Welcome to Brightlingsea Harbour
Whether you're arriving for the night or staying a week, you'll find everything you need here to plan your visit — mooring and rates, how to find us, and a few ideas for what to do once you're ashore. If you need anything else, get in touch and we'll point you in the right direction.
Tel: 01206 302 200 · Email: mail@brightlingseaharbour.org
Arriving by Boat
As you reach the north cardinal just outside the Harbour entrance, call us on VHF Channel 68 for instructions and guidance on where to moor. Our team on the water will direct you to a berth and take your lines.
Once you're moored and ready to come ashore, if you're out on the pontoons, call the Water Taxi on Channel 68. Once ashore, call in at the Harbour Office to settle your dues and collect any information you need for your stay.
See Visitor Rates, Navigation Advice and Facilities for the detail.
A Weekend Afloat — a suggested itinerary
Day one: Once moored and settled in, take a stroll around the harbour to get your bearings before heading to the Yachtsman's Arms for dinner — or venture a little further into town, where there are plenty of places to eat within a 5–10 minute walk of the Harbour Office. Return to your boat for a relaxing evening on the water as the sun sets.
Day two: Head ashore for breakfast at one of the town's cafés, then take a stroll around the independent shops before visiting Brightlingsea Museum to explore the town's maritime heritage. In the afternoon, a coastal walk along the promenade offers a closer look at the views around you — routes are in the Visitor Guide or as a walking booklet from the Harbour Office.
Click on the link Brightlingsea welcomes you - whether for a day or a staycation (visitbrightlingsea.co.uk) to find out what there is to do in Brightlingsea, places to eat and seasonal events.
Getting Here by Road and Rail
Buses: First Bus service 87 runs to the centre of Colchester, and some services continue to Colchester North Station for intercity trains to London Liverpool Street, Norwich and Harwich International. The main pick-up point in Brightlingsea is Victoria Place on the High Street.
Trains: The three nearest stations are Alresford, Great Bentley and Wivenhoe, all within 8 miles, with frequent trains to Colchester Town or Colchester North for connections to London, Ipswich, Harwich International and Clacton-on-Sea. See nationalrail.co.uk for timetables.
Visiting from Outside the UK
Welcome to Brightlingsea — Bienvenue à Brightlingsea — Willkommen in Brightlingsea — Welkom in Brightlingsea. If you need any help during your stay, please get in touch with the Harbour Office.
Read our UK Entry and Exit Formalities for Recreational Craft guidance before you arrive, covering the Q flag, customs notification and Border Force requirements for vessels arriving from outside the UK.