River, CoastalSouth East England2 waterwaysThe Solent

Long-term moorings in Southampton

Moorings in Southampton: Town Quay Marina, Ocean Village, Shamrock Quay, Saxon Wharf and Kemps Quay on the River Itchen, in a port run by ABP.

Search this location

Area

Hampshire, South East England

Type

River, Coastal

Waterways

2 waterways

Moorings

0 listed

Location guide

A closer look at Southampton

Southampton is a port city in Hampshire at the head of Southampton Water, between the River Test and the River Itchen. Moorings in Southampton are marina berths: one marina at Town Quay on the Test side of the city waterfront and four on the Itchen, all inside a working commercial port.

Moorings in Southampton

Town Quay Marina: run by Associated British Ports in the city centre, with 126 annual berths, access at all states of the tide and berthing staff on hand 24 hours a day.
Ocean Village Marina: MDL Marinas, the first marina on the Itchen and below the Itchen Bridge. It has 326 berths and takes boats up to 80m, but has no boatyard of its own.
Shamrock Quay: MDL Marinas, on the west bank of the Itchen at Northam. It has 255 berths, a 75-ton travel hoist and more than 25 marine trades on site.
Saxon Wharf: MDL Marinas, also at Northam. A service centre for large craft up to 40m, with a 200-ton hoist and a dry stack for boats up to 13m.
Kemps Quay: a family-run marina on the east bank of the Itchen, open since 1913, with 260 berths and an 8-ton hoist. A pilot guide describes most of its berths as semi-tidal.

On the water

Associated British Ports is the harbour authority for the Port of Southampton. Its Vessel Traffic Services work on VHF channel 12, and leisure craft are asked to keep clear of the main shipping channels and to cross them as near to a right angle as they can.

Speed limit: 6 knots north of a line from Hythe Pier to the Weston Shelf buoy, which takes in the city waterfront and the Itchen.
Itchen Bridge: Shamrock Quay, Saxon Wharf and Kemps Quay are all above this fixed road bridge. Pilot guides give more than 23m of clearance.
Fuel: Shamrock Quay and Saxon Wharf have no fuel berth. MDL points berth holders to Hythe Marina Village and Port Hamble Marina.
Town Quay: an application made on 28 January 2026 for a Transport and Works Act order would reconfigure and extend the marina. It was still a live application in October 2026.

Hythe, Hamble, Bursledon, Swanwick and Warsash each have their own page, and the Solent page covers the wider coast.

Last checked October 2026

Moorings coming to Southampton

We’re onboarding mooring sites in Southampton. Browse all current listings in the meantime.

Browse available moorings

Frequently asked questions

Which marinas are in Southampton?

There are five. Associated British Ports runs Town Quay Marina in the city centre, MDL Marinas runs Ocean Village Marina, Shamrock Quay and Saxon Wharf on the River Itchen, and Kemps Quay is a family-run marina on the east bank of the Itchen.

Is there a speed limit for boats in Southampton?

Yes. The harbour authority, Associated British Ports, sets a limit of 6 knots north of a line from Hythe Pier to the Weston Shelf buoy, which takes in the city waterfront and the River Itchen.

Do I have to pass under the Itchen Bridge to reach a Southampton marina?

Only for Shamrock Quay, Saxon Wharf and Kemps Quay, which are above the bridge. Pilot guides give it more than 23m of clearance. Ocean Village Marina is below the bridge and Town Quay Marina is on the Test side of the city.

Where can a large yacht be lifted out in Southampton?

Saxon Wharf on the River Itchen has a 200-ton boat hoist and takes craft up to 40m. Shamrock Quay, next to it at Northam, has a 75-ton travel hoist. Both are run by MDL Marinas.

Learn about long-term moorings

Long-term mooring guide UK mooring costs Mooring contracts