Southampton Water D-Day Heritage Tour
Cruise the waters where the D-Day invasion fleet gathered on a RIB tour from Southampton.
Service Description
Board a Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) at Ocean Village and cruise the waters where the D-Day invasion fleet gathered. Hear wartime stories, learn about secret agents, and discover the history of Spitfire pilots. Depart from Ocean Village Marina and board a Ribeye 785 RIB for a 2-hour guided tour with live commentary at every waypoint. Once clear of the speed-restricted zone, open up to 20–25 knots, covering ground no walking tour or bus could reach. Head down Southampton Water and pass the mouth of the River Hamble, wartime home of the Air Transport Auxiliary, where a remarkable corps of women pilots ferried Spitfires fresh from the factories, often unarmed and without radios. Off Lepe, hold position where the giant concrete Phoenix caissons were built in plain sight on the beach, vast floating harbor sections towed across the Channel to create the Mulberry Harbors that supplied the invasion. At the entrance to the Beaulieu River, hear the story of HMS Mastodon, the shore establishment hidden among the trees at Exbury, and of the Special Operations Executive's "finishing school" upriver at Beaulieu, where secret agents completed their training before being dropped into occupied Europe. Throughout, your qualified commercial skipper delivers a researched, accurate commentary. With a maximum of ten guests aboard, every seat has a clear view and every question gets answered.
Upcoming Sessions
Cancellation Policy
Booking Policy Skippered charters only. Every Anchor Charters trip is operated by our qualified, commercially endorsed skipper. We do not offer bareboat or self-drive hire. Payment. Full payment is taken at the time of booking to secure your charter or tour. For bespoke and wedding charters, a non-refundable 20% deposit secures your date, with the balance due 21 days before the event (bookings made within 21 days are payable in full). If we cancel. If we have to cancel because weather makes the trip unsafe, or due to mechanical failure of the vessel, you choose: a full refund or a credit to rebook on another date. Your skipper makes the weather call — safety always comes first. If you cancel. More than 21 days before your trip: full refund 14–21 days before: 50% refund Fewer than 14 days before: no refund Timings. Charters and tours run to schedule. Please arrive 15 minutes before departure; late arrival cannot extend your time on the water. On board. Your skipper has absolute authority over the vessel and everyone aboard. Please tell us about any medical conditions when you book — treated in strict confidence, and essential for your safety at sea. The vessel carries full third-party liability insurance for skippered charter operations. Full details are set out in our Booking Policy and Terms & Conditions.
Contact Details
The Solent, United Kingdom