal Yacht Squadron. Osborne House, the holiday home of Queen Victoria, is in East Cowes.

Getting around

The harbour water taxi charges GBP 3 for one zone and GBP 6 for four. Book on 07855 767918. Southern Vectis bus Route 1 serves Cowes town centre and runs close to Shepards Marina. Cowes Taxis: 01983 294444.

To the mainland

The Red Jet ferry runs from Cowes and reaches the mainland in under half an hour, according to Shepards Marina.

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