WEYMOUTH & PORTLAND SHIP SPOTTING ...

Paul Dallaway has kindly assembled the guide below …

The best Ship Spotting places? ... those listed here are my favourites for Weymouth and Portland ... find out what is about from Marine Traffic VTS or any AIS provider.

Trip Boats, Coastline Cruises or Ferry Steps  both will take you close to ships especially Portland Harbour or for Weymouth Bay try a  Jurassic Cruise for ships at anchor in the bay or bunkering.

Bowleaze Cove for shots into  Weymouth Bay.

Weymouth Harbour Stone Pier shots into Weymouth Bay.

Newton’s Cove, Noth Gardens, covers Portland Breakwater for that shot as a ship transits the entrance to Portland Harbour and picks up (or drops off) a Pilot , a good time is the evening when a cruise ship departs or two.

Small Mouth at Ferry Bridge for shots into Portland Harbour looking towards the Island ... good for ships at anchor inside the Breakwater.

Portland Castle/ Marina/ Castletown for shots into the Southern section of the harbour covering Queens Pier also Mulberry Phoenix Section.

Drive up to the top of Portland before going through the entrance to the Vern there is a small lay by for view overlooking the Cruise Berths and tugs.

Drive through the entrance passed the Prison to  the Jailhouse Cafe plenty of parking for views overlooking Cruise Berths including the  new Deep Water Berth,  Cable Ships, RFA, Bunkers Berths,  TS Sir Tristan. This viewpoint looks over the closed Southern Entrance blocked by HMS HOOD in 1914.

From Jailhouse Cafe you will get a panoramic view of Harbour and Bay.

POOLE SHIP SPOTTING ...

The Haven Car Park … close-up of ships passing Poole Harbour entrance

Poole Quay … local craft and distant view of cargo and ferry port operations

Harbour trip boats … as long as you can relax into an hour + pleasure cruise there are brief opportunities passing the port operations outbound from Poole Quay and inbound when returning - you may be able to influence the skipper on route / speed on some trips