tour of portsmouth harbour

Harbour Tours

Opening times and tickets.

Running 7 days a week:

Every hour from 11:15am to 4:15pm

(Weather permitting)

Set sail on a Harbour Tour and get up close to the modern Royal Navy in a way few ever get to experience.  

As you cruise around the harbour you’ll get unparalleled views of the modern frigates, destroyers, and aircraft carriers that call Portsmouth their home. As you sail past these titans of Britain’s naval ingenuity the Harbour Tour’s Captain will talk you through each of the ships currently in dock, as well stories from Portsmouth Historic Dockyard’s past and present. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can i bring my pushchair or buggy onboard.

We ask that guests not bring pushchairs or buggies onto the Harbour Tour boat due to health and safety concerns.  

There are free buggy parks on-site available for you to use. They are located by Boathouse 4, please ask a member of the team for assistance if required.  

When do Harbour Tours operate?

The Harbour Tour service is dependent on the season.  

Service is also impacted by the weather and may be cancelled in poor conditions. We recommend checking at the on-site office for the latest schedule if you have any concerns on the day.   

Where do I board the harbour tour?

The Harbour Tour office can be found between HMS Warrior and Boathouse 4. You will queue here at the jetty until it is time to board the tour.   

What ticket do I need for the Harbour Tours?

Harbour tours are only included in Ultimate Explorer tickets . However, individual tickets for the Harbour Tours can be purchased directly through the Harbour Tours Office on the day.  

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You are here > Home > Things to Do > Portsmouth Harbour Tours

Portsmouth Harbour Tours

Tel: 023 9283 9766

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Portsmouth is still the home of the modern Royal Navy and taking the Harbour Tour offers unrivalled views of Britain’s modern frigates, destroyers and helicopter carriers, as well as historic buildings and the dramatic skyline.

The history of the British Navy at Portsmouth dates back 1,200 years to its earliest days under King Alfred the Great in the 860s. This wide natural inlet in the coastline is a flooded river valley protected by a deep narrow entrance on two sides of the dockyard, here and at Gosport, which makes an ideal natural harbour.

Roman and Saxon strongholds were constructed on the northern shore to defend against Viking attacks and to protect trade, but the harbour’s first permanent fort, Portchester Castle, was built after the Norman conquest in 1066.

Portsea Island, at the entrance to the harbour, was used as a mustering station for armies during the wars with France, and by the late 12th century a small town had grown on the south-western corner of the Island to accommodate workers and to service troops. In 1194 King Richard I granted this town, known as Portsmouth, a Royal Charter to construct a dockyard, and in 1212 King John protected the new dockyard with a great wall.

On the 45 minute Harbour Tour you will see many of the fortifications that were built to protect Portsmouth over the centuries, in particular the Round Tower at the harbour entrance and the Solent forts which formed the centre of a string of fortifications along the coast during the Napoleonic Wars.

Please note that Harbour Tours may not operate every day during the winter months. Navy ships in port will vary daily.

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Portsmouth Harbour Trail

Strap on your sea legs on a Harbour tour

Portsmouth, hampshire.

Get closer than ever to the Royal Navy's ships on a 45 minute guided boat tour of Portsmouth Harbour.

Whilst visiting Portsmouth Historic Dockyard make sure you climb aboard the Portsmouth Harbour Tour Boat for the best views of Portsmouth Naval Base and the frigates, destroyers and helicopter carriers that are docked within.

You'll spot exciting sites along the away including the Roman grounds of Portchester Castle, the city of Gosport with its beautiful marinas, and buildings inside Portsmouth Naval Base that you wouldn't be able to see on land.

Harbour Tours run regularly throughout the year and can be picked up from Portsmouth Historic Dockyard or Gunwharf Quays, which means you can enjoy a spot of retail therapy, fantastic cuisine or hundreds of years of naval heritage straight off the boat.

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You are here: Things To Do > Harbour Tours

Harbour Tours

Type: trips & tours.

Tel: 023 9283 9766

Portsmouth is still the home of the modern Royal Navy and taking the Harbour Tour offers unrivalled views of Britain’s modern frigates, destroyers and helicopter carriers, as well as historic buildings and the dramatic skyline.

The history of the British Navy at Portsmouth dates back 1,200 years to its earliest days under King Alfred the Great in the 860s. This wide natural inlet in the coastline is a flooded river valley protected by a deep narrow entrance on two sides of the dockyard, here and at Gosport, which makes an ideal natural harbour.

Roman and Saxon strongholds were constructed on the northern shore to defend against Viking attacks and to protect trade, but the harbour’s first permanent fort, Portchester Castle, was built after the Norman conquest in 1066.

