The entrance to Chichester Harbour is flanked on its Western side by the West Pole Sands, extending out to sea for about a mile. If approaching the harbour from the West, along the Hayling Island shore, it means first going right out to sea. The sea state in the main approach channel is often rougher than in the open sea due to the shallow water, the fast running tidal streams, which might be running against the wind, and the proliferation of vessels. Therefore, it is attractive to find a way of crossing the West Pole Sand nearer the shore, and dinghies are sometimes seen to cross here. At low water springs (LWS) it is possible to walk out on the sands and study the possibilities.

First of all, the sands are very extensive in area, like a football pitch. The Eastern side is steep-to and is composed of fine shingle. The Western side has a gradual slope and is sand. There are no rocks or obstructions visible, although the chart indicates an obstruction. The Hayling Island shore is a shingle beach with a row of groynes, each having a marker post with a can. I have numbered these starting with number 1 at the Eastern end. At the foot of this big shingle beach is, at LWS, a water filled channel about 20 metres wide. At number 1 marker post there is no groynes, but a sand bar blocking this channel and drying 1.8m. This is the lowest crossing point, and so a typical dinghy will require a tidal height of about 3m in order to cross, which can be ascertained when outward bound from the Tide Gauge opposite the RNLI station. 3m will be found at around half tide on both springs and neaps. When rounding the corner at Eastoke Point, it is best to pass to the shore side of Eastoke Port Hand Marker. The marker post number 1 does not mark a hidden groynes but marks the sand bar only and should also be crossed well to the shoreward side. Be sure you can see the full extent of the rock breakwaters.

The Hayling Island shore running North-South consists of a big shingle beach. There are groynes, and some piles of rocks acting as breakwaters. Below these obstructions there is nothing else to be seen at LWS except shingle.

When approaching from the West, suggested track is 070 deg T from the Forts, join the Swatchway about 20 houses from the eastern end of the row – a house with the letters RPA on its end wall may be seen. It is not too critical provided a watch is kept of depth. When outward bound, a house with two white, round arches like wagon wheels may be seen. Then steer approximately 250 deg T towards the Forts.

I have made one passage of this route in each direction and have walked on to the sands at LWS 19 August 2005, 1m above chart datum.

This information has not been independently verified and responsibility for boat safety rests entirely with the skipper.

Summary

1. The rock berms or breakwaters at Eastoke Point look frightening, but no hazards exist below them on the shingle beach.
2. The narrow bar I have indicated is made of sand.
3. Post Number 1 marks only the position of the sand bar, there is no groynes.
4. There are no hazards visible at LWS below the groynes marker posts.
5. There is no sign at LWS of the "Obstruction" shown on the chart.
6. The swatchway can be rough so the route is only for light weather with a fair wind.
7. If you decide to sail near a lee shore in suitable conditions, have two means of propulsion ready, plus an anchor ready to let go.
8. 3m of water will ordinarily be found at HW+/– 3hrs at both neaps and springs.

DS