Here are a few points of interest that you may want to include in your day which may take you along Southampton Water, west along the north shore of the Solent until the western end of the Isle of Wight and then back along the coast of the Isle of Wight to Cowes at the eastern end of the Solent,

From there we look at the eastern side of the Isle of Wight, across to Portsmouth Harbour and east to Chichester Harbour. All the places mentioned are within about a one to two hour sail from Southampton.
A map to hand will enhance the planning of this aspect of your day.

The Hamble
As you leave Universal Marina you will see the bustle of the yachting world. Hundreds of yachts lie at anchor along the river, and Hamble village itself is worth a wander with its many pubs and restaurants.

Beaulieu River
At the eastern end of the Solent lies the entrance to the Beaulieu River. The winding channel leads into a waterway, with views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight and plentiful buoys offering the chance to tie up and spend a lazy hour or two sunbathing or swimming. Further upriver is Bucklers Hard, a small village worth exploring for an hour or so. It is possible to tie up here and walk into the village of Beaulieu, a picturesque village with several places to eat or drink.

Lymington
As we approach the winding channel that leads to the port of Lymington, we pass two Marinas which bring us to Town Quay. Away from the river, usually lined with yachts, the streets of the old town of Lymington offer the chance to shop, eat at several excellent restaurants or take a drink at one of a number of pubs, one of which is right on Town Quay. The town is a gateway to the New Forest but is worth an exploratory ramble in its own right.

Hurst Castle and the Needles
Hurst Castle guards the western end of the Solent. We cannot land here, but sailing past the Castle brings us out into more open water and on our port side after a few minutes sail are the Needles, the dramatic rock outcrops that are a feature of the western end of the Isle of Wight. We can spend a little while cruising to the west and south of the Needles, with the chance for some close-up views of these dramatic rocky outcrops.

Alum Bay
Immediately to the East of the Needles is Alum Bay. An ideal place to anchor, the bay offers the chance to swim from the yacht, or just to lounge on deck against a backdrop of the towering cliffs which line the bay. Landing is possible, using the vessel's tender, but a steep climb awaits those who decide to venture ashore.

Yarmouth
Yarmouth is arguably the most picturesque harbour on the Isle of Wight. The streets of this small seaport offer a selection of pubs and restaurants perfect for a lunch time visit. The harbour at Yarmouth is quite small and can be swiftly filled with craft, so we may tie up within the port itself, or pick up a buoy just outside the harbour entrance and use the yacht tender or a water taxi to go ashore. In the height of summer Yarmouth is always a busy and bustling stopover that has lost none of its charm despite its popularity.

Newtown Bay
To the east of Yarmouth is the narrow entrance to Newtown Bay. Once inside the bay we can anchor in the shallows and swim from the boat, take the tender to the shore for a wander, or watch the prolific bird-life of this protected area. A longer stay here will allow time for a walk inland to Shalfleet and an excellent pub offering a leisurely lunch. Our vessel will most probably anchor outside the bay at most states of the tide, using the tender to explore the bay, but our Jeaneau can anchor or pick up a buoy in the bay itself, the prelude to a lazy afternoon.

Cowes
Lying on both sides of the River Medina, Cowes is of course, along with the Hamble River, the center of the yachting world on the south coast. Although quite crowded in the height of summer, or whenever a yachting event is taking place, the town has lost little of its charm and a wander through the center of town reveals a number of pubs, restaurants and shops, many of which are devoted to the world of sailing. Cowes is an ideal stopover for a leisurely lunch, perhaps at the Yacht club overlooking the Solent. We can berth on the bustling western side of the river, or the quieter eastern shore, or just cruise up the River Medina for a while, watching life on the river before heading elsewhere.

Osborne Bay
A short sail to the east of Cowes is Osborne Bay. Whilst not so obviously an indented, cliff-lined bay as Alum Bay, Osborne Bay is easily reached as part of a shorter cruise, and, lying adjacent to an area where many a yacht race takes place in the season, can provide spectacular views of sailing at its finest. Above the bay lies Osborne House, below lies a beach which can be reached in minutes by tender. A chance here to swim from the stem of your yacht or laze on deck and watch the world go by.

Seaview
A small, and relatively quiet, town to the east of Ryde at the eastern end of the Isle of Wight, and overlooking the waters and the forts off Southsea, Seaview has no port. However a stop here is possible by picking up one of the buoys just off-shore, and going ashore using the local water-taxis. Lunch at one of the seafront restaurants allows time to drink in the views across to the mainland,

Bembridge
Bembridge lies on the eastern side of the Isle of Wight, the approach by sea is via a narrow and twisting channel, with entry restricted at some stages of the tide. Once inside the harbour bar and tied up at the pontoon there is the option of a walk to a beachfront restaurant with views across the water to Portsmouth, or for the more ambitious a longer walk up to the village of Bembridge itself. There are several pubs and restaurants, but the lengthy walk or the need to take a taxi the few miles into town means a lengthy stay is advisable to make the most of the area around the port. Our Jeaneau can take you into the waters of Bembridge.

Chichester Harbour
Heading across to the mainland from the eastern shores of the Isle of Wight, and passing the entrance to Langstone Harbour brings us to the most easterly area of interest before Selsey Bill. Chichester Harbour is a vast expanse of water popular with sailing craft throughout the summer months. The western arm of the harbour, leading up to Emsworth is ahead as we cross the harbour bar, whilst bearing to starboard will lead via a marked channel to the village of Itchenor and on to Chichester Marina. For many visitors, however, the prospect of anchoring in the shallows immediately to the east of the harbour entrance is the big draw. A lazy afternoon can be spent here, swimming in the shallows, heading for the beach, or just lazing on the deck of your yacht drinking in the sun and the scenery.

Portsmouth
The largest town in the Solent area, apart from Southampton, Portsmouth is a large bustling port. Indeed the main marked channel leading into Portsmouth harbour is deceptive, as once inside the entrance there are choices to be made. On the western shore are two marinas at Gosport; tying up here allows an exploration of this maritime center, with several pubs and restaurants to choose from. Across the water, on the eastern shore is Portsmouth itself with the shops and restaurants of Gunwharf Quay, the stylish new waterside complex; ideal for a little retail therapy. Continuing past the naval installations of this major Royal Navy port it is possible to follow the marked channel and sail up as far as Port Solent, where the marina is lined with a choice of restaurants and shops that make for a long lazy lunch-stop.

South of the Isle of Wight
From the River Hamble, east along Southampton Water, south along the Solent to the Needles, west along the shore of the Isle of Wight east towards Chichester Harbour, circling back to Portsmouth Harbour and then back to Southampton. This is the cruising area we know best and, depending on your interests and wishes there are a number of different itineraries for your consideration.

Should you wish to sail further east, towards Brighton, or further west, towards Poole and Weymouth there are many more choices to be made, but for a day charter from Southampton the above are perhaps the key ingredients of a leisurely and luxurious day afloat.