Portsea Island, at the entrance to the harbour, was used as a mustering station for armies during the wars with France, and by the late 12th century a small town had grown on the south-western corner of the Island to accommodate workers and to service troops. In 1194 King Richard I granted this town, known as Portsmouth, a Royal Charter to construct a dockyard, and in 1212 King John protected the new dockyard with a great wall.

On the 45 minute Harbour Tour you will see many of the fortifications that were built to protect Portsmouth over the centuries, in particular the Round Tower at the harbour entrance and the Solent forts which formed the centre of a string of fortifications along the coast during the Napoleonic Wars.

Please note that Harbour Tours may not operate every day during the winter months. Navy ships in port will vary daily.

From Gunwharf Quays:

Generally we operate the off peak season between 1115 hours and 1415 hours.  The off peak season tends to be December through to February (inclusive).

Throughout the summer the first tour is usually 1115 hours, they will run at quarter past the hour usually until 1615 hours.

From Portsmouth Historic Dockyard: Generally we operate the off peak season between 1130 hours and 1430 hours.  The off peak season tends to be December through to February (inclusive)

Throughout the summer the first tour is usually 1130 hours and the last at 1630 hours, and at half past the hour inbetween. 

During busy periods extra tours may operate in addition to the above.

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Historic Walking Tour - Portsmouth Harbor Trail

Date and time.

Saturday May 18, 2024 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM EDT

Thursdays & Saturdays at 1 PM

The tour begins at The Market Square Kiosk, across from North Church, and next to Napoletana .

Fees/Admission

$15 Adults $12 Seniors & Students $10 Kids 8-14 Free Under 8 If tickets are purchased online, you must present your receipt to a staff member at the kiosk. 

Click here for more information

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Description

Portsmouth boasts 400 years of history, culture, architecture, and scenic beauty, and you can see it all along the Portsmouth Harbour Trail. Join a walking tour and let our knowledgeable guides highlight the historic homes, trademark tugboats and working waterfront, vibrant Market Square, colorful Prescott Park, and more. You’ll hear stories about the rich and famous to the humble merchants and madams who had thriving businesses here. You may also hear about the brewers and politicians, fishermen and boat builders, writers, editors, and publishers that made Portsmouth the talk of the nation in their day. You’ll find that the people who were born here, worked here, or moved here over the past three centuries weave a colorful cultural tapestry. Portsmouth was, and still is, a town full of characters.

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A tour of Portsmouth Harbour

Last updated on August 23rd, 2023 at 12:05 pm

At the northern head of Portsmouth Harbour, the Romans constructed Portchester Castle , probably known as Portus Adurni , one of a string of forts they built to defend Britain in the 3 rd century AD. After the Romans came the Saxons, then the Danes.  In 897 AD , Alfred the Great of Wessex assembled part of his fleet in Portsmouth Harbour, before defeating the Danes in a pitch battle in the Solent. King Harold Godwinson mustered his fleet there too, in anticipation of Norman invasion in 1066 – had it been deployed, history might have taken a different course.  The port and the town inevitably developed together and Portsmouth has been one of England’s premier ports since medieval times.  It was used as an embarkation point by successive kings seeking to retain or claim lands in France: Henry II, John, Henry III, Edward I, Edward III, Henry V – all set sail with armies from Portsmouth Harbour. And the French paid several return visits too, attacking and burning Portsmouth four times in the 14 th century.

Richard I (the Lionheart) made Portsmouth a Royal Borough in 1194 and his brother, wicked King John, established the first known Royal Dockyard – though it was short-lived – in 1212.  It was under the Tudors, though, that Portsmouth’s Harbour and Naval Dockyard began to be developed more seriously. Stone fortifications were added during the reign of Henry VII and in 1495 the world’s first dry dock was constructed.  Under Henry VIII, the whole town began to be surrounded by defensive ramparts, a chain – Ye Mightie Chaine of Yron – was established at the mouth of the harbour between Portsmouth and Gosport to prevent unwelcome visitors entering, and fortifications were constructed elsewhere on Portsea Island and Gosport to defend the town and its haven against attack. In July 1545, a French invasion fleet of some 175 ships faced 80 defending English vessels in the Solent and Henry, witnessing the unfolding battle personally from one of these new fortifications, Southsea Castle , watched in horror as the Mary Rose , built in Portsmouth and pride of his fleet, sank beneath the waves in front of him. By establishing the Navy Board and Office of Admiralty, Henry actually laid the foundations for the Royal Navy, which was formally established in 1661.

