SolentRIBster.com

Solent Locations

The Solent and Isle of Wight has many beautiful locations, with many harbours, marinas, rivers, creeks and beaches to explore by RIB, including Cowes, Bembridge, Yarmouth Harbour, Lymington, Beaulieu River, Wootton Creek, Newtown River, Ashlett Creek, Hamble River and Keyhaven. There are also some stunning beaches, including Priory Bay, Colwell Bay, Alum Bay, Scrathells Bay, Luccombe Bay and Freshwater Bay.

Just outside of the Solent are other great cruise locations, including Christchurch, Poole and Lulworth Cove.

Finally, there is always The Needles, which always remains a treat. There are locations guides to all these locations and more.

Please click on the pins on the map below to see more information on the particular location and access the detailed location guide.

Cowes Best known as the world's premier yachting centre, Cowes is the Island's main port with a natural harbour at the mouth of the Medina River. Yachtsmen from all over the world participate in the season's prestigious sailing events, of which the best known is Cowes Week, held annually at the beginning of August. For ten days the whole town is completely transformed. More

Alum Bay

Alum Bay lies to the East of the treacherous Needles Rocks. The bay forms the first area sheltered from South Westerly winds once past The Needles and into the Western Solent. Alum Bay is a great place to visit by RIB with its gently shelving sandy beach. More

Colwell Bay

Colwell Bay is situated on the western end of the Isle of Wight, opposite Hurst Castle. There is a nice little cafe (with toilets) located on the walkway that runs along the coast. There is a pleasant walk around to Totland. The beach is golden sand and gently shelving. More

Scrathells Bay

Scratchells Bay is the first bay South East of The Needles. The high chalk cliff provides a stunning back drop and the trip around the Needles is always a pleasure in fine weather! More

Priory Bay

Priory Bay is just north of Bembridge on the NE of the Isle of Wight. It provides a beautiful location for a lazy summer's day. The beach is perfect for swimming and the water is often warmer than you might think due to the gently shelving sand. More

Newtown River

Newtown River is located on the northern coast of the Isle of Wight between the Medina and the Western Yar and forms an integral part of the Solent's estuarine system. It is a National Nature Reserve and supports nationally important and threatened wildlife. More

Wootton Creek

Wootton Creek is situated on the North of the Isle of Wight, just five miles east of Cowes. Wootton Creek is a very popular haunt for leisure yachtsmen and RIBsters, with several creekside businesses supporting a variety of maritime activities. The Royal Victoria Yacht Club (RVYC) has a pontoon and serves good food. They have always welcomed visitors. More

Luccombe Bay Luccombe Bay is situated between Ventnor and Shanklin on the Isle of Wight. It is a lovely sandy bay, with limited access from the high cliff above. There are numerous rocks to watch out for, but you should be able to plot a course in. It is ideal for swimming and BBQs. It is usually quiet. More

Yarmouth Harbour

Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight, is a picturesque fishing, ferry and yachting port widely regarded as one of the jewels of the South Coast. The deepwater harbour retains its old world aura while visiting yachtsmen will find a range of amenities which are very much up to date and accepted as being among the best in the South. More

Keyhaven

Keyhaven is a beautiful marsh land. Time has stood still for many years, with the tranquility of the past preserved. You can moor on the quay. For lunch, The Gun is a good local pub. More

Bembridge

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 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. More

Beaulieu River Beaulieu River is very unspoilt and tranquil. There is a great pub and beautiful walks. More

Freshwater Bay

Freshwater Bay is a small cove on the south coast of the Isle of Wight, which also gives its name to the nearby part of the village of Freshwater. Freshwater Bay is attractively fringed with chalk cliffs with some impressive stacks on its eastern side. More

Lymington A beautiful, Georgian market town, Lymington (population 14,330) is situated on the southern edge of the New Forest, between Southampton and Bournemouth and at the western end of the Solent. More

Ashlett Creek is nestled between the power station and the refinery on the west side of Southampton Water, but still manages to retain this sense of history. The key attraction is the Jolly Sailor public house. More

Christchurch

Christchurch is one of those gifts to RIBsters. This delightful tidal estuary, which nestles behind Hengistbury Head is of very restricted access. This problem is further compounded by the 'Run', which is a very narrow entrance that is enough to put many off at the first attempt, particularly when you hear tales of the fierce tides within it that can reach 9 knots on a big Spring ebb. More

Poole Harbour

Poole Harbour is an enchanting place to visit by RIB, with many tranquil anchorages and places to visit. More

Lulworth Cove

Lulworth Cove is a victim of its own reputation. It is a remarkable, almost enclosed circular cove, surrounded by high cliffs and entered through a narrow gap, its well known attraction as a spectacular anchorage means that when conditions permit there are usually many others visitors anxious to try it too. Its reputation as a beauty spot ensures plenty of visitors by car during the summer, and the overcrowding both afloat and ashore can often be detrimental to its enjoyment. More