Dorset Harbours Discover our stunning coastline

Looking to visit Dorset by sea, bringing your boat on holiday or just wanting to enjoy some fun watersports? On this page you can find information and contact details for all the harbours, marinas and boat yards found along our stunning coastline. Many of our harbours have a rich maritime heritage and history, providing a wonderful location for leisure facilities and activities, not to mention some delightful places to eat and drink. Why not watch the world go by or enjoy some sundowners next to the water?

Christchurch Harbour

Christchurch Harbour extends from Mudeford Spit (Sandbank) in the east to the convergence of the rivers Avon and Stour in the west.

The harbour is an important area for nature conservation and has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Providing a home for rare wildlife it’s no surprise that Christchurch Harbour is a favourite with wildlife lovers, birdwatchers and photographers alike.

After mooring in the peaceful waters of Christchurch Harbour, you'll discover a town that perfectly blends natural beauty with historic charm. Wander through streets lined with independent shops and cafés, explore the magnificent Priory church, or enjoy riverside walks where the Avon and Stour meet. With its relaxed pace, fascinating heritage and easy access to Mudeford Quay and beautiful harbour views, Christchurch offers a wonderfully tranquil start or finish to any voyage.

Facilities and berths for visiting yachts and motorboats are available at Christchurch Sailing Club and Elkins Boatyard.

For further information - Website: Visit Christchurch or Email: beaches@bcpcouncil.gov.uk.

Poole Harbour

Poole provides Europe’s largest natural harbour and offers a unique mixture of beaches, islands and an abundance of wildlife. The harbour was formed in the last ice age and is the estuary to a number of rivers that meander their way through Dorset to the coast.

The harbour lends itself perfectly for leisure activities and watersports with plenty of luxury cruisers on display.

Step ashore in Poole and experience a vibrant waterfront town. Poole Quay is home to restaurants, pubs, family attractions and shops. The town's maritime heritage sits comfortably alongside a modern watersports culture, creating an energetic atmosphere that's difficult to resist.

Facilities and berths for visiting vessels are available at Poole Quay Boat Haven, Port of Poole Marina, Poole Yacht Club, Parkstone Yacht Club, Davis' Boatyard, Cobbs Quay Marina, Lake Yard Marina, Parkstone Bay Marina and Salterns Marina.

For further information - Website: Poole Harbour Commissioners. Email: pooleharbourcommissioners@phc.co.uk or Tel: 01202 440200.

Weymouth Harbour

Weymouth boasts one of the shortest passages across the English Channel and there is no better way to experience the wonders of the World Heritage Jurassic Coast than by sea.

Weymouth welcomes visitors with a classic seaside atmosphere that has been drawing sailors for generations. From its attractive working harbour and colourful waterfront to its golden sandy beach and bustling town centre, there's always something happening.

It is a relatively small but busy port, welcoming thousands of visitors each year. Still maintaining its original charm, the harbourside now provides the backdrop to a number of festivals and events throughout the year including the acclaimed Dorset Seafood Festival.

Enjoy fresh local seafood at one of the pubs or restaurants, browse independent shops, or simply soak up the lively harbour scene. With its position on the Jurassic Coast and year-round programme of events, Weymouth is a destination that combines maritime tradition with holiday fun.

Weymouth Harbour provides annual and temporary pontoon moorings for both leisure and commercial vessels as well as jet-ski berthing, with a small car and trailer park bookable to assist with slipway launching and recovery.

There are 85 visitor berths at Weymouth Harbour. Visiting vessels are berthed alongside floating pontoons with vessels rafting, however should you have any special requirements please let the Harbour team know and they will try their best to accommodate you.

Facilities at Weymouth Harbour include power and water, showers and laundry facilities along with an accessible/family washroom with baby changing. There is also a fuel pontoon serving red diesel (also known as marked gas oil) within the north side of the harbour.

For those just looking to store their boat, the Harbour can offer ‘boat on trailer’ storage spaces within their secure Commercial Quay (please note this is a storage only facility, boat maintenance work is not permitted and there are no additional services available or access to water/electricity).

