During the sailing season the Christchurch Harbour Association lays channel buoys at the harbour entrance and within the harbour and River Stour up to its confluence with the River Avon. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy in positioning these buoys, mariners must appreciate they can only serve as a guide, especially after spell of heavy weather. In order to aid identification only, there is a single light 2F.G at the eastern end of the car park at Mudeford Quay.

There is a 4 knots speed limit within the harbour & rivers. Christchurch Borough Council & Dorset Police operate patrol boats both inside the harbour and along the beaches outside. Along the shores outside the harbour there are designated zones, marked with yellow buoys, for different users; i.e. swimmers, sailboarders, surfers etc.

The tides at Christchurch are very complex. On most days there are 4 high waters every 25 hours. On full springs there is an approximately 4 hours flood from LW to the 1^st HW, followed by a lower 2^nd HW between 2 & 3 hours later. On neap tides there is an approximately 8 hours flood from LW followed by a 4 - 5 hours ebb. The 1^st HW shown in the tables is only at an arbitrary height.

The Run: This is very unstable and frequently (sometimes dramatically) changes in both depth and course, especially in the winter. The amount of change is usually considerably less over a settled summer but none the less, caution should always be exercised! Rates of flow on both the flood and especially the ebb can be very strong but rarely in excess of 4 to 5 knots. As a general rule, boats drawing 3’6" should be able to enter/leave for at least 1 hour either side of the higher of the 2 tides given in the tide-table.

Mariners should be aware that there are several factors that may affect the depth of water in the Run and, especially, the harbour. During periods of "high pressure" the depth of water could be reduced by a foot or more. With a normal range of only about 3 to 5 feet, this can dramatically reduce the available depth!

In fresh to strong winds from the south through to southeast, a dangerous swell with a breaking sea often develops on the bar. Winds from this direction can cause rapid and significant changes to the course and depth of the channel.

Within the harbour at LW the buoyed channel may in places have less than 2 feet of water. Especially on neap tides, for up to 2 hours after LW at the entrance there may be little appreciable increase in depth. Yachts may successfully enter the harbour but then have to anchor to await sufficient depth to proceed up the harbour.

If the Club is unable to accommodate your yacht, berths may be available at either Rossiter Yacht Builders (on the peninsular between the 2 branches of the R Avon, to the north east of the Club) or Elkins Boatyard, on the western branch of the R Avon.

Limited anchoring is possible at the top of the harbour on the port hand side adjacent to the reed beds, clear of the fairway. Boat drawing up to 3 feet should be able to remain afloat here. Mariners should note that the harbour and foreshore is an important nature reserve and a designated SSSI.

This is best left for you to explore, but for complete strangers to get to the High Street – leave the Club entrance, cross the stone bridge and go through the gap in the wall, through the car park on to the road. Turn right to the path through the Priory churchyard, out through the iron gates into Church Street, which leads into the High Street. Branches of most Banks, Building Societies, a Crown Post Office, two super-markets etc. are all within easy walking distance. Christchurch is on the main Weymouth – Waterloo line. There is a frequent bus service from the High Street to Bournemouth, Poole etc.

Christchurch Entrance and Run

 
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