Sailing with a dog to Brighton

We slipped at 03:50 from Cowes wearing our new Baltic life jackets and headed East. Dophins accompanies a beautiful sunrise and the tide catapulted us to Brighton, arriving two hours earlier than planned.

Sailing into Brighton Marina feels like entering a small town of its own. It’s one of the largest marinas in Europe, with excellent facilities, plenty of eateries, and quick access to Brighton’s famous seafront. For us, it felt a bit run down with building works and dredging happening across the marina.

⚓ The Approach

Brighton is a tidal-free, all-weather harbour, which makes entry fairly straightforward compared to many of the drying harbours we’ve visited. The breakwaters are wide and well-lit, but strong onshore winds can make manoeuvring bumpy, so keeping speed and control on approach is important. The entrance has improved drastically as both Jen and Pete had experienced difficulties in the past with the depth at low water.

Once inside, berthing is relatively straight forward, with the visitors pontoons being the first pontoons you come to. Plenty of space with plenty of water.

Marina facilities

Fuel and facilities: Brighton Marina has excellent fuel pontoons, showers, and chandlery options - one of the best-equipped stops on the South Coast. With over 1,500 berths, it’s rarely full, but weekends in summer can still be busy. The marina was undergoing some winter maintenance when we arrived. At low water you need to get a climbing harness out to navigate the gangway. Svea of course just jumped!

Brighton Marina Yacht Club

This is situated at the entrance to the marina, however is in the process of being moved. Svea and Pete were both welcomed and enjoyed the hospitality of club members. https://bmyc.uk/ The club house offers a good selection of beers and pub style grub.

🐶 Dog-Friendly Walks in Brighton

• Brighton Seafront Promenade: Just a short stroll from the marina, this wide walkway stretches for miles along the coast. Dogs are welcome year-round, though some beach sections closer to town are restricted in summer. Due to the current works, to get to the beach, go through the multi story car park and follow a passage way next to the car wash.

• The Break Water: A good half an hour walk circumnavigates the marina along the Breakwater. Dogs must be kept on a lead, but the the views are spectacular.

• East Brighton Park: A short walk inland, this spacious park is ideal for dogs who need a good run. Plenty of grass, trails, and off-lead space.

• Undercliff Walk: Starting from the marina, this scenic path runs east towards Saltdean under dramatic chalk cliffs. Safe, car-free, and paw-perfect.

🍻 Dog-Friendly Pubs & Cafés

Brighton is one of the most dog-friendly towns in the UK, and the marina itself has plenty of choices:

• The Watershed – café-bar on the marina edge, relaxed and dog friendly.

• Brighton Marina Harvester – great for a casual bite with dogs allowed both indoor and out. Prices are reasonable and the landlord loves dogs.

• In town, you’re spoilt for choice — favourites include The Lion & Lobster (cosy pub with dog biscuits behind the bar) and Trading Post Coffee Roasters (excellent coffee, dogs welcome).

🐾 Final Thoughts

Brighton Marina might not have the charm of a tiny Cornish harbour, but it more than makes up for it with convenience, dog-friendly walks, and endless choice of pubs and cafés. It was just a shame that the whole place felt a bit like a building site. Svea certainly gave it her wag of approval before we pointed the bow east once more.

Rating: Svea gives Brighton a 6 paw rating - 🐾🐾🐾