It would have been intriguing to have been anchored in Portsmouth Harbour down through the centuries, witnessing great comings and goings, and experiencing the world getting smaller.  Imagine seeing tobacco, potatoes and turkeys, when these and other hitherto unknown products arrived in British ports for the first time.  Queen Elizabeth I was just one of several monarchs who visited Portsmouth to review the fleet as the docks, and the town, grew.  There were great events too.  Charles II’s bride, Catherine of Braganza, landed at Portsmouth and the couple were married in the town in 1662, possibly in what is now the Royal Garrison Church .  Tradition has it that, on landing, Catherine drank some English beer and immediately sent word to her ship for tea; the first cup of tea to be drunk in England, some say (not actually true, it was introduced in the late 1650s).  In 1692, an Anglo-Dutch armada of more than 100 ships gathered in the harbour prior to defeating the French at the Battle of Barfleur.  In 1787, the First Fleet sailed from Portsmouth – 11 ships holding 1,480 men, women and children who would establish the penal colony that became the first European settlement in Australia.  Also that year, HMS Bounty under the command of Captain Bligh set sail from Portsmouth for Tahiti, to gather breadfruit. Incidentally, the modern practice of body tattoos in Europe probably dates from sailors bringing the custom home from Polynesia; the word comes from the Tahitian tatau .

By 1801, the Royal Navy consisted of 180 ships of the line – the massive wooden walls that could fire broadsides at enemy ships – and 684 other vessels; I wonder how many were based at Portsmouth?  Nelson, one of Portsmouth’s adopted heroes, embarked from the beach, outside Portsmouth Harbour, in September 1805. In 1807, the growing dockyard took on a new pay clerk, John Dickens; his son Charles was born in Portsmouth in 1812.  From 1808 the Royal Navy’s West Africa Squadron, which had the job of ending the slave trade, was based at Portsmouth.  Prison hulks, old ships, no longer suitable or safe for the world’s oceans, were adopted to incarcerate criminals – and others – and moored in Portsmouth Harbour.  In 1813, 18,000 French prisoners of war were held captive inside these prison hulks at Portsmouth, or behind the walls of Portchester Castle.

Human remains have been uncovered on Burrow Island, a tidal island on the Gosport side of the harbour owned by the Ministry of Defence and where there was once a fort. The island is known locally as Rat Island and is known to have been a burial ground for convicts and prisoners of war.

As Britain’s Empire expanded, so did its navies – and Portsmouth; by the mid 19 th century it was the most heavily fortified town in Europe, if not the world.  On the eve of the Great War, King George V reviewed the fleet at Spithead, just outside Portsmouth Harbour; it included 24 of the latest Dreadnought class battleships (the first, HMS Dreadnought, was launched in Portsmouth Harbour in 1906), 35 other battleships, 49 cruisers, 78 destroyers and hundreds of smaller craft – a total of 640 vessels drawn up in twelve lines.

The prominence of Portsmouth Harbour as a naval base ensured that it, the town and surrounding area, were all heavily bombed during World War Two. And it was yet again used to assemble and embark an invasion force, because this was one of the English ports from which Operation Overlord, the invasion of Europe, was launched on D-Day 6 th June 1944. Portsmouth was the headquarters and main departure point for the military and naval units destined for Sword Beach on the Normandy coast. One observer, looking down on the harbour from Portsdown Hill to the north, commented that there were so many ships and landing craft to be seen that it seemed as though it would be possible to walk from Portsmouth to the Isle of Wight across their decks. (Southwick House, behind Portsdown Hill, was the operational HQ for the Supreme Allied Commander, General Eisenhower, and underneath Fort Southwick, one of a chain of Victorian Forts on the hill, was the naval communication nerve centre.)

One of the more bizarre stories to emerge from Portsmouth Harbour is the mystery of Lieutenant-Commander ‘Buster’ Lionel Crabb OBE GM.  Crabb was an accomplished underwater diver, who had left the Royal Navy; something of a hero, as well as a chain-smoking heavy-drinking eccentric.  In April 1956, Soviet Premier Nikolai Bulganin and the First Secretary of the USSR’s Communist Party, Nikita Khrushchev, were on a goodwill visit to Britain.  They travelled on the cruiser Ordzhonikidze , escorted by two destroyers, and docked at Portsmouth’s South Railway Jetty.  The day before they arrived, Crabb had booked into the Sally Port Hotel in Old Portsmouth with one Bernard Sydney Smith, an agent of the Special Intelligence Service, or MI6.  Early in the morning of 19 th April, Crabb eased himself into the gloomy waters of Portsmouth Harbour and swam under the Ordzhonikidze, apparently to photograph its hull, propellers and rudder.  Unfortunately, he did not resurface.  Attempts to hush up Crabb’s disappearance became futile when the Russians asked their hosts that evening why a frogman had been spotted in the water near their cruiser.  Fourteen months later, a headless, handless, corpse was found floating in Chichester Harbour, just down the coast.  The authorities decided the body was Crabb and buried it in Portsmouth’s Milton Cemetery.  But was it? And what happened?  Was Crabb killed by the Russians, MI6, or did he meet an accident? Or did he defect? The mystery of this, let’s face it, ill-considered cock-up, remains to this day.

