Travelling with pet Isle of Wight
Travelling with pet Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is one of the most pet-friendly destinations in the UK. With miles of coastal paths and sweeping sandy beaches, it is one of the best places in England to visit with a four-legged companion.
Whether you are travelling for a family holiday with the dog on the beach at Compton Bay, or a touring trip around the island's countryside with your cat in the back seat, taking the ferry to the Isle of Wight is the easiest way to bring your pet along.
The ferry routes from the mainland to the Isle of Wight are provided by Wightlink and Red Funnel. Both operators allow pets on board their ferries at no extra charge, with dedicated pet-friendly lounge areas, outdoor deck access, and flexible options for animals that prefer to stay in the car.
For more information, also read our page on travelling with pets by ferry. Continue reading to find out everything you need to know to get your pet from the mainland to the Isle of Wight by ferry.
The Isle of Wight is part of England, which means there are no border controls, no documentation requirements, and no pet passports or health certificates required to bring your pet across the Solent. Your dog, cat, rabbit, or other small animal can travel on the Isle of Wight ferry without any advance veterinary preparation, and with no additional fees from either Wightlink or Red Funnel.
Although the process is simple compared to travelling with pets to France or the Republic of Ireland, both operators do have strict rules about where pets can stay on board and how they must be secured. Understanding these before you travel will make the crossing smoother for your pet and for everyone else on board.
There are three car ferry routes to the Isle of Wight, all of which welcome pets on board free of charge. Wightlink provides the Portsmouth to Fishbourne ferry and the Lymington to Yarmouth ferry, while Red Funnel provides the Southampton to East Cowes ferry. All three routes accept dogs, cats, and other small animals.
The main routes and operators are:
Portsmouth Gunwharf is the departure port for the Portsmouth to Fishbourne ferry, with up to 25 sailings per day in summer. Travelling with a pet from Portsmouth is entirely straightforward: pets travel free on Wightlink and do not need to be pre-booked. Simply declare your pet at check-in by letting the staff know you have an animal on board, and they will give you any relevant instructions about the pet-friendly areas. If you are travelling to the Isle of Wight with a car, you can leave your pet in the vehicle or take it to the designated Pet Friendly Area.
Before you board the ferry, there is a grass area close to the Portsmouth ferry terminal where you can walk your dog. Please make use of this, as both operators ask owners to give their pets a proper toilet break before boarding. At the terminal building, keep your dog on a lead at all times.
The Lymington to Yarmouth ferry is widely considered the most scenic of the three vehicle crossings to the Isle of Wight, passing through the western Solent with views of Hurst Castle and arriving at the picturesque harbour of Yarmouth. The crossing takes approximately 40 minutes on the Wight Sun or Wight Light ferry, and pets travel free without advance booking on both vessels.
At Lymington ferry terminal, there is a small grassy area adjacent to the car park where dogs can be walked before boarding. The terminal is located close to the New Forest, so many dog owners decide to stop for a walk in the forest before the crossing, making this the most dog-friendly departure experience of the three routes.
On board, the Pet Friendly Area is situated at the opposite end of the lounge from the café area, as with all Wightlink vessels. The 40-minute crossing is short enough that many dog owners simply keep their dog on the lead beside them in the designated area for the full crossing without any issues. The outdoor deck on these smaller vessels is also accessible and popular with dogs who enjoy the sea air.
The ferry from Southampton to East Cowes with Red Funnel takes approximately 1 hour and transports pets on its Red Eagle, Red Osprey, Red Kestrel, and Red Falcon vessels.
The North Lounge on A Deck provides comfortable seating for owners, water bowls, and an onboard café serving a variety of hot and cold drinks and snacks, as well as treats for dogs in the lounge. Dogs are also allowed to walk on the passenger decks (Decks A and AA), a spacious outdoor area where they can enjoy the sea air and admire the views across the Solent.
At Southampton Town Quay, there is a small area near the terminal building where you can walk your dog before boarding. Dogs are also welcome on Red Funnel's Red Jet high-speed foot passenger ferry from Southampton to West Cowes, making Red Funnel the only Isle of Wight operator with dog-friendly options on both its car ferry and its foot passenger service.
Please note that you do not need to book into the North Lounge in advance as seating is first-come, first-served. If the lounge is full, don’t hesitate to speak to a crew member, and they will do their best to accommodate you.
The way your pet travels onboard depends on which vessel and option you choose. Unlike the overnight ferries to Ireland or France, the Isle of Wight crossings are short enough that the crossing is a manageable experience for almost all dogs and cats, even those who don’t regularly travel on ferries.
There are three options on all three routes: your pet remains in your vehicle on the car deck, your pet accompanies you in the pet-friendly lounge area, or your pet enjoys the outdoor deck in good weather.
Pets in vehicles is the most convenient option and is available on all three car ferry routes to the Isle of Wight. Your pet remains in your car for the entirety of the crossing. Leave a window slightly open for ventilation, provide fresh water, and ensure the car is not exposed to direct sun on a warm day. Please be aware that once the ship is sailing, you will not be able to return to the car deck to check on your pet. Both operators have staff who will monitor the car deck visually, but the car deck is not accessible to passengers once the sailing is underway.
On the Portsmouth to Fishbourne ferry with Wightlink, the 45-minute crossing is the most popular Isle of Wight ferry route for pet owners due to its frequency and the convenience of Portsmouth as a hub for the south-east.
