Watersports near Selsey

Sailing, kayaking and paddleboarding on the coast

The waters around Selsey and the Manhood Peninsula offer a range of watersports, though the conditions and facilities are more suited to experienced practitioners than beginners. The tidal currents around Selsey Bill are strong, the waters can be rough, and the beaches are shingle rather than sand, which limits the casual beach-based watersports that feature at sandier resorts.

Sailing is well served by the clubs and facilities in the wider area. Chichester Harbour, to the west of the Manhood Peninsula, is one of the finest natural harbours on the south coast and a major centre for sailing. The harbour is sheltered, with deep channels and extensive mud flats that dry at low tide. Several yacht clubs and sailing schools operate from the harbour, offering dinghy sailing, keelboat sailing, cruiser racing and training. Itchenor, Bosham and Emsworth are the main sailing centres within the harbour. For Selsey residents who sail, Chichester Harbour is the natural base.

Kayaking and canoeing are popular around the Selsey coast. The sheltered waters of Pagham Harbour are suitable for beginners and casual paddlers, particularly on calm days and at higher states of the tide. The harbour provides a beautiful setting for kayaking, with views of the bird life and the coastline. The open coast around Selsey Bill is more challenging and is suited to experienced kayakers who are comfortable in tidal waters.

Stand-up paddleboarding has grown in popularity and is practised along the Selsey coast and in Pagham Harbour. The flat, calm waters of the harbour on a still day are ideal for paddleboarding, and the wildlife encounters possible while paddling quietly through the harbour are a particular attraction.

Windsurfing and kitesurfing are practised at nearby beaches, particularly at East Wittering and Bracklesham Bay to the west, where the beaches are more suited to these sports. The Witterings have a well-established surfing and watersports culture, and equipment hire and instruction are available.

Swimming from Selsey's beaches is possible but requires caution. The shingle is uncomfortable underfoot, the water can be cold outside of the summer months, and the currents around Selsey Bill are powerful. There is no lifeguard service on Selsey's beaches, and swimmers should be aware of the tidal conditions before entering the water.

For Selsey residents interested in watersports, the combination of the open coast, Pagham Harbour and nearby Chichester Harbour provides a good range of options, though the facilities and instruction tend to be based at the harbour clubs rather than in Selsey itself.