Enjoy Milford on Sea: Round the Island Race this Saturday

Early this Saturday, 7th June 2025, the annual Round the Island Race will leave Cowes as the spectacular sailing fleet races up The Solent and around the Needles.

Not long after 8am, for around two to three hours, this enormous and colourful array of sailing yachts of all shapes and sizes is expected to pass Milford on Sea and Hurst Castle.

If you have not seen this iconic event before, it is one of the most amazing sights in yacht racing.

The race features around 1,400 yachts and over 16,000 sailors. They start at Cowes in phases and race over 50 miles anticlockwise around the Isle of Wight. Depending on the type of yacht and the wind, the course takes from 3 hours to 10 hours to complete.

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Where to Watch the Round the Island Race

Hurst Castle and Hurst Spit are two of the best vantage points to watch this spectacular event as the fleet of yachts jostles for position.

The Hurst Castle Ferry departs from the quay at Keyhaven Harbour to the castle from 8am. The ferry then runs at 45-minute intervals. No booking required.

Refreshments

The Hurst Castle Café will be open for breakfast and refreshments.

*If you also wish to visit Hurst Castle at the same time, you can pre-book your tickets at: www.hurstcastle.co.uk.

The Lighthouse on the seafront at the village end of Hurst Spit will also be open from 8am. It will serve takeaway coffee, sausage sandwiches, hot snacks, and ice cream from 'The Hatch' on the building's side.

The Lighthouse restaurant opens at 8.45am if you would like a full breakfast.

If you would like to book a table for breakfast, please click here.

The Gun Inn in Keyhaven will open at 8am to offer tea, coffee, and bacon sandwiches for anyone heading to watch the Round the Island Race at Hurst Castle or Hurst Spit.

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About the Round the Island Race

www.roundtheisland.org.uk

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Hurst Castle