Link to the Isle of Wight (Wightlink Ferries)

Member Name: JJJJ

Product:	Wightlink Ferries
Date:	10/08/08 (163 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Catamaran is fairly quick

Disadvantages: Expensive

Wightlink ferries operate three main routes between the Isle of Wight and mainland England. These include; Ryde to Portsmouth - (Catamaran - 16 minutes), Fishbourne to Portsmouth (Car Ferry - 40 minutes), and Yarmouth to Lymington (Car Ferry - 30 minutes).

The route I am basing this review on is the Ryde to Portsmouth catamaran service, as I use it most frequently.

The Wightlink catamarans, known as 'Fastcats' are fairly new and comfortable, but are often in the process of being maintained or repaired. When this is the case, two older replacement vessels operate. These too are well kept and take roughly the same time to cross the Solent. The newer boats are slimmer in appearance, and feature onboard televisions which show Wightlink TV.

The timetable is regular with boats leaving from both Ryde and Portsmouth at quarter to and quarter past the hour.

Prices are costly, in fact if you calculate cost per distance, the 3 or 4 miles between Ryde and Portsmouth is one of the most expensive stretches of water in the world. An adult day return leaving from Ryde is £11.52, whilst a single is £8.80.

Wightlink operate a good service, but in my opinion, it's no better or worse than Red Funnel (the Island's rival ferry operator). It's a costly option for getting off the Island - but there aren't many other options to choose from.

Summary: Good service, high prices