This area covers the coast from Rye Bay in the east to Selsey Bill in the west.
Much of this shoreline is fronted by a succession of seaside towns. A notable exception is the area around Beachy Head and this is the reason why paddlers will most likely travel to this area.
Shoreham: High water is 9 minutes after high water at Dover
Seaford: High water is 4 minutes after high water at Dover
Eastbourne: High water is 5 minutes before high water at Dover
Rye Bay: High water is 5 minutes before high water at Dover
Rye Harbour entrance: The south-east going stream begins at at high water at Dover. The north-west going stream begins at 5 hours and 20 minutes before high water at Dover. The in-going stream is stronger than the outgoing stream, reaching 3.5 knots at springs and is reported to sometimes reach 5 knots.
Rye Bay: The north-east going stream begins at 3 hours before high water at Dover. The south-west going stream begins at 3 hours after high water at Dover. The flow reaches a speed of 1 knots at springs. Flow is slack from 1 hour after high water Dover until the south west going stream starts.
Beachy Head: The east going stream begins at 5 hours and 15 minutes before high water at Dover. The west going stream begins at 15 minutes after high water at Dover. The east going stream reaches a speed of 2.6 knots at springs. The west going stream reaches a speed of 2 knots at springs. Overfalls can form when wind opposes tide here. Away from the head, streams are generally less than half a knot.
Newhaven Harbour entrance: The south south-east going stream begins at 1 hours after high water at Dover. The north north-west going stream begins at 5 hours and 45 minutes before high water at Dover. The flow reaches a speed of 2 knots at springs. The stream is faster in the northern part of the the harbour.
Between Shoreham and Beachy Head: The east south-east going stream begins at 6 hours after high water at Dover. The west north-west going stream begins at 1 hours before high water at Dover. The east south-east going stream reaches a speed of 1.7 knots at springs. The west north-west going stream reaches a speed of 1 knots at springs.
Across Shoreham Harbour entrance: The east going stream begins at 4 hours and 15 minutes after high water at Dover. The west going stream begins at 1 hours and 45 minutes before high water at Dover. The flow reaches a speed of 1 knots at springs. The west-going stream runs into the harbour, most strongly between 45 minutes before high water at Dover until 15 minutes after high water at Dover. The out-going stream begins 1 hour and 15 minutes after high water Dover.
Littlehampton Harbour entrance: The south south-east going stream begins at 2 hours after high water at Dover. The north north-west going stream begins at 4 hours before high water at Dover. The flow reaches a speed of 6 knots at springs. The stream turns an hour earlier at neaps
Off Bognor Regis: The east north-east going stream begins at 4 hours and 30 minutes after high water at Dover. The west south-west going stream begins at 1 hours and 30 minutes before high water at Dover. The east north-east going stream reaches a speed of 0.8 knots at springs. The west south-west going stream reaches a speed of 1 knots at springs.
Pagham Harbour: Tidal streams in the entrance to the harbour can be strong.
Selsey Bill: The east going stream begins at 4 hours and 30 minutes after high water at Portsmouth. The west going stream begins at 1 hours and 30 minutes before high water at Portsmouth. The east going stream reaches a speed of 2.4 knots at springs. The west going stream reaches a speed of 2.6 knots at springs. Flows may be closer to 1 knot in each direction inshore.
Selsey tide race*: A race forms on a concrete groyne near the tip of Selsey Bill during the west-going stream.
Shoreham Harbour: The Harbour Radio uses VHF channel 14.
Camber Broomhill Sands: (TQ 981 182) g Large car park along the road by the beach. Height barriers.
Camber Sands main car park: (TQ 965 186) g Large car park by the beach. Walk across the Sands may be long at low tide.
Rye Harbour: (TQ 943 191) g Large slipway. Large car park a short walk to the south west.
Cliff End: (TQ 894 137) g A reasonable amount of roadside parking on the road by the beach.
Hastings: (TQ 828 094) g Large car park by the beach
Eastbourne: (TV 614 984) g Parking along much of the Grand Parade road, which runs along the beach
Seaford Esplanade: (TV 487 983) g Parking all along the beach.
Seaford Marine parade: (TV 476 992) g Parking along much of the beach.
Rottingdean: (TQ 370 021) g A small gap in the cliffs allows access the beach down a short path from a busy street. There is a car park just to the east.
Shoreham Harbour: (TQ 234 049) g Parking (height barrier) next to the lighthouse, rowing club and lifeboat station.
Littlhampton West Beach: (TQ 028 012) g Small pay and display car park, with easy access to the beach to the south or the river to the north.
Littlehampton, Fishermans Quay: (TQ 026 019) g Public slipway in front of RNLI boathouse. Pay and display car park behind the boathouse.
Arundel: (TQ 019 070) g Pontoon on river right just downstream of the bridge. Mill Road car park is 100m to the east.
Pulborough, River Arun: (TQ 046 185) g Slipway. Limited parking available just over a footbridge.
Selsey East Beach: (SZ 867 934) g Large car park, with 100 m walk to slipway.
Selsey Marine Gardens: (SZ 850 924) g Car park with height barrier by the shingle beach.
Shoreham Sailing club*: (TQ 232 048) g Free parking, access to river at all states of the tide.
Shoreham Adur Canoe club*: (TQ 211 050) g Large car park, access to river. Likely better away from low water.
Selsey Grafton Road*: (SZ 856 922) g Road with space to park running down to beach. Nearest launch point to Selsey tide race, just to the east.
Beachy Head: The area around Beachy Head provides a welcome relief from the endless seaside towns that pervade much of the coastline in this region. The trip is normally paddled between Seaford and Eastbourne. Although the tide is not strong, it makes sense to paddle with it, unless the wind is a bigger factor. It is possible to get in at the Birling Gap, but this would involve carrying boats down the twisting metal staircase used to access the beach - probably only sensible as an emergency escape option. It is possible to shuttle using the bus service that runs along the A259. The highlights of the trip are the chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters, and the cliffs and lighthouse at Beachy Head itself.
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