Priory Bay

Just west of Bembridge are Priory and Seagrove Bays, which are great favourites with boats that can dry out, and popular as high water anchorages. There is deeper water closer to the shore so bear in mind that you need enough water to clear the sandy Gull Bank, which protects the anchorage. There are rocks of Horestone Point, which divides the two bays and in the north of Seagrove Bay.

East of Nettlestone Point there is a ledge with Big Ben Rock lying off it. The rock is marked by a red can numbered 17. Red can 12 marks Quay Rocks, which arc out from the houses just west of Nettlestone Point, red can 13 marks the Bunch rocks and red can 14, known as Old Fort after the pub inshore of it, marks the end of a pipe.

Sea View, on Nettlestone Point, is a charming little village with spectacular views across the Solent. There are some visitor moorings on the outer trot and there is a ferry service in the summer, but take care not to anchor off the Club itself as there are trots for the Club’s fleet of Mermaid keelboats, and to avoid the telephone lines beneath.