Every Wightlink vessel operating on this route has a Pet Friendly Area on the passenger deck, separate from the main lounge and food service areas. Pets must stay either in this area or in the vehicle, and are subsequently not permitted in the main passenger lounges, shops, or café areas.
On the Southampton to East Cowes ferry with Red Funnel, the 1-hour crossing provides the most pet-friendly experience of any Isle of Wight ferry. The North Lounge on A Deck is a designated area for dogs and their owners, equipped with comfortable seating, water bowls, a café serving refreshments including treats for dogs, and easy access to the outer deck.
On the Lymington to Yarmouth ferry with Wightlink, the 40-minute crossing on the Wight Sun or Wight Light is perfectly suitable for dogs. The Pet Friendly Area is located at the opposite end of the lounge from the café area and is clearly signposted. The outdoor deck is also accessible in good weather. As with all Wightlink ferries, pets must be kept on a lead or in a carrier at all times when in the passenger areas.
Upon arrival in the Isle of Wight, carefully follow the crew's instructions to return to the vehicle deck approximately 5 to 10 minutes before docking. Please keep your dog on a lead or your cat in their carrier throughout the disembarkation process. On all routes, the arrival terminals are adjacent to green areas where you can give your pet a proper walk and toilet break before proceeding with your journey.
The Fishbourne ferry terminal is a relatively quiet port on the north coast of the Isle of Wight, with a car park and a small grassy area located adjacent to the terminal building where dogs can be walked immediately after leaving the ferry.
The A3054 linking eastwards to Ryde and westwards to Newport passes through pleasant countryside within a few minutes of the terminal, where there are several footpaths accessible from the roads. Wootton Creek, just east of the terminal, is a popular spot for a dog walk shortly after arrival.
[IMAGE: A dog being walked along the waterside path near Fishbourne terminal on the Isle of Wight immediately after disembarking the Wightlink ferry, with Wootton Creek visible and the green north coast of the island ahead]
The East Cowes ferry terminal opens directly onto the East Cowes waterfront. Dogs can be walked along the waterfront immediately after departing the ferry. Alternatively, there is an area of open grass close to the terminal suitable for exercising your pet. The floating bridge foot and cycle crossing to West Cowes is nearby and gives access to the dog-friendly promenade and seafront of Cowes town if you wish to explore before heading further afield.
The Yarmouth ferry terminal drops passengers directly into the centre of Yarmouth town. The town's harbour, castle, and riverside quay can all be reached on foot from the terminal, as can the tidal mudflats of the western Yar estuary, which provide a pleasant waterside walk for dogs.
The beach at Colwell Bay, located approximately 3km south-west of the terminal, is one of the island's most dog-friendly beaches and is popular with visitors who have just arrived on the Lymington ferry. The pubs and cafés of Yarmouth town are also dog-friendly.
Yes, pets travel completely free on both Wightlink and Red Funnel car ferries. On Wightlink ferries, there is no need to pre-book your pet at all — simply declare that you are travelling with an animal when you check in at the terminal. On Red Funnel, it is good practice to mention your pet when booking, though no separate fee applies. Dogs are also welcome free of charge on Red Funnel's Red Jet high-speed foot passenger service from Southampton to West Cowes.
The best choice depends on where you are travelling from and where you want to arrive on the island. The Portsmouth to Fishbourne ferry with Wightlink is the most convenient crossing for those travelling from the M27, the south-east, and London, with up to 25 sailings per day and a Pet Friendly Area on board.
The Lymington to Yarmouth ferry with Wightlink is widely considered the most scenic route and is convenient for those heading to the western side of the island. The Southampton to East Cowes ferry with Red Funnel has the best choice of pet-friendly facilities, including the North Lounge with water bowls, dog treats, and outdoor deck access.
No, as the Isle of Wight is part of England, no health certificates, pet passports, or veterinary preparation of any kind are required to take your pet on the ferry. Your standard UK dog registration, microchip, and insurance are the only pet-related documents you should take with you, though these are not inspected at the port. There are also no border checks and no animal health requirements specific to the Isle of Wight crossing.
Yes, Wightlink and Red Funnel allow cats and other small animals on their ferries. Cats need to be kept in a secure carrier throughout the duration of the crossing and may not travel in the main passenger lounges or food service areas. Cats can remain in your vehicle or be transported in their carrier to the pet-friendly area on the passenger deck.
Unfortunately, you cannot stay with your pet during the crossing to the Isle of Wight. Access to the vehicle deck is strictly forbidden for passengers during the crossing on any Isle of Wight car ferry. Once the ship is sailing, you must remain in the passenger areas for your own safety.
If you leave your pet in the car, staff will conduct regular visual checks of the car deck during the crossing, but you will not be able to go below to comfort your animal mid-journey. For pets that cannot be left alone comfortably for 40 minutes to 1 hour, the pet-friendly lounges or outdoor decks are a much better option.
There are currently no dog breeds that are banned from sailing on Isle of Wight ferries. However, Wightlink has specific rules for XL Bully dogs after the UK Government's introduction of the Dangerous Dogs Act. XL Bully dogs that are registered, neutered, microchipped, and covered by insurance under the exemption scheme are allowed to travel with Wightlink, subject to the operator's current XL Bully travel policy. Any dog subject to the Dangerous Dogs Act must be muzzled and kept on a lead in public at all times.
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