Cowes Harbour Entrance

Harbour Entrance

Mariners are warned that the entrance to Cowes Harbour is an area of strong tidal flow. The flood (east going) runs from low water (Cowes) to approximately 2.5 hours before high water, when the tidal flow slackens before changing to the west going ebb flow. Maximum rates occur on the ebb tide approximately 1.5 hours after HW (Cowes) and can be in excess of 3 knots on spring tides. Close inshore a west going stream running parallel to the east going flood tide may be experienced in the vicinity of No.1 buoy. Caution should be exercised when approaching the entrance as the tidal flow may change from east to west setting within a few metres particularly in the 2 hours before HW (Cowes).