Ferry returning from Hurst Castle

How to get here

Ferry Times

Ferry from Keyhaven to Hurst Castle departs 10am then approximately every 20-30 minutes. The last ferry from Hurst Castle to Keyhaven is at 5.30pm. The ferry operates daily from 27th March – 3rd November 2024.

Ferry Prices

Single Fares:

Adult:£5.50
Child:£4.00
Children under 3:FREE

Return Fares:

Adult:£8.00
Child:£6.00
Children under 3:FREE

Ferry tickets can only be purchased on board the ferry on the day of your visit
or at the kiosk at the castle entrance.

Please note, the ferry timetable is dependent on weather, tide times and passenger numbers. The Keyhaven river is tidal, and although we operate a ferry service within our opening hours, at low tides this is only possible with our smaller vessels. Our fleet consists of 11- and 12-seater vessels which can be used during any tide and a 94-seater vessel which can only be used during high tides. Therefore, ferry wait times are approximate and are dependent on several factors.

We pre-book group visits when the Keyhaven river is at high tide – when we can use our 94-seater vessel to reduce wait times for passengers. Please note, in this instance, any pre-booked group will be boarded first, due to scheduling and tide times.

There is no visitor vehicle access to Hurst Castle, access is either a leisurely ferry ride from Keyhaven or a 2-mile walk along Hurst Spit. Parking for the ferry is available at Keyhaven
Pay and Display car park (SO41 0TP).

If you choose to walk to Hurst Castle, there is a pay and display car park on the seafront at Milford on Sea (SO41 0TY). It is approximately a 2-mile walk along Hurst Spit to the castle from both Keyhaven and Milford on Sea car parks. Please note this is a shingle spit, sturdy footwear is advised and prams are arduous to push. There are no public toilets outside of the castle, the castle toilets are for visitors to Hurst Castle only.

Children queuing for ferry to Hurst Castle
Hurst Castle ferryman counting tickets
Hurst Castle ferry boat from the side
Visitors walking on Hurst Castle jetty