Pilot the Isle of Wight: Cowes to Alum Bay

Navigational tips and beauty spots around the north-west coast of the Isle of Wight.

Navigate Cowes to Alum Bay

Salt Mead Ledge

Photo: Peter Bruce

The next obstruction is Salt Mead Ledge, which lies off the patch of darker conifers of Burnt Wood. To clear this, keep the westerly cardinal off Newtown Creek inside Hamstead Point.

Photo: Graham Snook

It’s not always easy to see so if you can’t pick it out, keep Hamstead Point on a bearing of not more than 250M. Confusingly, there is often a patch of turbulent water just outside Salt Mead Ledge, though there’s no apparent reason for it as depth is good.

Photo: Graham Snook

You know you’re west of Salt Mead Ledge when the western edge of Burnt Wood lines up with the lower apex of Hummet Wood, just to the west of it.

  1. 1. Introduction
  2. 2. Royal Yacht Squadron, Cowes
  3. 3. Cowes to Gurnard Ledge
  4. 4. Gurnard Ledge in detail
  5. 5. Baxter's Ledge
  6. 6. Thorness Bay
  7. 7. Salt Mead Ledge
  8. 8. Hamstead Ledge
  9. 9. The Solent's oldest and youngest wrecks
  10. 10. Yarmouth Castle
  11. 11. Black Rock
  12. 12. Fort Victoria
  13. 13. Sconce Point to The Needles
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