Moorings in Sussex coast

The Sussex coast runs from Littlehampton in the west to Rye in the east. Most of its harbours sit at river mouths: the Arun at Littlehampton, the Adur at Shoreham, the Ouse at Newhaven and the Rother at Rye. Between them are two purpose-built marinas, Brighton Marina and Sovereign Harbour at Eastbourne. Each harbour has its own authority, so moorings on the Sussex coast are arranged harbour by harbour.

At Littlehampton the Littlehampton Harbour Board is responsible for the Arun from the mouth up to Arundel. The approaches dry at low water and the tide runs hard, so arrivals are timed around high tide. The Board lets annual pontoon moorings on the east bank, and Littlehampton Marina lies a little upriver beyond an opening footbridge.

Shoreham Port controls the Adur mouth and the canal behind it. Lady Bee Marina at Southwick lies inside the canal, reached through the port's locks, which are staffed around the clock, and larger craft can lie at Aldrington Quay further along. Visiting boats must book a berth before arrival.

Brighton Marina, run by Premier Marinas at Black Rock east of the city, is a large marina with a boatyard and fuel berth. Newhaven is a ferry port at the mouth of the Ouse, with Newhaven Marina at Fort Road. Sovereign Harbour at Eastbourne has four basins behind twin locks that are manned around the clock, and many of its waterside homes have their own moorings.

Rye Harbour is run by the Environment Agency. It is a drying harbour, so boats come and go around high tide and must be ready to take the ground on soft mud. Berths are available at Strand Quay in Rye itself and at Admiralty Jetty near the harbour office.