Portland Marina
Home of the 2012 Olympics, Portland Marina offers views of the beautiful Jurasssic Coast along with everything boaters look for in a marina.
With more than 400 annual and visitor berths, Portland Marina and boatyard has everything sailors, motorboaters, divers and sea anglers need, all on one site.
Located inside the shelter of Portland Harbour with the breakwater made from Portland stone, the marina is family friendly and ideal for boaters of all abilities. Most recently, the marina has officially opened its new drystack facility, perfect for RIBs, sports boats, ski boats and day angling boats.
Stunning views of the Jurassic coastline and a ‘rocking’ on-site restaurant will keep you close to your boat, but the lure of the rugged isle for thrill-seeking fun, fossil hunting, sculpture and tales of smuggling history also gives plenty of opportunity for shoreside adventures.
FACILITIES
Portland’s facilities include a family and laundry room, luxurious washrooms and toilets, full boatyard including Boat Care support, marine services, a variety of boat sales, free car parking and two on-site cafés including The Boat That Rocks, which offers a wide menu with local seafood specials and live music at the weekend.
Other facilities include:
- Fuel – petrol and diesel are available from the fuel dock. 3p per litre discount for Dean & Reddyhoff annual berth holders
- Gas – bottle exchange is available from Apollo Marine in the building next to the pub
- Pump-out – black water holding tank pump out is on T pontoon
- Marine services on-site including Apollo Marine chandlery and rigging
- Dive services – fresh water wash-off on A pontoon, bottle refills available from Skin Deep Diving
- Sea schools and training
- CCTV and access code gates
- 50 tonne/22m boat lift
- Water and electricity (metered)
- Tow services
Portland Yacht Club is all about sociable, boat-minded people having fun together, both ashore and on the water. PYC welcomes members with walks, talks, lunches, beach BBQs and more. Go to portlandyc.co.uk for membership and general information.
BERTHING & STORAGE
The maximum LOA is 30m and in total there are more than 400 annual and visitor berths. There is also a drystack facility where there is space for 120 motorboats up to 10m. They can be berthed ashore with unlimited launches.
ACCESS
Protected by its own breakwater, the marina is located inside Portland Harbour. Approach by sea and use the northern harbour entrance. Check the traffic lights, and if needed call Portland Harbour Radio on VHF Ch74.
Inside the harbour follow the recommended north ship channel to the marina. Call Portland Marina on VHF Ch80 for a berth allocation. Visitor berths are on R, S and T pontoons.
The marina office is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is totally accessible by land and sea, so you can come and go as you please.
To Portland via road: Portland Marina is only 10 miles from the A35 with links across the south and west. The M5 is 55 miles away, while Bristol and the M4 are 80 miles away. From Dorchester, take the A354 and follow the signs to Portland. At the causeway, turn left to the National Sailing Centre and Portland Marina. Satnav – DT5 1DX.
CRUISING
The picture-perfect Jurassic coast of Dorset is famous all over the world for its beauty and diversity, boasting many anchorages and bays to discover. Renowned anchorages east along the Jurassic Coast include the stunning horseshoe of Lulworth Cove and the more open bays at Chapman’s Pool and Worbarrow Bay. Plan a beach BBQ or take the kids mackerel trolling.
On a day of fine weather, take the inside passage at Portland Bill for a cruise westward to Dartmouth. Spend the evening moored in the beautiful surroundings of the River Dart or visit the iconic seaside town of Salcombe in Devon.
An amble around in Weymouth Bay is another lovely way to spend an afternoon, admiring the white cliffs of Purbeck and the rolling green hills of Dorset. A water bus service runs in the summer between Weymouth and Portland Marina – ask in the marina office for details.
Perfect for weekend breaks, the marina is also conveniently situated for crossing the Channel to the vibrant port of Cherbourg, or the picturesque fishing port of St Vaast.
LOCAL EATERIES
You need not walk far from the boat, as there are great eating options on-site and close by.
For breakfasts, lunches and cakes, pop into Taylor’s Mess Deck Café and gallery (01305 983782). For a pub-brasserie menu that caters to all, try The Boat That Rocks (01305 823000).
Cross the causeway to the famous Crab House Café (01305 788867) and try their home-grown oysters and specials. For more relaxed beachside eating, pop by Billy Winters bar and diner (no need to book), offering pulled beef buns, wood-fired pizza, seafood specials, coffees, cakes and more.
The Cove House Inn has fabulous views across Lyme Bay and offers local fish and fresh pub food alongside a wide selection of ales and cider. At the other end of the Isle of Portland Bill, is the Lobster Pot (01305 820242) known for cream teas, fresh crab and crispy chips.
Ask the team for recommendations in Weymouth, just a short bus, boat or bike ride away.
THINGS TO DO
The Isle of Portland is connected to the rest of Dorset by the narrow causeway formed by Chesil beach. The Isle itself is a rugged lump of Jurassic limestone, quarried for centuries to build much of London, as well as more humble local cottages.
The cliffs and old quarries are now mostly Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and home to a wide range of flora and fauna, including rare butterflies. Make sure you look out for the rare lavender that is flourishing near the marina office.
The views from Portland down into Weymouth Bay and along the Jurassic Coast are well worth the effort of climbing the hill, but you can also take the bus.
Chesil Beach stretches 18 miles from the Isle of Portland to West Bay, past the Fleet Lagoon and Abbotsbury Swannery. It has claimed many lives through shipwreck, smuggling and misadventure, but now it is perfect for fishing, picnics and exploring.
White Portland stone was extensively quarried for some of the best buildings and monuments in Britain (including lots of Portland Marina). Kingbarrow Quarry is now a nature reserve and Tout Quarry is a sculpture park – both are worth visiting. The stone is dotted with fossils, and the best place to learn about these is at Portland Museum, which is also full of shipwreck and smuggling facts.
- Climb Chesil Beach for uninterrupted views west
- Take in the sunset at the Cove House Inn
- Find fossils and wild flowers in the old quarries
- Watch the broiling Portland Race from the Bill
- Wreck diving and sea angling
- Try paddleboarding, canoeingand windsurfing all within walking distance
- Visit Henry VIII’s Portland castle
- Stretch your legs on the island walk
- Take the bus or ferry to Weymouth town
- Try paddleboarding or coasteering
- Stretch your legs on the island walk
- Take the bus or ferry in to Weymouth town
- Visit Henry VIII’s Portland castle
PERSONAL RECOMMENDATIONS
“Alan and I have been berthing with D&R for nearly 20 years. Firstly at Weymouth, then at Portland. We find the service and staff are second to none. Portland is ideal for cruising either east, west or a short trip across the Channel. We would never consider keeping our boat anywhere else. It is a family orientated marina with something to please everyone.” Alan & Pat Clifton, Jean Clair, Nicholson 38
“Previously I have done most of my sailing in the Bristol Channel and although a pretty place the sailing options were limited and facilities not great. Portland has excellent facilities with friendly staff combined with an easy tide, day sails and overnight trips between the Solent and West Country; there are lots of choices plus of course France and the Channel Islands.” Mike Bridgwater, Keinvor, Rorqual 44
MORE INFORMATION
Portland Marina,
Osprey Quay,
Hamm Beach Road,
Portland, Dorset,
DT5 1DX
01305 866190
VHF channel 80
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