Portsmouth Harbour witnessed the departure of another invasion force on 5 th April 1982 as a naval task force headed by HMS Hermes and Invincible left Portsmouth Harbour for the Falkland Islands, which had been invaded by Argentina. The task force returned in July, having retaken the islands.

Clearly, it was time for a beer.

The harbour tour that runs from the pier near HMS Warrior is included in the ticket price for all attractions – eg, Victory, Warrior, Mary Rose – at the Historic Dockyard .

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Not only, but also...

Emmets at Emmetts

F/O James Tillett is still remembered

28 thoughts on “a tour of portsmouth harbour”.

Fascinating article re Old Portsmouth (and the Harbour). I found it very helpful in researching for my current historical novel re a distant forebear who left Deal via Portsmouth to sail to Calcutta and make his fortune in the 18th century.

Thanks, Michael! Delighted to be of help – the novel sounds intriguing!

Dear Sir, thanks for making this web site. My wife and I plan on visiting the British Isles for our Fortieth Anniversary next year. I hope to find a local tour guide to show us the Points of interest related to The Bounty Court Martial. Thanks again.

Thank you ‘Weehawker’! It’s wonderful that you’re coming to the British Isles and, especially, have chosen to mark your special anniversary by doing so. If you think I may be of any help with your plans, do drop me a line through the contact form on this website. Captain Bligh, as you probably know, is buried in Lambeth, London.

Dear Sir, I can’ believe how fast life is flying by ! Here it is March, and you were so kind to respond back in November ! Please forgive the long absence. I was wondering, Do you have a tour of Liverpool posted perhaps? Maybe I am not finding it because I am not that good with computers. My wife and I plan on being in Liverpool 3 July, a Friday, and I want to do an American Civil War walking tour, and go find James Dunwoody’s grave. Thanks again for all of your hard work and kindness.

Greetings ‘Weehawker’. I’m sorry, there isn’t a tour of Liverpool on A Bit About Britain yet, but if you type what you want into search engine you’ll probably find what you’re looking for. Please contact me through the contact form if you need help. Sadly, your trip may be in doubt now – let’s hope it isn’t cancelled.

As a near local in West Sussex I enjoyed your visit to this centre of naval history. I’ve always been fascinated by the place. The town certainly knows how to present itself as a tourist centre, with so much to see.

Thank you. I don’t think there’s much for the tourist in Portsmouth beyond the old town and Southsea, but there’s enough there to keep you busy for quite a while and the history is fascinating. Frankly, though, I enjoy simply strolling along the sea front whenever I’m there. I will be back!

So many things happened in this harbour that it’s interesting for everyone, whatever your favourite period in history is.

Such an interesting harbour. So much going on. We stayed there a few years back, right down on Spice Island, a few doors from the point. Rode the ferry to the Isle of Wight too. One thing Britain can be proud of is its navy!

Just the one, Stew?

Nice to see the modern warships down there after watching their construction near my house for several years. One of my biggest regrets is driving past Portsmouth, Southampton, and Plymouth (I was a protesting passenger at the time) without exploring any of them during a rock climbing tour of the south west and ending up in nondescript inland villages instead to be near less impressive lumps of rock in forests or by an otherwise empty coastline.One drawback of touring with a group of obsessives only focused on a single narrow purpose- to tick off classic rock climbs. Yours, Gutted and frustrated even today at the thought of it… Lovely exploration of the waterfront via your photographs…

Fabulous photos of the ships and the harbour 🙂

Well that was something different but once again riveting history. I’d love to go on the Victory.

Fantastic post. It’s a great place to visit.

All the best Jan

I found this really interesting as I generally do with your posts, I do love history

We hope to be holidaying on the Isle of Wight sometime next year and a tour of Portsmouth Harbour is definitely on the cards, especially after reading this amazingly informative post. Wonderful photographs as ever!

Hi Clare. Love the IoW! You could easily spend a couple of days at Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard, if you want to see Mary Rose, Victory, Warrior, the submarine museum and all the other amazing things there. Tip – look for ticket deals online from sites like Groupon.

Thank-you very much for the tip, Mike. We’ll certainly look into that.

A very interesting post. Thank you! I’ve shared it with the sailors in my family here in the US.

What a busy port, right on through history. Interesting story about the mysterious Mr Crabb and I’m still reeling at the cost of the aircraft carrier, £3.1 BILLION!

Yes, that’s about £47 for everyone in the UK – but not everyone pays tax, of course…

If the French got inside the harbour and attacked and burned Portsmouth four times in the 14th century, and then again in later centuries, I too would be building every possible defensive tower, fort and barracks in Portsmouth.

With the forts already in place, there may not have been any need for a martello tower. So your unknown tower looks like part of 19th century defences, perhaps part of a wall

Thanks – I don’t think it’s defensive. I’m being lazy – I should just ask… 🙂

An intricate history of that place. The Diamond is particularly impressive!

