As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We may also earn commissions if you purchase products from other retailers after clicking on a link from our site.
Living aboard a boat is something that has been growing in popularity over the last few years. It offers a more cost-effective and sustainable alternative to conventional living, and marinas are an excellent way for boat owners to access power and other amenities that provide a convenient standard of living. You might be wondering which liveaboard marinas in the UK are suitable for this lifestyle.
Here are 17 liveaboard marinas in the UK:
- Milford
- Brighton
- Falmouth
- Noss on Dart
- Swanwick
- Universal
- Endeavour Quay
- Port Solent
- Southsea
- Chichester
- Eastbourne
- Tarbert Harbour
- James Watt Dock
- Haslar
- Portishead
- East Cowes
- Portland
The rest of this article will tell you everything you need to know about these UK liveaboard marinas, so you can gain a better understanding of what each location has to offer and eventually make a decision that best fits your personal needs.
1. Milford
Milford Marina is located in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The National Park offers rich, scenic landscapes, teeming with wildlife, and various opportunities for watersports.
The marina offers excellent liveaboard deals. People who choose to call this marina home will enjoy the same benefits as 12-month berthing holders with no additional charges.
Milford Marina: Liveaboards Welcome
2. Brighton
Why not live aboard your vessel in one of the UK’s most vibrant cities? Brighton offers something for everyone with its quintessential English quirky seaside pier, cosmopolitan bars and restaurants, and its thriving music scene.
Brighton Marina has a friendly liveaboard community, which makes it a great place to check out if you’re looking for a place that will promote socialization opportunities.
Premier Marinas: Berthing Options at Brighton Marina
3. Falmouth
Falmouth is a small town in Cornwall on the South West coast of England. Cornwall is one of the most popular tourist destinations, particularly during British Summertime.
The marina is popular among boat owners, notably for its customer service, reasonable berthing rates, and friendly neighbors.
Premier Falmouth Marina & Boatyard
4. Noss on Dart
Noss on Dart is a marina located on the River Dart very close to the town of Dartmouth on the South West point of England.
Here, you’ll come across many great opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, cycling, and watersports in the area. The quality of life here is great, and you’ll certainly be able to enjoy this with a liveaboard lifestyle.
Noss on Dart Marina – Premier Marinas
5. Swanwick
Swanwick Marina is a trendy marina in the town of Swanwick, which is in the East Midlands region of England.
The marina facilities are modern and well maintained, and the marina has a friendly atmosphere. Because of this, Swanwick is an excellent place to call home– especially for those seeking to participate in the liveaboard way of life.
Premier Swanwick Marina & Boatyard
6. Universal
The Premier Universal Marina is based in Southampton, located on the South East coast of England. The marina’s prime location means that boat owners can access a great mixture of rural and city life.
Universal offers 24-hour access to on-site facilities such as a canteen, which is a pretty great feature for those who need frequent access to this.
7. Endeavour Quay
Endeavour Quay is based in Gosport which is located on the South coast of England. The location of this marina is an excellent consideration for people interested in living on larger boats.
This particular marina boasts that it has the biggest travel lift boat hoist on the South Coast, and it also gives direct deep water access to the Solent.
Premier Marinas: Endeavour Quay Boatyard
8. Port Solent
Port Solent is another great consideration for your future liveaboard lifestyle. This marina has 24-hour access to Portsmouth’s harbor and is a very short distance from London.
Frequent travelers to this marina talk about their clean bathrooms and friendly staff. However, one downside to note is that traffic can get very busy if you need to travel around anywhere on land.
9. Southsea
Southsea Marina is in Portsmouth on the South coast of England. This marina’s location is ideal for anyone who wishes to stay close to the city. There is also a great selection of bars and restaurants nearby, which is a plus if you would still like to feed nightlife habits while living on your boat.
10. Chichester
Chichester Marina is in West Sussex and is very close to the city of Chichester. This marina has a great selection of highly-rated bars and restaurants nearby. The facilities also include a travel lift for easier access to your boat.
The marina is also near one of London’s busiest airports, London Gatwick. This is great if you have to travel a lot for work.
11. Eastbourne
Eastbourne marina offers a great selection of facilities, including flexible contracts and competitive pricing. They also provide unique berth holder benefits, including 42 free visitor nights, which you can use at any of the Premier Marinas.
Eastbourne is also located on the South Coast of England. The city is an up-and-coming area with many flocking to the seaside town in the summer months.
12. Tarbert Harbour
Tarbert Harbour is located very close to the infamous Loch Fyne on the West Coast of Scotland. The marina is a top destination for those looking to attend the Seafood and Music festivals held there every year.
The marina can accommodate 100 vessels at its busiest time and gets sold out quickly, so consider booking early if you’re interested in what Tarbert Harbor has to offer.
13. James Watt Dock
Situated on the Clyde on the West Coast of Scotland, James Watt Dock is a great place to dock your boat.
The marina’s location boasts great sailing waters for all levels of sailing experience and provides good transport links to Glasgow and Edinburgh.
14. Haslar
Haslar Marina is situated very close to Gosport in Hampshire on the South Coast of England. The marina is operated 24-7 and has excellent access to the desirable amenities of Gunwharf Quays.
Haslar Marina is also the home of the Haslar Yacht Club. This particular club provides a lot of social and networking events, which is great if you would like to connect with the local area.
15. Portishead
Portishead Marina is located on the Bristol Channel, near Portishead’s town.
This spot is a very popular marina situated close to the M5 motorway and has a range of facilities for those wanting to dock their vessel in the area. The marina also provides excellent access to Portishead beach and Bristol city center.
16. East Cowes
The East Cowes Marina is well-known and situated on the Isle of Wight. It’s close to the town of Ryde and provides excellent transport links to the Solent and Portsmouth.
The marina has a broad range of desirable facilities, including showers, toilets, restaurants, and bars.
17. Portland
Portland is located on an island joined to the mainland of England by a shoal beach to Dorset. Dorset is on the South West coast of England.
Portland’s marina has a fantastic range of nearby restaurants that cater to all diets. You can also enjoy live music events from local bands that appeal to all areas of musical taste.
When you are ready to leave the UK, I suggest checking out these 11 locations around the world that are perfect for liveaboard enthusiasts to explore. I can also help you in the search of the best liveaboard boat!