Yachting & Leisure

One of the busiest waterways in the United Kingdom, the Humber Estuary handles around 40,000 commercial shipping movements a year and is used by many pleasure craft.

The estuary is approximately 4 miles wide at its entrance opening to 6 miles wide just past its entrance at Spurn Point. Its upper reaches, some 30 miles upriver, are 1.5 miles wide. This vast expanse of open water, 145 square miles in total, with its fast-flowing currents, shifting sands and shallow waters, can be a dangerous place for the inexperienced and should be treated with respect. Associated British Ports, the Harbour Authority for the Humber, carries out frequent surveys of the estuary and yachtsmen are advised to obtain the latest charts, which are available from the Harbour Master's office.

The Ports of Grimsby and Hull both house thriving marinas in enclosed docks situated close to their respective town centres. There are other boat clubs along the estuary of which details are provided in this guide.

The Humber provides access to other rivers and the canal system, which makes it possible to cross the country from east to west using the inland waterway network. Some of England’s most wonderful heritage sites and countryside are within easy reach. The historical city of York, for example, can be easily reached by boat.

The Humber Estuary is home to a thriving community of marinas and small boat clubs and is used by many for a variety of social and recreational purposes.

This section provides all leisure users with a wealth of useful information on clubs, facilities, chart availability, Notices to Mariners and much more. Also included is advice on the procedures to be followed and the permissions required to hold organized events on the waters of the estuary.