Hi Mike, I love this post!! It’s chock full of interesting info. We have a town of Portsmouth, in the state of Virginia, which is the state that borders us on the north. It also has a naval base, but I feel sure it’s not nearly as large as your Portsmouth naval base. I read that the shipyard there “upgrades, remodels, and repairs ships of the U.S. Navy, and is one of the few facilities in the world with the capability to dry dock an aircraft carrier.” (Wikipedia) I LOVED the picture of the HMS Victory — a truly handsome ship, in my humble opinion. I had heard of prison ships, and I think they would be a very unpleasant place to be in captivity for any length of time.

I’ve never been to Portsmouth, VA, but my mom has cousins who’ve lived there for years. Your post has made me want to visit now. 🙂 Thanks for sharing, Mike, and have a great weekend!! I hope you and the Missus are doing well.

Hi Mike – what a tour de force of a Tour around Portsmouth … amazing – I will be back to read properly … so much here – wonderful read – thanks – cheers Hilary

Another great tour. Having been round the Victory and taken the Isle of Wight ferry I have still only seen a small selection of what Portsmouth harbour has to offer. Thanks for the extensive tour.

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Portsmouth Harbour Tour on the Gosport Ferry

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As a last minute decision, I took the Portsmouth Harbour Tour onboard the Gosport Ferry , located in Hampshire, UK. Known for shuttling foot passengers back and forth from Gosport to Portsmouth Harbour on the 4 minute boat journey, this service, which departs every 15 minutes, has bridged the gap across the water since 1875, saving the 14 mile journey by road.

@travelwithnoanchor Gosport Ferry Harbour Tour around Portsmouth Harbour, UK… well recomended, especially for £10! Educational yet leisurely and a welcome breeze on a day pushing 30 degrees! 🥵 #gosportferry #gosport #portsmouthharbour #portsmouth #sunnyday #boattrip ♬ FEEL THE GROOVE – Queens Road, Fabian Graetz

There are many Portsmouth Boat Trips that discover the harbour, local coastline and surrounding waters as well as the active naval docks, however this is the only one to leave from the Gosport side of the water.

During peak periods and school holidays, they run Portsmouth Harbour Tours. These tours last for 2 hours and are great value for money at £10 for adults and £5 for children. If you are travelling from the Portsmouth side to catch the tour from Gosport, you can travel on their shuttle ferry service for free (with immediate return). Tickets are available online, or can be bought with cash as you board – however, there is a risk the tour is fully booked by the time you get there.

The Spirit of Portsmouth

Gosport Ferries have three vessels – for this Harbour Tour, the Spirit of Portsmouth sailed the new and historical sights of this busy harbour. With a maximum number of 300 passengers allowed onboard, there were easily over 150 passengers enjoying this tour today. It initially appeared more due to the 30-degree British heat – most people were out on the open deck, hoping to catch some relief from the sea breeze.

The tour was advertised to come along and bring a picnic. This is such a lovely idea, but in reality, it looked like a bit of a nightmare! There was no space to be able to lay a picnic out unless you wanted one of the sardines that resembled being packed onto the outside deck. There would have been more room inside; however, still not quite the idyllic picnic area some would have been hoping for. Kids were making the most of it though, tucking into fluffy white triangles and bags of fruit, whilst the two ladies next to me popped open a small bottle of rose champagne and delicately poured it into their glass flutes (that were previously protected in kitchen roll!). BYO was welcomed onboard this cruise!

It was difficult to hear the safety announcement just before we set off. This was undoubtedly due to the number of people on the outdoor deck. Throughout the tour, informative commentary could be heard a lot more clearly. It was a good mix of commentary vs. time to soak up the harbour vibes and make up your own stories about what these historic waters have witnessed.

Portsmouth Harbour Tour

Haslar marina.

We set sail at 10 am, heading straight into the adjacent Haslar Marina to glide alongside some stunning looking yachts. Impressive handling skills from the skipper onboard the Spirit of Portsmouth as it’s not the widest stretch of water to turn the 370-ton, 10-metre wide vessel around in! With 650 berths, there is plenty to look at as you glide along, with informative commentary.

The Royal Navy Submarine Museum at the end of the marina is unmissable, being shaped like a submarine itself. However, it’s the HMS Alliance that catches your eye first. A Cold War submarine that is now the museum’s key walk-through exhibit.

Old & New Portsmouth

Back into the main body of harbour water, and it’s straight into dodging the fleet of vessels that are out enjoying the UK sunshine. I must admit there was a tad bit of jealousy as the super yachts sailed past, people sunbathing on the sundeck, cocktail in one hand, selfie stick in the other! Not a moment of actual scenery was enjoyed by those onboard, so maybe not that jealous!

