Newhaven put-in
Newhaven Harbour is a working cross-Channel ferry port at the tidal mouth of the River Ouse, with international ferries sailing daily to Dieppe in France.
The harbour is enclosed by a breakwater built in the 1870s and 80s that extends about 730 metres out to sea and carries a lighthouse at its tip, with a shorter, lattice-built pier on the opposite bank; together they shelter the tidal mouth of the River Ouse as it reaches the English Channel.
The inner channel is dredged to about 6 metres, but the marina berths and river reaches beyond it fall to soft mud at low water springs. Tidal streams in the entrance run at around 2 knots at springs, decreasing as the harbour widens, and the spring tidal range is roughly 0.5 to 6.6 metres.
The harbour carries active commercial traffic: around 30 registered fishing vessels work from berths on West Quay, the marina holds 285 permanent pontoon berths accessible at all states of the tide, and cross-Channel ferries, cargo vessels and dredgers use the main channel opposite. All craft, whatever their size, must keep clear of vessels restricted in their ability to manoeuvre and obey the harbour's traffic signal lights.
Nearby
Conditions to check
Tidal streams in the harbour entrance run at about 2 knots at springs, decreasing as the harbour widens, referenced to high water at Dover.
SourceThe marina berths and river reaches dry to soft mud at low water springs, so recovery onto the slipway is tide-dependent.
SourceWorking harbour with cross-Channel ferry, fishing and dredging traffic; all craft must obey the harbour's IALA traffic signal lights without exception.
SourceThe A259 swing bridge crosses the river a short way upstream; Port Control asks craft to make contact before passing under it, where clearance is 8 metres minus the tide gauge reading.
SourceOther launches nearby
1 launch within 224m- 224m south-east
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