Combining the old and the new… Newhaven Marina (originally Cresta Marine) was the first purpose-built marina in the country and has seen many changes since the first moorings back in 1963.
Nestled in the heart of the South Downs National Park, the marina operates alongside other users of the small but busy Newhaven Port. Ferries to Dieppe work side by side with the varied marina users, fishing fleet and ever-growing numbers of crews and coxes in the multiple Cornish Pilot Gig rowing clubs.
The marina itself is well positioned for day sailing, fishing in the vibrant Sussex waters or cruising locally, nationally and abroad.
Over the years the original berths and pontoons have suffered from the inevitable decline that is all too familiar to many boaters. The infrastructure has aged and deteriorated whilst siltation was causing access issues.
The owners have been in charge since 2018 and have been busy planning for the full modernisation and redevelopment of the site having secured planning consent for a site wide masterplan.
The first phase being the delivery of a modern, fully serviced walk ashore marina amounting to a significant £3 million pound investment. A new marina office and berth holder facilities building is due to come online later this summer.
SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT
Designs have evolved over the last few years in line with ever changing marine leisure markets and customer demands, and the marina is very proud that the all new state-of-the-art pontoons secured by steel tubular piles will be complemented by the latest marina services modules and all tide deep water access thanks to a major dredge operation over the last two winters. Newhaven now boasts water depth and associated access that some sites along this stretch of the coast can only dream of.
Works commenced in winter 2024 with the first phase of pontoon demolitions and dredging. In October 2025, the second phase of the marina dredging and demolitions took place, this time with new pontoons, piles and services being installed in the new deep-water areas. All of this took place with the hardiest of their berth holders remaining on site with all of the works going on around them!
The boat yard activity has remained operational throughout and through the provision of a relocation later in the works, will remain in service.
The marina entered the final phase of works in spring 2026 with dredging, demolitions and installations, to deliver this brand new 300 berth fully serviced marina, with completion scheduled for the early part of this summer.
Newhaven will offer all the facilities expected of a modern marina, but maintaining the friendliness you would come to expect from an independently owned destination marina.
Berths from 6 – 20m will be released over the coming weeks, and staff are waiting to chat to you about this or any other questions you may have. The office can be contacted daily between 0830 and 1700hrs. ■
www.newhavenmarina.co.uk
