Pilsey Island
Another favourite for barbecues and the beach. Less crowded than the nearby East Head anchorage and beach, this is a bird sanctuary on the southern end of Thorney Island. You can walk round the shoreline, avoiding going into the bird sanctuary, to a massive (at low tide) sandy beach passing plenty of rock pools filled with tiddlers for the kids to chase. If you don't want to go ashore you can go further up the Thorney channel and anchor on either hand. Also on the port hand side further up the channel is the Thorney Yacht club where you can get ashore. One word of warning, the tide can run very fast so check before swimming from the boat.
Guide price : £3.50 harbour dues (2009/2010) :£3.60(2011) :£4(2013):£5(2017) (if the harbourmaster picks you out of the hundreds)
Pilsey Island looking south toward East Head and the entrance to Chichester harbour.
Looking north up the Thorney channel from Pilsey Island.
Keep your eyes open and you may see some of the local inhabitants.
Here are descriptions of some lunchtime visits, by boat, to various hostelries in Chichester harbour described by a friend who has a penchant for exploration...
