Wightlink Ferry Company - Ferries Crossings to Europe
Introduction - Brittany - Condor - DFDS - Hoverspeed - Irish - Isle of Wight - North Sea - P & O - Red Funnel - Seacat - Sea France - Speed Ferries - Stena Line - Superfast
Visit their website - http://www.wightlink.co.uk/
There are two major Isle of Wight ferry companies, Wightlink and Red Funnel taking passengers between the U.K. mainland and The Isle of Wight on the short journey across The Solent. Ferries depart from Portsmouth Harbour and from Lymington.
Wightlink promise their customers high standards of service coupled with quick and frequent journey times offering the standard passenger ferry service and a choice of 'Fastcat' service, a catamaran for foot passengers only, which is the perfect option for those on weekend breaks and day returns.
Portsmouth is one of Britain's most advanced and well connected ferry ports dealing with all kinds of vessels from passenger ferries, cruise liners and freight liners. Every year around 3.4 million people pass through Portsmouth ferry port which also offers excellent road links to the rest of the United Kingdom.
The Port of Lymington is a pretty market town close to the New Forest and is probably the most picturesque way to sail across The Solent due largely to its sense of history and the examples of Victorian and Georgian architecture that give it it's distinctive sense of Englishness.
Sailing routes
Wightlink offer routes from Portsmouth to Fishbourne with as many as 37 sailings a day and a crossing time of around 35 minutes. They also offer a service from Lymington to Yarmouth with around 37 sailings per day and a sailing time of around 30 minutes. The final Wightlink service is from Portsmouth harbour to Ryde on the 'Fastcat' catamaran service which goes up to 41 times a day and takes just 15 minutes.
The only other service that goes to The Isle of Wight is provided by Red Funnel and goes from Southampton to Cowes around 24 times a day with a crossing time of around 55 minutes.
Hovertravel also have a service featuring two 98 seat hovercraft that go from Southsea to Ryde.
Isle of Wight Ferry Port MapDriving directions
Portsmouth is well connected by road and clearly signposted. If you're traveling from Portsmouth Harbour or the Ferryport come in to Portsmouth via the M27 and simply follow the signs. If you're sailing from Lymington turn off the M27 on to the A337 until you reach the town centre.
Why the Isle of Wight?
There is plenty to do on this beautiful island for both adults and children. Many parts of the island have been described by The National Trust as 'areas of outstanding natural beauty' and there are some great cliff top and beach walks. To keep the kids amused there is The Isle of Wight Zoo and The Model Village in Godshill, and for adults there is The Museum of Smuggling in Ventnor, The Alum Bay Glassworks and Osbourne House in East Cowes to name only a few options.
Ferry Destinations & Tips
