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Port of Swanage

GBSWE🇬🇧United Kingdom

Port Location

About Port of Swanage

Swanage is a pier located on the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset, England. It serves as a harbor for local vessels and is equipped with pilotage and tug services.

Background
Swanage is a coastal town and civil parish in the south-east of Dorset, England. It lies at the eastern end of the Isle of Purbeck and is one of its two towns, approximately 6+1⁄4 miles (10 km) south of Poole and 25 miles (40 km) east of Dorchester. In the 2011 census, the civil parish had a population of 9,601. Nearby are Ballard Down and Old Harry Rocks, with Studland Bay and Poole Harbour to the north; within the parish are Durlston Bay and Durlston Country Park to the south of the town. The parish also includes the areas of Herston, just to the west of the town, and Durlston, just to the south.

Current Conditions

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Vessel Limits

Channel Depth
5ft
Tidal Range
2ft

Operations & Services

Port of Entry
Yes
Pilotage Compulsory
Yes
Tug Assistance
Yes
Cranes
Mobile
Drydock
Unknown
Repair Code
C

References & Identifiers

WPI No.
35480 →
GeoNames ID
11102859 →
Wikidata
Q1009298 →
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →

Identification

UN/LOCODE
GBSWE
Country
🇬🇧United Kingdom
Time Zone
UTC+0
Feature Type
PIER (Pier)

Classification

Type
Port
Harbor Type
River natural
Shelter
None

Region

Subdivision
GB-DOR
Area
UK Coast & Atlantic
Sub-area
English Channel
Latitude
50.6112°
Longitude
-1.9522°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I navigate the approach to the Port of Swanage?+
The approach to Swanage is supported by 5 navigation aids within 50 nautical miles. The nearest is Portland Breakwater Fort Head Lighthouse at 17.7 NM to the W. Other aids include Portland Breakwater B Head (18.3 NM W), Portland Breakwater C Head (18.3 NM W), Calshot Castle (24.7 NM ENE), Southampton City Lightship and Lighthouses (27.3 NM NE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart and List of Lights for full approach details.
What major shipping routes pass near the Port of Swanage?+
The Port of Swanage is located within the English Channel / North Sea corridor — one of the world's busiest maritime corridors connecting the Atlantic to Northern European ports. This strategic position influences vessel traffic density, anchorage availability, and port scheduling.
How do I track vessels arriving at or departing from the Port of Swanage?+
You can track vessels near Swanage (GBSWE) in real time using MarineRadar. The platform displays live AIS positions of nearby ships, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page or search for GBSWE on the live map.
What are the operating hours and time zone for the Port of Swanage?+
The Port of Swanage operates in the UTC+0 time zone. Operating hours, VTS schedules, and pilot availability vary — vessel agents should confirm with the port authority in advance, especially for night arrivals or weekend operations.