Marinas

Manx harbours are administered by the Isle of Man Government and the lighthouses are maintained by the Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses in Scotland. Besides the four main harbours, there are good anchorages at Castletown in the south-east, Laxey Bay in the east and Port Erin in the south-west. There are also good anchorages in Derby Haven in the south-east; although the inner harbour dries. Most of the harbours are on the east and south sides but a visit to the west coast with its characteristic cliffs is worthwhile.

The sea has always played a large part in the Island's history. The sea surrounding the Isle of Man has long been a source of protection, of livelihood and in more recent times, a source of leisure activities, from sailing to scuba diving.

There is a tremendous variety of sailing from the Isle of Man - suitable for both experienced sailors and the novice, from the comparative calm of Douglas and Ramsey bays, to the rugged coastlines of the north and south of the Island. Whether its leisurely cruising or exhilarating racing, the Island is an ideal location. In addition, dinghy racing is becoming extremely popular, with regular races held on Sundays during the winter at Baldwin reservoir. The Round the Island Yacht Race is a major event in the Island's sailing calendar, but throughout the year there is a wide variety of races and trials to test sailing skills.

Set in the middle of the Irish Sea, the Island is very much a 'staging post' for visiting yachtsman from Ireland, the north-west coast of Engalnd, Wales, or south-west Scotland.