A new ferry has been put into place on the crossing between Hayling Island and the National trust East Head, aiming to encourage tourism and reduce traffic.

The ferry, which opened on the 3rd April 2026, departing from Sparks Marina on Hayling Island travels the fifteen minute journey across to the National trust East Head, accommodating tourists and foot passengers.

The idea for the new ferry crossing was finalised by Patrick White, 35, an instructor and skipper who runs many boat excursions around the Chichester area with the company Chichester Boat Charters.

Patrick said: “This is primarily aimed at walkers and cyclists” and that “It’s not going to be like the Hayling ferry on the other side which is a commuter route.”

The ferry aims to reduce road traffic issues caused by the one road on and off the island, by doing this it’s striving for environmental improvement.

Patrick said: “With the opening of the King Charles Footpath we plan to push for sustainability to get less cars on the road.

“We’re really pushing for people to leave the cars at home.”

The charter company primarily runs short excursions exploring the Chichester harbour area, so this ferry route expands the companies services.

Patrick said: “The master plan is that I want to keep this route running and then I’d like to operate more ferry routes.

“My end goal is to have ferry’s that run from Hayling Island all the way to Chichester Harbour.”

The ferry is open-top, which poses weather-related issues, however Patrick White said: “There’s no such thing as bad weather. there’s only bad clothing”.

The Hayling Ferry, which runs from West Hayling island to Eastney in Portsmouth, is the only other non-vehicle route on and off the island, making both ferry’s necessary for reducing heavy traffic.

For more information on the ferry, or any of Chichester Harbour Charter’s other excursions, visit https://chichesterharbourcharters.co.uk