A crossing to the Isle of Wight with Wightlink from Portsmouth couldn't be easier.
Prior to my crossing I deliberately did no research so I could relay the actual process onto you with direct personal experience plus some handy hints and tips. That's what FOREward Thinking, a nautical flavour is all about
I crossed to the Isle of Wight as a foot passenger therefore I needed to leave my car somewhere.
The car park for Wightlink in Portsmouth is just across the road from the terminal.
On the approach road to the ferry terminal, as it bares round to the left, the car park is on the immediate left hand side. There are no signs and I ended up in the car lanes for the ferry embarkation but the friendly Wightlink representative helped me out and directed me to the correct place.
Arrive early as if your arrival coincides with a ferry arrival or departure lengthy queues can develop on the approach road as vehicles queue to turn into the terminal as you can see from the photo above - but don't arrive too early.
There is no zebra crossing to allow safe transit across the road to the terminal so be careful. A zebra crossing is greatly needed and I had issues crossing this road on all three of my crossings as foot passengers with luggage and heavy goods vehicles trying to leave the port are not a good combination!
Parking for the Wightlink ferry can be paid for by credit/debit card upon arrival.
I actually arrived over two hours early as my journey from London was quicker than expected owing to the excellent road network into Portsmouth via the A/M3.
You will need to drive through the city to get to the Wightlink terminal and that can become slow and busy however. Follow the signage which says Car Ferry with a blue diamond as you transit through the city and that will ensure you arrive at the correct destination.
The Wightlink terminal at Gunwharf (Portsmouth) has some good facilities which I will come too later however, if you fancy a stroll follow the decorative paving around to Bath Square which is the other side of the fishing port to the east of the terminal where there are some pubs and a great viewing area of the ferry approach channel. The journey takes between ten and fifteen minutes on foot.
Alternatively walk around to the waterfront which is further along the road where excellent uninterrupted views of the sea and Isle of Wight can be obtained. There are also some very nice boutique shops within the arches under the ramparts.
Back at the ferry terminal, the main building is behind the two level car lanes to the left of the linkspan - just follow the pavement around. There is another Wightlink building next door however, that is just offices.
As you enter the terminal on the ground floor you have toilet facilities, information desk, lounge, vending machines and café.
The lounge affords excellent views of the ferry loading ramp and of the ships' arrival from the island as it does a ' hand break hair pin' turn into the basin - quite a spectacle!
Top tip, the vending machines serve excellent coffee and is 60p cheaper than going to the café upstairs. These machines are card payment only.
Some very informative display boards adorn the walls of this lower level and well worth a read.
Accessing the stairs or using the elevator to the upper level of the terminal you will find the vehicle marshalling lanes for the ferries Victoria of Wight and St Claire (St. Faith vehicles line up on the ground level as this ferry does not have a mezzanine deck for cars.
The café on this level is very good and boasts a small gift shop and a magnificent outside verandah with views of the ferry. Bar stools and low level seating are available however, it is not possible to 'sit down' owing to current Covid-19 regulations. That being said there is nothing stopping you from going out onto the verandah.
When it comes to embarkation there are no announcements therefore I would suggest the following:
When your ferry arrives from the Isle of Wight proceed to the foot passenger waiting area which is to the side of the Wightlink offices. There is an outside waiting area with benches.
Once the last vehicle is off the ferry, cross the little slip road and follow the painted floor signage to the ferry, which takes you down the vehicle loading ramp to the ship.
Wait at the bottom of the ramp.
A representative will scan your QR code which was emailed to you upon booking. You can then proceed aboard. Mind your step as the vehicle deck may be wet and oily.
Follow the floor painted walkway to the stairs which will ascend to the main passenger decks - see my blogs St Faith, St Claire and Victoria of Wight which give a comprehensive overview of the facilities aboard.
Disembarkation in Fishbourne is again via the main vehicle deck.
Fishbourne Terminal
Maybe it is me being naïve but I was not expecting the terminal to be on the side of a steep hill. The terminal building is at the bottom of the hill nearest the ferry berth to one side.
Within this building is a ticket office at one end and a café/gift shop and toilet facilities at the other with a small viewing gallery overlooking the ferry approach channel.
Outside are the vast vehicle marshalling lanes where embarking vehicles congregate prior to loading - an electronic sign gives details of the status of the ship and whether there are any delays which is a good feature as if you are parked near the end of the queue you may feel as if you are 'out on a limb' - the vehicle lanes really are huge!
At the top of the steep hill near the vehicle check-in booths is a really good piece of advertising for the Needles. Well worth a photo!
Fishbourne it's self is a small village and within walking distance of the terminal is a pub affording excellent views of the Solent from its garden. This can be found by turning left at the top of the ferry terminal hill at the vehicle check-in booths.
If you continue past the pub, at the bottom of the hill there is a very pleasant grassed area where you can watch the comings and goings of the Wightlink ferries.
This grassed area is around a ten to fifteen minute walk from the ferry terminal building.
An alternative walk for you; from the vehicle check-in booths at the top of the hill, if you turn right along the road, on the right hand side you will see a turning for a coastal foot path. Again, a very pleasant walk past some very attractive and expensive looking houses.
When it comes to embarkation, from the terminal building follow the painted floor signage towards the ferry, pass under the vehicle loading ramp and wait at the shelter until called forward. A representative will scan your QR code and allow you to board the ferry via the car deck.
Finally, before boarding take a glance to the right as you will see a historical plaque.
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