New ferry service from Hayling Island to West Wittering Beach

I made a circuit of Chichester Harbour, making use of the new ferry service across the mouth of Chichester Harbour, from Sparkes Marina near Black Point on Hayling Island to East Head at West Wittering Beach. The ferry runs on Fridays, Saturday and Sunday from April to October. I also used the Itchenor ferry, making this a 'two ferry' ride.

Here's a map of my route, shown in BLUE.

I also show other routes between West Wittering and Chichester namely the Salterns Way in PURPLE and via coastal back roads and the Medmerry reserve to near Sidlesham, then via NCN288 in RED.

I rode the Hayling Billy disused railway trail (aka NCN2) down the Western side of Hayling Island, then Eastwards along the sea front cycle path to reach Sparkes Marina and crossed to East Head, the dune covered sand spit jutting North from West Wittering Beach.

After a rather soft sand stretch from the ferry landing point, I cycled most of the way to the main tourist beach on the firm wet sand on the landward side of the spit. I then took the Salterns Way to Itchenor, where I took a second ferry to reach Bosham Harbour.

I returned along NCN2 which follows the A259. This started well, along a good pavement, but deteriorated to an on-road corridor protected by a dashed white line. Diversions via the village of Prinsted and town of Emsworth made for a pleasant interlude beside the waterfront.

Near the village of Walberswick, it being low tide, I cut down to the stony beach and rode along to the Ship Inn next to Langstone Harbour Bridge. It was then a short ride from here back to where I started.

The new ferry service may provide an adventurous alternative for cyclists traversing the South Coast using NCN2. Currently, there is a gap in NCN2 between Bognor and Chichester, and NCN2 between Chichester and Havant is not a very pleasant ride alongside a busy road. The Salterns Way (PURPLE route) or NCN288/Medmerry (RED route) could be used to reach West Wittering, cross on the ferry to Hayling Island then carry on along the seaside cycle path to the Hayling-Eastney ferry. It is obviously constrained by the 'summer weekend only' operation, the risk that it will sell out on busy days, or be cancelled in poor weather. Phone ahead before committing (search for 'Wittering ferry' or similar).

The new ferry leaves from a jetty in Sparkes Marina (the one nearest the car park). It takes credit cards on board. There is a cafe/restaurant in the Marina.

The ferry lands on the beach at East Head with a bow ramp directly on to the sand. There are facilities and a cafe at the (massive) beach car park.