Approaches
Most of Bembridge Harbour and the outlying sands dry almost completely, any approach is dependent on having sufficient height of tide. At Springs and medium tides RIBs can usually enter from 3 hours before to 2 hours after HW, although for a first visit it is advisable arriving on the flood. At Neap tides there is often no more than 1.5m in parts of the channel, even at HW.
Anchorages, moorings and berthing
Once through the narrows Bembridge harbour opens out into a broad, mile long basin to the South and West. At HW, most of the available water is taken up with moorings, nearly all of which dry at LW.
For this reason anchoring is prohibited throughout the harbour except in the South Eastern corner where RIBs can anchor and dry out on the clean sandy beach opposite the Harbour Office and Bembridge Sailing Club. This berth has the main advantage of being closest to the beach and from here Bembridge Village is just over a half mile walk away, although mostly uphill. There is an overnight charge of around £5 irrespective of size.
However, most visitors tend to use the Harbour Authority's facilities, either the pontoon in the middle of the harbour or Bembridge Marina, which has visitors' berths on its two Easternmost pontoons. In both cases RIBs can be accommodated alongside and although there will be little more than 1.0m LAT, so raise your propeller. If fitted with VHF on arrival call the Harbour Master on VHF Ch 80 during normal working hours, call sign 'BHL', to request a berth in the marina or on the pontoon, otherwise proceed alongside.
Things to do
The Shipwreck and Maritime Museum in Bembridge contains many fascinating artefacts such as a 67 year old jar of rum, which have been recovered from numerous ship wrecks, including that of the U81, a German submarine which was sunk off the Island in 1917. The museum also includes exhibits on HMS Swordfish which sank after hitting a mine near St. Catherine's Point in 1940. Other exhibits include a collection of ship models and a display of Siebe Gorman "Standard" or "Hard-Hat" diving equipment.
The last remaining windmill on the Island can be found just outside Bembridge. The windmill, which dates from 1700 has undergone extensive restoration and is managed by the National Trust. The windmill contains a complete set of wooden machinery and gearing, much of which is original. The RNLI Station at Lane End operates both offshore and inshore lifeboats. The station is usually open to the public for free guided tours during the summer months.
The Bembridge Trail takes the walker on a fifteen mile walk from Newport to Bembridge Windmill through the southern part of the Chalk Downs. A five mile coastal walk from Bembridge to Sandown via Bembridge Down and Culver Cliffs allows walkers to enjoy some of the finest views on the Island.