Overview

Keyhaven lies at one end of the shingle bank which leads to Hurst Castle. It is a small fishing village with a small, sheltered harbour. The Keyhaven Yacht Club is situated at the head of the harbour. To the east of Keyhaven lies the nature reserve of Keyhaven marshes.

Keyhaven is a very popular launch point for crossings to the Isle of Wight however can experience very fast tidal flows as the tide is squeezed through the narrow gap between the Island and Hurst Spit.

Facilities

• Parking – Pay & Display in Keyhaven village, free roadside further down the road.
• Toilets – In Keyhaven village carpark.
• Pub – serves food
• Slipway – part of Keyhaven Yacht Club.

Notes

The very sheltered section of paddling out of the harbour and into the shelter of the spit can be deceptive. At the end of the spit lies ‘The Trap’ – a tide race running over the shallows past Hurst Castle. Within a few paddle strokes it is possible to go from very calm to rough water depending on the wind, weather and tidal conditions.

However, this is also a draw of paddling from keyhaven providing access to a nice ‘playspot’ when conditions are right. Be aware of the fishermen using the end of the spit with lines running out a decent distance.

Possible Routes

1. Keyhaven to IOW Crossing – Various locations
2. Keyhaven to The Needles
3. Keyahven to Highcliffe/Christchurch & various locations East along coast
4. Keyahven to Lymington/Tanners Lane, Lepe or Calshot

Tides and Weather

Tide: Easytide Tidal Predictions For Hurst point
Weather: Hurst Castle Live Weather (Internet Explorer Only)
Wind: Windfinder Wind & Weather Data For Hurst Castle

Location

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Gallery

Overview

Calshot Spit is home to Calshot Activities Centre, Calshot Castle and the Calshot Lifeboat Station. It is also home to a large slipway utilised by the activities centre, lifeboat crew and private water users.

Owned by Hampshire County Council, the spit has ample pay and display parking and it is possible to drop boats right next to the slipway before moving the car to an empty space – often right by the slipway.

Facilities

• Pay and display parking
• Slipway (Fee payable at Activities Centre Reception)
• Toilets (in Activities Centre)
• Bar – serving food (in activities centre)
• Calshot Castle Visitors Centre (Open April – Sept)

Tides & Weather

Tide Times: Easytide Tide Times For Calshot
Weather: BrambleMet Live Weather for Calshot Area
Wind: Windfinder Wind/Weather Forecast for Calshot

Notes

Calshot sits at the entrance to Southampton Water and therefore experience very high rates of traffic at all times of the day and night, all year round. In particular larger vessels such as ferries, cruise liners, cargo ships and oil tankers making their way in and out of Southampton port. In addition the incredibly swift moving FastCats running between Cowes and Southampton run at very regular intervals. Although the shoreline opposite Calshot looks invitingly close great care should be exercised in crossing due to the volume of traffic.

Possible Routes

1. Calshot up Southampton Water to Redbridge Flyover
2. Calshot to Hamble
3. Calshot to Lee-On-Solent/Gosport/Portsmouth Harbour
4. Calshot to Lepe
5. Calshot To Ashlett Creek – Article here

Location

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Overview

Tanners Lane is a less well known or used launch point situated about 2/3 of the way along the coast between Lepe and Lymington, and is about as rustic as they come. Driving down the very narrow lane brings you to a dead end directly on the sea front.

There is limited parking at the side of the road (be careful not to block the gate access to the house there) or alternatively it is possible to drive onto the shingle beach where there is space to park several cars. However, be very aware that vehicles of vehicles getting stuck or even partially submerged at higher tides!

At low tide, there is a bit of a carry to the water edge.

Facilities

• Free Parking – Limited

Tides & Weather

Tide Times: Easytide Tide Times For Lymington
Weather: Lymington Starting Platform Weather Station (Internet Explorer Only)
Wind: Windfinder Wind/Weather Forecast

Notes

Security of cars parked here cannot be vouched for due to the secluded nature – leave no valuables.
If parking on the beach be very aware of the tides, particularly at springs.
Be careful not to block local residents driveways.

Possible Routes

1. Solent Crossing
2. Tanners Lane to Lepe or Calshot
3. Tanners Lane to Lymington or Keyhaven

Location

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Gallery

Overview

Lymington Slipway provides a good starting point for a number of trips in the Western Solent. Situated next to the Royal Lymington Yacht Club there is ample parking in a large public carpark although in the height of the Summer this can get quite busy. Use of the slipway for sea kayaks is free and car parking charges are reasonable.

A section of the car park borders the beer garden on a large pub providing a nice finish point where you can enjoy a pint and/or some food whilst you kit is drip drying in full view for security.

Facilities

• Public Toilets
• Snack Kiosk
• Ample parking (machines accept change or debit/credit cards)
• Lifeboat Station with shop
• Pubs (family friendly, food available) within walking distance

Tides & Weather

Tide Times: Easytide Tide Times For Lymington
Weather: Lymington Starting Platform Weather Station (Internet Explorer Only)
Wind: Windfinder Wind/Weather Forecast

Notes

The slipway can be very busy with dinghys. The main channel out of Lymington River into the Solent is also extremely busy with dinghys, yachts, ribs and most importantly Isle of Wight Ferries which are constrained by their draught. Keeping to the side of the channel and being vigilant is recommended.

Possible Routes

1. Lymington To The Needles- Article Here
2. Lymington To Lepe

Location

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Gallery

Lepe Beach is a popular, Hampshire County Council run, country park which offers a superb launch point for Sea Kayakers providing the start to four possible routes. Facilities include a slipway, car parking, toilet facilities, a cafe/kiosk for food & drinks, children’s playground as well a tourist information centre. Lepe Beach is also home to ‘Solent Rescue‘, and independent lifeboat organisation covering 20% of the solent area.

With car parking less than a metre from the water at high tide, Lepe is a superb place to start a paddle. Sitting opposite the Isle of Wight, a few hundred feet from the entrance to the Beaulieu River you are given a number of options for a route, depending on the tide, time and wind.

Facilities

• Cafe & take away kiosk
• Tourist information centre
• Pay and Display Car Park (accepts coins)

Possible Routes

One option is to head the 2km or so west along the shore into the mouth of the Beaulieu River. From here, you can either continue along the coast to Lymington or head up the river, past Bucklers Hard and into the heart of Beaulieu itself.

If you head East along the coast, you soon reach Calshot Spit and can either cross Southampton water to continue along the coast to Gosport or head up the Hamble Estuary. Alternatively sticking to the shore takes you up Southampton water towards Hythe marina.

For the more experienced paddler, with good understanding of tides, wind and an appreciation of how busy the Solent gets, Lepe offers the chance to paddle across to the Isle of Wight.

During the summer months, the car park is open from 7am until dusk. However, it is possible to park outside the gates of the car parks should you wish to be out longer.

Location

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