Watersports in Langstone
Enjoy the water. Give wildlife space.
Langstone Harbour is a special place. Its wide open water, sheltered creeks, and sweeping mudflats make it attractive for paddleboarding, kayaking, and other watersports - and they make it a vital home for thousands of birds and a resident population of harbour seals.
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Every time you head out, you're sharing space with wildlife that depends on the harbour to feed, rest, and raise young. With a few simple habits, you can help keep Langstone's wildlife safe all year round.
Meet Langstone's birds
In the winter, the Solent supports up to 125,000 waders and geese that travel thousands of miles to reach our coastline. These birds need calm, undisturbed time feeding and resting to build the energy reserves required to survive the cold and complete their migrations.​​
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In spring and summer, the harbour becomes equally important for breeding seabirds, including little terns that return from West Africa to nest along the Solent's shingle habitats. These birds are easily disturbed and rely on quiet places to incubate eggs and raise chicks.​
And don't forget the seals!
There are two species of seal that visit Langstone - Harbour seals and Grey seals, which haul out on mudflats and quiet creek edges to rest and care for pups. Pupping season is an incredibly sensitive time and, if disturbed, it can cause mothers to abandon their pups before they're able to feed themselves.
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If you spot a seal, enjoy it from a distance - they may flee or panic if you get too close, and pups are especially vulnerable.
View the map!
Bird Aware Solent has produced a map and guidance on where the sensitive sites are for your favourite harbours and coastal sites, as well as appropriate launching and recovering locations.
Safety on
the water
Langstone Harbour is shared by a wide range of commercial and leisure users, and can get very busy!
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At Langstone Harbour Board, we are dedicated to ensuring the safety of all watersports enthusiasts in Langstone. Our team maintains an active presence on the water between April and October, and often responding to incidents during the winter months.
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By following a few simple rules, you can help keep the water safe for everyone:
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Launching
- Check weather and tidal conditions.
- Be aware of other slipway users.
- No trailers or trolleys to be left at the top of the slipway.
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On the water
- Always wear an appropriate lifejacket or buoyancy aid.
- Always carry a means of calling for help i.e. VHF or mobile.
- Do not exceed the speed limit of 10 knots.
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​Activity specific advice is available via the RNLI.​
