Sussex Boat Trips
BEST FOR
Ages 4+
WHERE
Newhaven
What it’s like
Head out onto the water from a Newhaven marina, with skippers who'll take under-tens along the coast and older kids further out to the wind farm.
This one's a proper boat trip out of Newhaven marina, meeting your skipper at the top of the slipway rather than at any office, since there isn't one. Kids from about four are welcome on the shorter coastal trips, but if you fancy the longer run out to the Rampion Wind Farm, they'd rather everyone in the party was ten or over, as it's a fair way out to sea and can feel daunting if you're not used to it. Worth a call if you think your younger child would cope fine with that, though, as they say they'll happily add them on.
Getting on board is a bit of a step, literally. There's a ramp down to the pontoon, but boarding means stepping down around 50cm and the same again to get off, so you want everyone in your group able to manage that, with a hand from the crew if needed. Wheelchairs can't come aboard because of how the boat's built, and low tide makes that ramp steeper.
Booking ahead is the sensible move here, since trips do fill up, though turning up on the day and buying a ticket on the spot is possible if you are lucky with timing. Parking near the meeting point on West Quay costs a bit and needs the PopPay app, or you can walk from free spots on Fort Road or the surrounding streets, which most people seem to do. There's no toilet at the marina itself beyond Simpson Marine's during the day.
What’s on here
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Age 4 up on coastal trips; save the wind farm run for ten and over
- Booking
- Walk-ups possible but advance booking recommended as trips often fully booked
- Parking
- Paid parking on West Quay (PopPay app), or free parking on Fort Road or surrounding streets
- Wheelchairs
- Access to pontoon via ramp, but wheelchairs cannot be accommodated onboard
- Getting there by bus or train
- Number 12 bus to Newhaven Port (approximately 10 minutes walk), or Newhaven Town train station (approximately 5 minutes walk)
- Meet your skipper at the top of the slipway opposite Simpson Marine's boatyard, about 15 minutes before your trip starts, not at an office.
- Toilets are limited: Simpson Marine's are open 9am to 5pm, and the public ones nearby are currently closed bar the disabled toilet.
- Avoid the ramp to the pontoon at low tide if anyone in your group has mobility issues, as it gets steep.
- You can get there by the number 12 bus to Newhaven Port or a five minute walk from Newhaven Town train station.
- Gift vouchers are valid for 12 months and the code applies automatically at the payment page.
Plan your visit
How old do kids need to be?
Four is the minimum they recommend for the regular trips, as younger than that and they feel kids will not get much out of it. For the offshore trip to the Rampion Wind Farm they would rather everyone was ten or older, though they will take a call about younger children who are confident on boats.
Do we need to book in advance?
You can turn up and buy a ticket on the day, but trips often sell out well ahead so booking first is the safer bet.
What happens if the trip gets cancelled for weather?
They will rebook you for another date if rough seas cancel your trip, or refund you if you cannot make another time. Cancelling yourself within 24 hours of departure means no refund if your seats do not get resold.
Is there parking nearby?
There is paid parking right by the meeting point on West Quay, but it needs the PopPay app and phone signal there is patchy. Most people park free on Fort Road or the nearby streets instead.
Can we bring a wheelchair on board?
No, the boat cannot accommodate wheelchairs onboard. There is a ramp down to the pontoon and staff can help with the step on and off, but everyone needs to be able to sit on the bench or console seating and hold on while moving.
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