History

Hovertravel, the only scheduled hovercraft operator in the world, was launched in 1965 and is the fastest Isle of Wight ferry service across the Solent. It is also the world’s longest running commercial hovercraft operator.

Hovertravel is a very environmentally friendly way to travel quickly between the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth. Our 12000TD craft, using the most modern mechanical innovations and technology found in a hovercraft today, can carry 12 tonnes of payload over 1.5 meters above the surface. There is no displacement of craft weight in the water and the hull is not in contact meaning marine life are left alone to their own devices.

The two engines which provide power for lift and thrust in the 12000TD are housed internally within the hull and therefore are too isolated from the ecosystems the hovercraft may be passing over instead of requiring the ecosystem to provide the material for propulsion.

This minimal amount of contact with the water also means the wash created when travelling at high speeds remains low. Marine environments can be travelled over in a sensitive, more direct manner, without needing to dredge and disturb it. 

Hovertravel, the only scheduled hovercraft operator in the world, was launched in 1965 and is the fastest Isle of Wight ferry service across the Solent. It is also the world’s longest running commercial hovercraft operator.

Hovertravel is a very environmentally friendly way to travel quickly between the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth. Our 12000TD craft, using the most modern mechanical innovations and technology found in a hovercraft today, can carry 12 tonnes of payload over 1.5 meters above the surface. There is no displacement of craft weight in the water and the hull is not in contact meaning marine life are left alone to their own devices.

The two engines which provide power for lift and thrust in the 12000TD are housed internally within the hull and therefore are too isolated from the ecosystems the hovercraft may be passing over instead of requiring the ecosystem to provide the material for propulsion.

This minimal amount of contact with the water also means the wash created when travelling at high speeds remains low. Marine environments can be travelled over in a sensitive, more direct manner, without needing to dredge and disturb it.