Over to the eastern side of the harbour and you see Old Portsmouth up close for the first time. I personally love this part of the Solent. It beams with character, keeping its charm with small cobbled streets, historic homes and quaint tea rooms. It stands in peace and with pride as the rest of Portsmouth bustles around it. Learn about its life before heading towards Gunwharf Quays and the Spinnaker Tower , which have since become the new kids on the block.

Both are awe-inspiring and monumental to the city of Portsmouth. Gunwharf Marina oozes with modern yachts and pound notes. Not a bad parking spot whilst you go designer outlet shopping and alfresco dining along the striking waterfront. The Spinnaker Tower stands in all its glory, being seen for miles along the encompassing coastline. It’s mesmerising being so close underneath it, looking up at its 170m of sheer beautiful architecture. It’s the Sail of the Solent and moves approximately 150mm in high winds!

Portsmouth Naval Base

Portsmouth Naval Base is home to almost two thirds of the UK’s surface Navy Fleet. It is one of three operating bases in the UK. As you enter the body of water, you can’t miss the Police Boats on patrol, protecting any other vessel from coming within 50 metres of one of the helicopter carriers. It almost has a menacing feel as you head further into the base, surrounded by aircraft carriers, destroyers and frigates. Game of Battleship anyone?! Note, that this is not to be confused with the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard .

If you are into history, this is a great viewing platform to see the Naval Base from this angle. You can’t see much when travelling by road, and I honestly had no idea there were that many ships, and active ships at that, based here. It’s breath-taking in a way – to think of their history but also to consider what future lies ahead for them.

Round to Whale Island, home to the modern Navy Command Headquarters. It is also home to HMS Excellent, the oldest shore training vessel. Portsea Castle is over in the distance, and you can find out how it helped protect these waters before heading back to Gosport Wharf.

The waters are calm in this inland part of the harbour. There were plenty of paddle-boarders and kayakers raising their paddles to say hello! The Police RIB team must have been feeling a bit cheeky as they decided to circle the vessel, wave jumping their own waves and giving a big thumbs up as they headed back to base!

Harbour Boat Tour Summary

The commentator on this Portsmouth Harbour Tour was extremely knowledgeable. He also made it extremely relevant to its audience. Kids and adults were both taking in the information and views. Similar to playing a game of eye spy, your head turns left to right, looking out for the talking point. The lack of Dad jokes was a welcomed surprise though, as I thought these were obligatory on most tour commentaries.

Docking back at 12pm, it was time to go and explore Gosport by foot. Even though I’m not overly into history, this was a great little Harbour Tour. There was a good level of old and new information that was both engaging and entertaining. It was great value for money. The Harbour Tour ran from the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is just a 45 minute tour included in a much higher ticket price. The idea of taking your own food and drink is a nice little touch. Just be prepared to eat it off your lap!

Are you considering going on a Portsmouth Harbour Tour? We’d love to know in the comments what you think when you get back!

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Enjoy a whole day’s shopping in Portsmouth with our low-cost Day Shopping Trip from Cowes to Portsmouth landing at Gunwharf Quays Designer retail outlet with up to 6 hours to visit Portsmouth including Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Gunwharf Quays Designer Retail outlet shops or take public transport to the city centre.

Take a trip around Portsmouth Harbour and view naval ships past and present on our 45-minute harbour tour departing from Gunwharf Quays.

All our vessels are available for private charter, for corporate events (Cowes Week, Round the Island etc.), private trips or special occasions, either cruising out into the Solent, around Portsmouth Harbour or the Isle of Wight.

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There’s a veritable army of tour guides operating in Portsmouth, ready to showcase the city’s heritage and history. Their guided tours and walks are informative and educational, but also fun – and cover a vast array of interests.

Discover the history of Spice Island, or learn all about the city’s links with Admiral Nelson. If, on the other hand, you prefer all things supernatural, head out on a ghost tour of the areas said to be the most haunted. There are also tours of the city’s most famous (or indeed infamous residents) from centuries gone by at Highland Road cemetery, where many influential people have been laid to rest.

So throw away that map and be guided by the experts for a tour that will get you deep into the heart of historic Portsmouth.

Portsmouth Guiding Service

If you belong to a local group or society and wish to learn more about Portsmouth and its history, Portsmouth Guiding Service offers exclusive walks which can be tailored to meet your individual requirements and interests. At just £40 for up to 25 people, this is a great way to explore Portsmouth's rich history.

Some of the Guiding Service’s guided walks include:

Spice Island - Discover the story of The Point (also known as Spice Island), named for its importance as a major port importing exotic spices from around the world. It’s here that the city sprang to life, and the perfect starting point to uncover the history of Portsmouth. We recommend this walk for visitors that are looking for a general introduction to the city and its history.

