Whitegates Pontoon

Whitegates pontoon is operated by Cowes Harbour Master on the Medina river (5mins from the harbour entrance). £1.60 pm pn. No services. Variable depth along pontoon min c 1.5m. Friendly staff. Dinghy into Cowes and tie up for free next to Harbour master’s dock. Good protection E and W and some S but N is wide open to the sea. River is relatively quiet albeit you are surrounded by working boat yards. Choice of fuel berths down river. Cowes Harbour can accommodate most vessels, with the limitation generally being your draught, however, berths of up to 3m below chart datum can be found on the fairway side of the marina pontoons. If you wish to stay outside of a marina there are various cheaper alternatives, from swinging moorings in Cowes Roads with terrific views of the Solent, pontoons berths in the Whitegates area of the Medina Estuary, to peaceful moorings further up the River Medina conveniently close to the Folly Inn. The duty Berthing Master in Cowes Harbour is available on VHF Channel 69, call sign ‘HM1’ to advise on mooring availability. Marinas can be contacted directly on VHF Channel 80 and the Folly Berthing Master on VHF Channel 72.