Oyster Boat Terror enters the 2026 sailing season celebrating a hugely successful 20 years of operation since being rescued from a rotting wreck by Chichester Harbour Conservancy and successfully restored with a Heritage Lottery Grant.
During this time over 5000 people have enjoyed the thrill of sailing an 1895 traditional gaff-rigged oyster smack, part of the famous fleet of oyster boats that operated from Emsworth at the end of the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Since restoration, Terror has plied the waters of Chichester Harbour from May to October each year, taking up to six passengers on a two-to-three-hour trip from Emsworth Yacht Harbour, taking in all the wonderful scenery and wildlife that can be found in the National Landscape.
After the success in 2025 of operating Terror from Itchenor for two weeks at the height of the season to coincide with the Festival of Chichester, Terror will once again be offering two trips a day from Itchenor Jetty between 23 June and 6 July.
These sailings from Itchenor will enable passengers to see a wholly different area of Chichester Harbour, including Bosham, Dell Quay, the Chidham and Thorney Channels, East Head and Hayling Island.
Whichever departure point is chosen, passengers will learn from the crew all about the famous Emsworth oyster trade and its demise in the early 1900’s as well as hearing about the abundant wildlife of Chichester Harbour. Passengers are also encouraged to take the helm and experience the thrill of handling the last remaining example of a traditional gaff-rigged working boat, now beautifully restored.
Operated by a dedicated team of volunteers from the charity Friends of Chichester Harbour, and every penny of the booking fee goes towards preserving Terror for future generations.
Booking a trip on Terror is simple. Just go to the website www.oysterboatterror.org.uk and choose the date you want to sail either from Emsworth Yacht Harbour of from Itchenor Jetty.