Nelson Trail - Follow the last steps of Admiral Horatio Nelson, uncovering the places and buildings that Nelson would have passed through and visited before he boarded HMS Victory. Team this walk with a visit to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and learn about life on-board Nelson's Victory.

The Birthplace of Dickens - Born in Portsmouth on 7th February 1812, Charles Dickens is one of the city's most famous inhabitants. On this guided walk you'll discover the story of Charles' family and some of the places that may have influenced his later works. Whilst this walk doesn't include a visit to the Charles Dickens' Birthplace Museum, you may want to organise a separate visit for the full literary experience - however, check opening times beforehand as it's not a year-round attraction.

Dockyard to Old Portsmouth - This walk embraces both old and new aspects of the city. Starting at the entrance to the Historic Dockyard, the walk goes through Gunwharf Quays - Portsmouth's vibrant waterfront area - which once stored cannons, ammunition and other armaments and later became HMS Vernon. It ends in Old Portsmouth, once known as Spice Island, for you to discover the city's old defences and its many historical buildings and features.

Portsmouth and D-Day - On 6th June, 1944 allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy, signalling the beginning of the end of World War 2. This walk will explain how Portsmouth played an important part in lead up to D-Day. Make sure you don't miss out on The D-Day Story in Southsea.

A private guided walk for up to 25 people begins from just £40. To find out more or book your tour, email [email protected] .

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Take a free walking tour around historic Old Portsmouth - focusing on the lives, loves and losses of its people.

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Discover more about the planning and implementation of Operation Overlord on D-Day.

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Turn the streets of Portsmouth into a 'whodunnit' treasure hunt adventure!

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Have fun discovering Portsmouth with two self-guided, heritage walks with an optional treasure hunt.

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The Tall Ships Are Coming Back to Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH – Sail Portsmouth is thrilled to announce the return of the majestic Tall Ships to Portsmouth, NH. This exciting event will kick off with a spectacular Parade of Sail on Friday, July 26, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., marking the beginning of several days filled with maritime adventure and exploration.  

The Parade of Sail will feature an impressive lineup of vessels, including the renowned Barque Eagle, Ernestina-Morrissey, and Denis Sullivan, along with the iconic Gundalow, a Navy tug, the City fireboat, and a multitude of supporting and enthusiastic pleasure craft and fishing vessels. Local boat owners are also encouraged to join the Parade of Sail, gathering at the mouth of the Piscataqua that morning to be part of this grand maritime procession.  

The heart of the event lies in the captivating Tall Ship Tours, scheduled for Saturday, July 27, and Sunday, July 28, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day at the Port of Portsmouth (555 Market St.). Visitors will have the extraordinary opportunity to step aboard these historic vessels, exploring their decks, meeting the crew, and delving into the rich maritime heritage they embody. Tours are free to the public, and visitors should expect to wait in line to board.  

But the adventure doesn’t end there! For those yearning to experience the thrill of sailing the high seas themselves, Sail Portsmouth offers Tall Ship Sails from July 25 to 28. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a novice, these excursions promise unforgettable moments as you navigate the waters of the beautiful Atlantic Ocean aboard these magnificent ships. Find the full schedule and purchase tickets here: https://sailportsmouth.org/event/ocean-sails/    

“Sail Portsmouth is dedicated to bringing the magic of tall ships to our shores,” said Robin Comstock, Sail Portsmouth Board member. “We invite everyone to join us for an unforgettable experience filled with history, adventure, and the timeless allure of the sea.”  

Don’t miss your chance to be part of this maritime spectacle! Tickets for Tall Ship Tours and Tall Ship Sails are limited, so secure your spot today for an experience you’ll cherish forever.  

Event Details:  

·          Parade of Sail: Friday, July 26, 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.  

·          Tall Ship Tours: Saturday, July 27, and Sunday, July 28, 10 am – 5 p.m.  

·          Tall Ship Sails: July 25 – 28, 2024 | Various Days and Times Available  

For ticket information and to learn more about Sail Portsmouth, visit https://sailportsmouth.org .  

About Sail Portsmouth:  

Sail Portsmouth is dedicated to preserving and celebrating maritime heritage by bringing Tall Ships to Portsmouth. Its vision is to enhance the awareness, appreciation, and understanding of the rich cultural maritime heritage and history of the Piscataqua River estuary through the staging of rewarding events and educational programs that the public, and especially youth, can actively participate.  

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Piscataqua Maritime Commission

• April 24, 2024

Eagle to lead Portsmouth Tall Ships festival July 26 to July 28. Here are the details.

PORTSMOUTH - The 2024 Sail Portsmouth festival will take place Friday, July 26 to Sunday, July 28, and features the return of the country’s most famous tall ship, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Eagle , to Portsmouth.

Joining the Eagle during the weekend-long festival will be the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey and the S/V Denis Sullivan, returning to Portsmouth after participating in last year’s Sail Portsmouth festival.

