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Keyhaven
Your Comments: 6 Read or add your comments
Courtesy Flag
Flag, Red EnsignWaypoint
None GivenCharts
Admiralty 2021, 2035, SC5600Rules & Regulations
4 Knts Speed LimitHazards
Shallow Bar, Much Dries WithinTidal Data Times & Range
Double HW at Springs, Long Stand at Neaps, HW Springs (1st) -0555 Dover, HW Neaps +0010 Dover, MHWS 2.7m MHWN 2.3m MLWN 1.4m MLWS 0.7m Tide tables: (links)This site is designed for slower, roaming broadband connections, like you would get at sea, so it needs JavaScript enabled to expand the text.
Click here to show the fully expanded versionGeneral Description
A quick glance at the photo gallery and the chart will soon show you that Keyhaven is not really a place for big boats. On the other hand we have had favourable reports from members who have anchored at the entrance.
Even if you do get in on the tide, the only place available for anchoring is in a deep pool just within the entrance. It is exposed to easterlies and doesn't really give protection from the wind, furthermore there are anchoring charges.
Smaller shoal draft craft prepared to take the ground can work their way up to the quay for an overnight stay, or may be able to get a mooring buoy. ... read more
Approach
The entrance is not easy to identify, it lies about half a mile to the NNW of Hurst Point.
When approaching allowance should be made for a strong tidal cross stream, with the outgoing southward bound stream reaching 2.5 kn. Yachts drawing 1.5 m can normally enter and depart two hours either side of high water, shallower draft craft have a bigger window. There is a 4 kn speed limit within.
Pilotage details for entering Keyhaven are now given: ... read more
Berthing, Mooring & Anchoring
Quite sizeable boats can work their way up to Keyhaven Quay and the boatyard, but unless you have prearranged business, it is probably unwise to nose up here in a larger boat. Mind you, the boat in the video being taken up by Dillon is a Centaur which is 26' ... read more
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6 comments
Update March 2022
Written by Don Thomson 3 | 24th Mar 2022
I reviewed these notes in March 2022 and had a chat with Jim (who has replaced Pete) - everything is the same apart from the charges which I've adjusted.
Not an easy anchorage but worth it.
Written by Tyro Sailor | 12th Sep 2021
A pleasant spot and a fine place to stop when returning to the Solent from the west. The River Warden is friendly and helpful, offering a lift to the quay to replenish our drinking water containers for example.
The anchorage marked on the chart, just inside the bounding eastern spit, provides shelter from easterly seas but not the wind; in a westerly it's a lee shore. And if you're too close to the spit as we were obliged to be, the bottom is shingle rather than mud. I suspect the flat drying area in front of the castle might be better. There are a few visitors' moorings, and a vacant resident's one might be available. Tying up on the quay is discouraged.
The anchorage marked on the chart, just inside the bounding eastern spit, provides shelter from easterly seas but not the wind; in a westerly it's a lee shore. And if you're too close to the spit as we were obliged to be, the bottom is shingle rather than mud. I suspect the flat drying area in front of the castle might be better. There are a few visitors' moorings, and a vacant resident's one might be available. Tying up on the quay is discouraged.
further notes
Written by Conrad ryle | 23rd Apr 2018
Don't plan to get a berth alongside Keyhaven quay without explicit permission. This April, 2018 we went up by dinghy and found it hard to get a place to land let alone tie up for the night. The pub was warm and quirky though and the trip worthwhile. We anchored in the little bay just to port of the marked channel as you come round the spit and observed conditions through the course of a spring tide. The area to port immediately after rounding the spit has a level mud bottom that a bilge keeper could happily settle into for an hour or two either side of low water. A little further on there is deeper water, but a more uneven bottom, we draw just under a metre and stayed afloat throughout, but worrying about grounding at an uncomfortable angle! The anchorage is dramatic, with a historic castle, swirling tides, glimpses of the needles, dark night skies and excellent views of sunset and sunrise.
UPDATE SPRING 2018
Written by Don Thomson | 20th Mar 2018
I've reviewed this and updated prices. I've also uploaded a new chart which has been modified to show the buoyage in the pool at the entrance that we learnt of a few years ago.
Update April 2014
Written by dononshytalk | 3rd Apr 2014
These notes were revised in April 2014. There has been a new Nav buoy laid at the entrance to the channel which can be seen on a chart overlay in our gallery. As well as this they have utilised "Normans Bottom" (just off to starboard of the main channel opposite the anchorage inside the spit) for extra moorings and these can also be seen on that overlay. Prices have been adjusted to include VAT.
2 of 2 people found this helpful
Update January 2013
Written by dononshytalk | 11th Jan 2013
The harbour notes for Keyhaven were updated by Don T on the 11th Jaunary 2013. Since the previous notes were written two leading marks (unlit) have been added to guide one into the entrance of the channel and the channel around North Point may have been dredged. The only other change is to the charges made on visiting boats for the 2013 season
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