Portsmouth, UK
RYA
Day Skipper
3
Sailing experience level

England's naval heartland

Located in the naval heartland of England’s south coast, Portsmouth offers exciting, invigorating sailing conditions perfect for experienced sailors. Strong winds create the opportunity for thrilling tacks and gybes, with many famous races and regatta taking place in the waters of the Solent and the Isle of Wight.

Walk the impeccably restored decks of Lord Nelson’s historic HMS Victory, which led the Royal Navy fleet in the Battle of Trafalgar and was to be the site of Nelson’s tragic death. Cross the Solent to the Isle of Wight, home to the celebrated Cowes Week regatta and a popular, picturesque island resort. Further still, the English Channel gives way to France, where you can indulge in the culture and cuisine of the continent.

Closer to home you'll find the ancient woodland of the New Forest, where royals have hunted game and passed their leisure time for centuries. As well as excellent, easy hiking, the New Forest is home to a number of traditional, affluent towns and villages left largely unchanged for hundreds of years. As a sailing ground and a vacation destination, the Solent has few rivals.

Portsmouth travel information      

Portsmouth sailing school

Visit our Portsmouth sailing school and learn to sail in the company of expert, Royal Yachting Association (RYA) accredited instructors, earning the qualifications you need to sail on your own along the way. From complete beginners to more advanced sailors, we offer a range of courses out on the Solent to suit all experience levels and abilities.

 Explore Portsmouth sailing school

Portsmouth bareboat charter

Arrange a bareboat charter vacation and enjoy the fine sailing conditions of the Solent. Stay close to shore and let the region’s strong winds put your yacht through its paces or sail out on your own agenda, calling at the picturesque towns and villages of England’s south coast or heading further afield to the Isle of Wight and even France. On a bareboat charter vacation, you’re in charge.

Portsmouth skippered charter vacations

With excellent sailing conditions, traditional port towns and picturesque rural villages to explore, a skippered charter vacation from our base in Port Solent lets you experience everything England’s south coast has to offer. Your expert skipper will help you improve your sailing skills and give you tips and insights you won’t find in any guidebook.

Sailing School

Sailing schools

Learn to sail at one of our bases. From the Mediterranean to the Caribbean, Thailand to Australia, or even a bit closer to home at our Port Solent base, our RYA qualified instructors teach you all the skills you’ll need on your sailing holiday.

View Courses

Experience required

Sailing experience level
3
At least 20 days or 400 miles as skipper on an equivalent size yacht

Level 3 destinations are our most challenging. Suitable only for confident, experienced sailors, Level 3 destinations offer long spells of open water sailing, broad tidal ranges, strong winds and remote anchorages.

Skippered Holiday

Try a skippered holiday

  • Relax and let your skipper take charge
  • Be as hands on or laid back as you like
  • Learn from an expert skipper
  • Gain local knowledge and recommendations
  • Peace of mind and safety on the water
  • Discretion and privacy when you need it
Learn more

Sailing conditions

Max temp (°F)Min temp(°F)Avg precipitation
(mm)		Avg wind speed
(knots)
Dominant wind direction
Portsmouth (UK)
January4639606S
February46373910SW
March5039379SW
April54434010SW
May59483311SW
June63523411SW
July6857378NW
August6857396NW
September6454373SE
October5950647NW
November5243598E
December48397013SW

Address

Lock Approach

Port Solent Marina

Portsmouth, Hants

PO6 4TJ England

Base opening hours

Mon-Fri: 8:00am - 6:00pm

Sat: 8:00am - 10:00pm

From November to February

Mon-Fri: 8am-4pm

Weekends dependent on charter arrival/departure

Nearest airport
Southampton Airport