This year’s Parade of Sail will take place on the morning of Friday, July 26 between 9 and 11:30 a.m., kicking off the festival.

Recreational and commercial boaters invited to join Parade of Sail

“Sail Portsmouth is dedicated to bringing the magic of tall ships to our shores,” said Robin Comstock, a member of the Sail Portsmouth Board of Directors. “We invite everyone to join us for an unforgettable experience filled with history, adventure and the timeless allure of the sea.”

All recreational and commercial fishing boaters are invited to participate in the Parade of Sail, which will also include the city’s fireboat, a Navy tug from the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, and Portsmouth’s own tall ship, the Gundalow Piscataqua, all welcoming the tall ships to the city on the morning of July 26th. The exact timing of the Parade of Sail on July 26th is determined by that day’s tides and weather.

Eagle will be open for tours at State Pier in Portsmouth

During the festival, the USCGC Eagle will be docked at the state pier in Portsmouth and open for tours on Saturday and Sunday, July 27 and 28, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tours are free and open to the public. There will be a dockside maritime tent at the state pier with educational booths, live entertainment, food, children’s activities and even roaming pirates.

“In the past few years volunteering at the festival, I’ve seen multiple generations in line, grandparents standing with children and grandchildren,” Comstock said. “Telling them stories, stories about living on the river or telling them about their parents who were in the Navy, or worked on the river, remembering their maritime history and having it touch the present and the future.”

Public can sail aboard Ernestina-Morrissey and Shining Star

From July 25 to 28, sails will be offered on both the Ernestina-Morrissey and Denis Sullivan, which will be docked at the University of New Hampshire Pier in New Castle.

Passengers can ride in the Parade of Sail aboard the M/V Shining Star or the Ernestina-Morrissey. On the Ernestina-Morrissey, passengers will be able to join the crew in hoisting the sails and steering the ship, and will learn about this schooner’s history. This sail will leave from the University of New Hampshire pier on Sullivan Lane in New Castle at 9 a.m. on July 26. Passengers are asked to arrive at 8:30 a.m. to park and check in. Tickets are $88 per person.

This year, a ride aboard the M/V Shining Star during the Parade of Sail is also available. The Shining Star will head out to Star Island to watch the tall ships assemble for the Parade of Sail and will accompany the tall ships up the river. This sail will leave from the Kittery Town Dock at 8 a.m. on July 26th and will return there after the parade. Tickets are $60.

On Saturday, July 27, the Schooner Denis Sullivan will sail on a one-way trip to Boston. 

It will depart from the UNH pier in New Castle and will arrive at the Moakley Courthouse Dock in Boston after an eight- to ten-hour sail. Tickets are $155. Passengers must be ambulatory and 8 years old and above. There is free parking at the UNH pier, but no overnight parking is allowed. Passengers arrange rides back to New Hampshire. The C&J Bus terminal at South Station in Boston is a 10-minute walk from the dock.

Tickets for the two-hour sails on the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey are $75. All tickets can be purchased online at  sailportsmouth.org .

Gundalow can accommodate people with mobility challenges

All passengers must be ambulatory for the tall ship sails. The Gundalow Piscataqua, which is equipped to accommodate people with mobility disabilities, will also be offering sails and can be booked by calling (603) 433-9505 or online at  www.gundalow.org .

The annual Sail Portsmouth festival raises money for the Sea Challenge Scholarship Fund, which gives local high school students the opportunity to spend a week aboard a tall ship at sea during the summer. This year’s Sea Challenge will take place July 19 to 26. For more info, visit  sailportsmouth.org .

“The festival and our donors fund the Sea Challenge. It’s so much more than a festival, it makes the benefits of experiencing life at sea for one full week available to teens,” Comstock said. “It’s a unique experience of the past and how we became who we are today, and an opportunity to learn about themselves through the maritime experience.”

The Sail Portsmouth festival relies heavily on volunteers. There’ll be a volunteer training session on Sunday, July 14 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Music Hall Lounge on Congress Street in Portsmouth. Those interested in volunteering can register on the Sail Portsmouth website at  sailportsmouth.org/become-a-volunteer .

“Sail Portsmouth is dedicated to bringing the magic of tall ships to our shores,” said Robin Comstock, a member of the Sail Portsmouth Board of Directors. “We invite everyone to join us for an unforgettable experience filled with history, adventure and the timeless allure of the sea.” 

Again this year, tours of and sails on the tall ships will be available during the festival and there’ll be food, activities and entertainment in a dockside maritime tent. The annual Sail Portsmouth festival raises money for the Sea Challenge Scholarship Fund, which gives local high school students the opportunity to spend a week aboard a tall ship at sea. Sail Portsmouth is an all-volunteer, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. 

Tickets and information are available at  sailportsmouth.org .