For further information - Website: Weymouth Harbour. Email: weymouthharbour@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or Tel: 01305 838423. Watch the Weymouth Harbour Webcam live.

Visitor berthing is also available at Weymouth Marina.

Portland Harbour

Portland Port offers a safe, sheltered and deep harbour which makes it a superb choice for all vessels, from small yachts to some of the largest cruise ships in the world. Portland’s harbour also provides some of the very best sailing waters; it was the host venue for the London 2012 Olympic Games sailing.

Portland offers a completely different side of Dorset, where dramatic coastal scenery, maritime history and a strong sense of character await.

Venture beyond Portland Marina to discover rugged cliff-top views, fascinating heritage sites and the renowned National Sailing Academy. The island's unique landscape, shaped by quarrying and the sea, creates an atmosphere unlike anywhere else on the coast. For visitors seeking adventure, history and spectacular views, Portland is well worth exploring ashore.

Facilities and berths for visiting vessels are available at Portland Marina.

For further information - Website: Portland Port. Email: marine@portland-port.co.uk or Tel: 01305 824044.

Bridport Harbour at West Bay

Bridport Harbour found at the western end of Chesil Beach has a rich heritage for ship building and exporting rope throughout the 19th century.

A visit to West Bay is all about coastal charm and outstanding scenery. The harbour sits beneath iconic golden cliffs, creating one of Dorset's most recognisable landscapes. Ashore, you'll find welcoming pubs, seafood eateries and easy access to the South West Coast Path, as well as walking routes to Bridport which is just 1 mile away.

Famous as a filming location for the ITV drama Broadchurch and loved for its relaxed fishing village atmosphere, West Bay is the perfect place to stretch your legs, enjoy local flavours and experience the beauty of the Jurassic Coast.

Bridport Harbour provides a range of facilities and services for both leisure and commercial vessels. These include water and electricity points, a chandlery shop, boat lifting, launch and recovery, pressure washing, air and nitrox supplies and fuel supply.

The harbour offers 137 private moorings for leisure craft and 26 commercial moorings, with temporary moorings available subject to capacity. The majority are arranged in trots and secured to ground chains laid across the harbour. Vessels up to 10 metres in length are accepted. Visiting craft can make use of the summer pontoons.

Bridport Harbour also operates a large boat park with capacity for approximately 70 vessels, providing convenient storage and access for boat owners throughout the year.

For further information - Website: Dorset Council - West Bay Harbour. Email: harbour@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or Tel: 01308 423222. Watch the West Bay Webcam live.

Lyme Regis Harbour

Lyme Regis Harbour is located between Portland in the east and Brixham in the West, and provides a perfect stop off location for boats sailing through Lyme Bay.

Known as the Pearl of Dorset, Lyme Regis combines timeless seaside appeal with centuries of maritime history.

From the harbour, take a stroll along the famous Cobb, explore charming streets packed with independent shops and galleries, or uncover fascinating fossils along the beach. The town's creative spirit, historic character and stunning coastal setting make it one of the most memorable stops along the Jurassic Coast.

Home to a small fleet of commercial boats, the harbour also provides a number of watersports activities in the peak visitor season.

Lyme Regis Harbour provides a range of facilities and services for both leisure and commercial vessels. These include power and water, shower facilities, a general chandlery shop, boat lifting, launching and recovery, and a fuel supply.

The harbour offers 241 drying moorings, including private, commercial and temporary moorings, Most moorings are arranged in trots and secured to ground chains laid across the harbour. Vessels up to 10 metres in length are accepted. In addition, visiting vessels can make use of the summer pontoons.

Lyme Regis Harbour operates a small trailer park with capacity for approximately 20 boats, providing convenient storage and access for boat owners throughout the year and annual/seasonal kayak storage facilities.

For further information - Website: Dorset Council - Lyme Regis Harbour. Email: harbour@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or Tel: 01297 442137. Watch the Lyme Regis Webcam live.