Set at the mouth of the River Hamble, Hamble Point Marina occupies a truly special position within one of the UK’s most celebrated boating destinations.
Often regarded as the spiritual home of British yachting, the River Hamble has been home to yacht and boat building for centuries. Today, Hamble Point Marina sits at the heart of this iconic stretch of water, alongside its sister sites Port Hamble Marina and Mercury Yacht Harbour.
With the Solent accessible within minutes, Hamble Point has long been a launchpad for sailors, powerboaters and adventurers alike. Recent investment of over £1.2 million has further enhanced the marina, with a brand-new customer hub, upgraded facilities and ongoing improvements ensuring it continues to deliver a premium yet accessible experience.
Hamble Point Marina is not just somewhere to berth – it is where journeys start, shaped by heritage, community and a real way of life.
FACILITIES & BERTHING
Positioned at the entrance to the River Hamble, Hamble Point Marina enjoys a standout location. It offers fast, direct access to the Solent and the Isle of Wight, putting some of the UK’s best cruising waters right on your doorstep.
With deep-water access and well-maintained pontoons, the marina caters for a wide range of vessels, from smaller leisure craft to larger yachts.
Alongside its berthing, there is a strong mix of on-site marine services. With boat lifting, storage ashore and more than 50 specialist tenants, it is easy to arrange everything from engineering and refits to electrical work and sailmaking without leaving the marina.
A key feature is the dedicated dry stack facility for RIBs and motorboats up to 10m. With unlimited, on-demand launching seven days a week, it offers an easy way to enjoy boating. Turn up, head out and enjoy the water, without the usual upkeep or preparation.
Beyond the pontoons, the marina sits within one of the UK’s most established boating communities. The River Hamble always feels active with regattas, club racing and visiting yachts coming and going.
Ongoing investment means the marina continues to evolve with the needs of modern boaters. The redeveloped marina office now acts as a central hub, alongside a provisions store and upgraded washroom facilities.
Improvements across the site, including enhanced security, resurfaced roadways, improved parking and ongoing pontoon upgrades, help keep standards consistently high.
Facilities and services include:
24/7 access and security
Modern toilets and showers (including accessible and family facilities)
WiFi connectivity
Laundry facilities
On-site provisions
Dry stack storage with launch and recovery
Car parking
Boat lifting and handling services
Hamble Point Marina offers a premium berthing experience in a highly sought-after location, combining excellent facilities with outstanding access to some of the South Coast’s most desirable cruising grounds. Berth holders also benefit from the Otium rewards programme, adding further value for those looking to enjoy the marina or explore MDL’s network of 18 UK marinas.
ACCESS
By sea: Access to Hamble Point Marina is straightforward and well-charted. Enter via Southampton Water, proceeding into the River Hamble. The channel is clearly buoyed, though visitors should remain mindful of tidal flows and commercial traffic, particularly in busy periods. Approach is best made with standard caution, keeping to marked channels and observing harbour authority guidance. Berth holders and visitors are advised to contact the marina team on VHF channel 80 when approaching for berth allocation and assistance.
By land: Located just outside Southampton, the marina is easily accessible via the M27, with onward connections through Hamble village. Nearby rail links include Hamble station, with connections to Southampton and beyond, making access convenient for both local and visiting boaters.
CRUISING
One of Hamble Point Marina’s biggest draws is its immediate access to some of the UK’s most rewarding cruising waters. Sitting right at the mouth of the River Hamble, you are only minutes from the open Solent – making spontaneous day sails or last-minute trips an easy option.
For day cruising, the Solent offers huge variety within a relatively compact stretch of water. A short run takes you across to Cowes, world-renowned for its sailing scene, while the north coast of the Isle of Wight is dotted with anchorages and harbours. Favourites include Yarmouth Harbour for its relaxed feel and Beaulieu River on the mainland for a quieter, more scenic escape.
