A visiting yachtsman’s guide to Poole

By Quinton Hall Marine Business Development Manager

Map illustration of a coastal area with multiple islands, three boats sailing in the water, and labeled locations: Brownsea Island, Round Island.

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Our top insights for sailing into Poole

At our HavenKJ Specialist office at Parkstone Bay Marina, there is nothing our team love better than getting out on the water! When they aren’t hard at work assisting fellow boaters with their boat insurance needs, you can often find them aboard “Y-Qnot”, a Moody 28 skippered and owned by Quinton and Yvonne. It’s not uncommon for them to encounter another familiar yacht from the HKJ fleet – “HavenKJ Enigma”. The team may be a little biased, but they firmly believe that Poole is one of the best yachting destinations on the south coast!
To help visiting yachtsmen make the most of their stay, we asked them to share their top insights on where to berth, eat, stock up on provisions, and explore!

Where to berth

Poole is fortunate to have a number of excellent marinas for visiting yachts:

Poole Quay Boat Haven – Recently refurbished, this marina is ideal for short stays. Located right on the quay, at the heart of Poole’s bustling waterfront, where restaurants, pubs and shops are just steps away. The historic Old Town is a 2 minute walk, and Poole Train Station is about 15 mins on foot.
Port of Poole Marina – Situated only 5 minutes walk away from the town centre, this marina oﬀers modern facilities and easy access to local attractions. For onward travel, the train station is only 10 minutes away on foot.
Cobbs Quay Marina – Located in Hamworthy and under two lifting bridges, it provides extensive berthing options and a quieter, friendly atmosphere. Make sure you check the Twin Sails Bridge and Poole Bridge opening times as they don’t operate 24/7.
Salterns Marina – Located a little further outside Poole is yet another fabulous marina, this one with 200 years of history! With fantastic views of Brownsea Island, Salterns is ideal if you are keen to situated to explore Sandbanks and Studland.
There are also a number of yacht clubs nestled along the harbour that oﬀer visitor berths such as the Parkstone Yacht Club, Poole Yacht Club, and the Royal Motor Yacht Club (reciprocal club members only)

Aerial view of Poole marina with boats docked, bordered by a stone breakwater and a coastal cityscape in the background.

Guide to Poole: Glass of coffee with heart-shaped latte art on wooden surface, accompanied by a small spoon.

Dining recommendations

Once you’re safely berthed, thoughts will no doubt swiftly turn to finding somewhere to eat! Here are our top picks:

Pi Pizza – Pi is situated on the quayside, with lofty ceilings and al fresco harbour side dining. Favourites include the slow cooked lamb and yoghurt pizza, and Aubergine Parmigiana. They also serve some great cocktails!
The Pickled Berry – located in Poole’s Old Town, The Pickled Berry is next-level dining! Their menu showcases the freshest ingredients sourced from nearby farms and markets and is a must visit for a Sunday roast – possibly the best in the local area!
Oriel on the Quay – A perfect spot for breakfast, especially if you are berthed at Poole Quay.
Rockfish – Award winning seafood restaurant where local fish landed that day can be cooked to order. They take fish and chips to a whole new level!
Sambo – Brazilian style steak house, perfect for the meat lover on board!
Riptide Espresso – For a caﬀeine pit stop whilst mooching round the Old Town, make sure Riptide is top of the list! A cosy vibe with amazing coﬀee made from their very own seasonal blend. They also serve great homemade sandwiches and snacks, perfect for refuelling on a busy day exploring.

Stocking up on provisions

If you have been cruising the south coast, you will no doubt need to replenish your stores. There are a range of independent butchers, fishmongers and greengrocers in Poole, as well as supermarkets not far from the marinas.

If you are berthed in Poole Quay Boat Haven or Port of Poole Marina, there is a Sainsbury’s 10-minutes walk away, located on Pitwines Close, which also benefits from a Lloyds pharmacy. Alternatively, there is a Marks & Spencer Food Hall 10-minutes walk away.

If you’re moored at Cobbs Quay Marina there is a Co-op Food (Blandford Road) which is a 10-minute walk away, or a Lidl, 15-minutes walk away.

If you need bulk provisioning, Asda Poole Superstore (a taxi ride away) offers a larger selection, and you could even arrange a home delivery to the marina!

A quaint town square in Poole with half-timbered buildings, outdoor tables, and a clear blue sky.

Aerial view of Poole's raised bascule bridge, with boats docked nearby and an urban landscape in the background.

Chandleries

Poole is well served if you need to buy a spare part for your boat, or just fancy buying a new set of waterproofs if the English weather hasn’t got the memo that it’s summer!

A4 Marine supplies (Parkstone Bay Marina)
Quay West Chandlers (Parkstone Yacht Club)
Force 4 Chandlery (Poole)
C Q Chandlers (Cobb’s Quay)
Salterns Chandlery (Salterns Marina)

Boat Repairs

JS Marine Ltd (Parkstone Bay Marina)

Local attractions

There are plenty of sights not to be missed in the local area, and visiting them is a great way to stretch your legs off the boat:

National Trust Brownsea Island – Take a ferry from the Quay over to the island for a day surrounded by natural beauty. The island is home to plenty of wildlife including red squirrels and rare seabirds. We recommend packing a picnic to enjoy from one of the many picturesque picnic spots, whilst watching the world go by.
Sandbanks beach and beyond – From the Quay, take the number 60 bus down to Sandbanks for a day on the golden sand. It’s the perfect spot to take in the beautiful coastal scenery. Hop back on the bus and head across the chain ferry and explore what Studland has to oﬀer, with plenty of walking routes and country pubs, it’s the perfect mix.
The Quayside – Poole has a rich maritime history, full of sea captains, pirates and smugglers! Visit Poole Museum to find out more about the Georgian Old Town.
Poole Park – Located a short walk from the quayside, the ideal spot for those who want to take a moment out of the madness. Poole Park features 110 acres of parkland, large play parks, a saltwater lagoon and beautiful lakes. A wonderful place to make lasting memories of your trip to Poole.
RNLI – Head office offering hotel rooms and a wonderful tour of their workshops and boat building facilities.

A squirrel nibbles food on the forest floor near a piece of wood, adding charm to the greenery—a scene from nature's guide to Poole.

We hope you found these fantastic insights from our Specialist team useful, encouraging you to visit Poole and helping you navigate your way around this brilliant coastal town. If you’re a visiting Yachtsman and use some of our recommendations during your visit, don’t forget to tag us (@HavenKnoxJohnstonSpecialist) in your pictures on social media!