I arrived in August aware that depth could be an issue either side of low water. It was 3 hours before low water and having given our draft, were allocated a berth. The entrance was fine but as we started around the marina it was clear that inside the harbour wall there was already mud visible for a couple of meters from the wall. As we approached the turn down the fairway into the pontoons a departing boat shouted a warning about the depth. We kept to the centre as advised and turned into our row. Almost immediately the depth gauge showed zero and the boat started to drag. We were able to plough our way into our allotted berth. A few minutes later a French boat arrived and ran hard aground off our stern. We immediately took a line from them and winced them around and were able to free them to return to a deeper part of the channel. An hour later as we left the boat she was six inches out of the water.
The facilities in the marina are good and I feel very sorry for the little yacht club that is struggling to survive. However for a company like Premier Marinas to allow the site to degenerate to this extent is disgraceful. When I contacted them to complain they just referred me to their dredging programme, which I can see exists (the visitor pontoons have been removed for more than a year for dredging), but it is clearly totally inadequate.

I was here for two nights earlier this week. The entrance and nearby berths have silted up and dredging was in progress, which has temporarily reduced the number of available berths - but there are still plenty. The starboard hand marks in the entrance have been removed to facilitate dredging - keep close to the other side of the channel.

It's not cheap - £36/night for my 26' boat - but I did get a small discount as my berth was one of several without an electric tree. If you like McDonald's, casinos and concrete you'll be well served but a pleasant stop it ain't. A monster Asda is a few minutes' walk to the west, as is the only car park available for anyone visiting you - ask the friendly staff in the office for a (free) pass. Good heads and showers in combined cubicles, but not enough space for stuff.

No.7 bus goes into town from near Asda. The Pavilion is just about worth the £19 entry fee (discount for English Heritage members, which I discovered too late) and the Bohemian atmosphere of the streets towards the station is worth sampling.

They have reissued the NOTAM re depths in the Marina - if over 2m draft stay clear for two hours eother side of LW

I updated these notes in late April 2022. There are still doubts about the depths within the marina. They are quoting reasonable depths in the entrance but you would be advised to query them before setting out for here. They still have a Notice to Mariners 11 of 2021 in force advising restricting movement around the marinas to four hours either side of HW due to depths in the fairways.

Worth bearing in mind that when the wind gets up along the south coast it can really whistle through Brighton Marina. Spending that bit of time optimising fenders and warps will be worth it. If you do find a fender squashed then the chandlery at the far end will re-inflate it for you.

Always plan your entrance + or - 2 hours either side of Low Water.
The depth at the entrance is too shallow, due to silt build up.

Take care every one!

I reviewed these notes in March 2021. There are reports that dredging in this marina has been neglected and this should be born in mind if intending to stop here. Prices have increased here in line with other Premier marinas on this coast.

It is uncertain when they intend dredging here but during the spring equinox local berth holders were left high and dry at LW springs.

The amenities on the East Jetty have been refurbished. The building on the Boardwalk is now complete and doesn't appear to be affecting the views; in fact, the commercial properties underneath the flats has increased the choices of where to spend your money. The depth at the entrance is still causing problems and the NOTAM is still in force about that. Finally, there has been no increase in the prices.

The building work on the des res to the West of the harbour continues and it is not known what effect that will have on the ambiance of the visitors berths.
NB There are questions about the depths in the entrance(see the text above). If planning a visit here with a boat with over 1 metre draft contact the harbour to ascertain restrictions

These notes were reviewed by Don in March 2016. Prices have been updated for the 2016 season.

These notes were updated April 2014. Prices have been updated and you should note that there is building going on on the west side of the marina (des. reses.)

The notes for Brighton were updated by Don T on the 14th March 2013. No major changes have occured and prices have been updated for the 2013 season. As far as we can tell no building work has started on the proposed new developements.

All that can be said of Brighton marina is that it offers excellent shelter if on passage.If your looking for peace and tranquility at reasonable cost. Forget it. it's expensive and noisy.The facilities need up grading when last I visited in July 2012 and at low water with a draft of two meters I was aground in my berth and could not leave until an hour after low water springs!

3/7 - Brighton Marina – Brighton is fantastic with very helpful accommodating staff, there’s loads of shore based attractions next to the marina, the marina is very easy to approach but beware of the wreck which you have to go round before entering the marina, although this is all very well buoyed.