With a full weekend to explore, the cruising ground opens up even further. Destinations such as Poole Harbour – one of Europe’s largest natural harbours – and Chichester Harbour offer sheltered waters, picturesque villages and plenty of places to drop anchor. Heading west, the dramatic coastline of the Jurassic Coast brings a completely different feel, with striking cliffs and quieter anchorages.
For longer passages, the South Coast stretches in both directions, from the harbours of Devon and Cornwall to the brighter, busier coastline around Brighton and beyond.
Conditions in the Solent are shaped by strong tides and prevailing south-westerlies, so passage planning is key. For those who know the area – or are keen to learn – it is all part of the appeal, rewarding you with varied sailing, characterful harbours and an ever-changing coastline to explore.
OUT AND ABOUT
Ashore, Hamble Point Marina puts you within easy reach of the village of Hamble-le-Rice, long known for its maritime roots and easy-going coastal feel.
The area has deep connections to both aviation and boat building, and that heritage still shapes the character of the river and its surroundings today.
Eating out is a big part of the appeal here. At Hamble Point, the family-friendly Ketch Rigger bar and restaurant welcomes guests throughout the year.
At its sister marinas, Banana Wharf at Port Hamble offers waterside views alongside a more contemporary menu, while the popular Gaff Rigger is located at Mercury Yacht Harbour on the edge of the River Hamble.
Hamble-le-Rice is close by, with a great mix of waterside pubs, cafés and restaurants. In the village, you will find well-loved favourites such as The Bugle for relaxed pub dining and The King & Queen for a livelier atmosphere.
For a classic riverside setting, The Jolly Sailor, a little further upriver, remains a firm favourite. Nearby cafés and delis also provide easy options for breakfast or a laid-back lunch before heading out on the water.
Beyond the restaurants, the area is ideal for exploring at a slower pace, with scenic riverside walks, quiet creeks and cycling routes stretching along the River Hamble.
A short drive takes you into Southampton, where you will find a wider mix of restaurants, shopping and cultural spots, from theatres to galleries and waterfront developments.
With regular regattas and marina events bringing people together, there is a real sense of community at Hamble Point – making it feel as much like a way of life as a place to berth.
KEY BUSINESSES AT THE MARINA
Rib Shop – Solent specialists in RIB sales, servicing and refits, as well as outboard engines and tenders
Inspiration Marine Group – one of the UK’s leading yacht dealers, offering sales, brokerage, servicing and refit support
FlexiSail – a boat-share membership company giving access to a fleet of yachts, along with training and tuition
On-site yacht brokers and dealers – a strong mix of new and used boat sales, making Hamble Point a key buying and selling hub on the South Coast
Marine service centre tenants – over 50 specialist businesses covering engineering, electronics, rigging and maintenance all in one place
PERSONAL RECOMMENDATION
“The marina itself is relatively small in comparison to many in the locality and as such provides for a very friendly atmosphere amongst berth holders and staff alike. The marina provides a great on the water experience, the berths are very well maintained, sheltered and in the main tidal free. This aids for easy manoeuvring and, of course, the friendly and super helpful staff are always available to give a helping hand at all times of the day and night.
“In recent years there has been significant improvement to the facilities and, as they say, you always judge a marina by its facilities, well these are second to none, immaculate, well-laid out and with good accessibility.
“As always, I reserve my final judgement for the staff. Nothing is too much trouble, and everyone goes the extra mile with a welcoming smile on their face. In short, they are all a credit to MDL and the marine industry as a whole. Whether visiting or looking for a permanent berth Hamble Point offers a perfect all round package.”
Michael Wise QPM
FURTHER INFORMATION
Marina Manager: Dominic Brown
School Lane, Hamble, Southampton
Sat Nav: SO31 4NB | VHF Channel: 80
T: 023 8045 7110
E: hamblepoint@mdlmarinas.co.uk
W: www.hamblepointmarina.co.uk
