Services are cancelled due to adverse weather. The next update will be 05.45 tomorrow 09/12/24. Tickets will be accepted on the Wightlink Fast Cat Service. –Please see our Disruption Contingency Plan web page.
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Hovertravel Sensory Journey

 

Ryde Terminal

Sights - expect to see…
  • A queue of people outside and inside.
  • Potential for a busy people environment, moving, not necessarily orderly.
  • Souvenir / sweet treats vending.
  • Televisions mounted on walls with advertisements.
Sound/hearing - expect to hear…
  • Hovercraft on the pad- loud engines.
  • Hustle & bustle of other passengers, including children & babies.
  • Gentle music playing in terminal.
  • Sounds from the coffee machine.
  • Dogs - Hovertravel is pet friendly.
Smell - expect to smell…
  • Coffee machine

 

Hovercraft

Sights - expect to see...
  • A queue of people from the terminal door to the front of the Hovercraft.
  • Potential for a busy people environment, moving, not necessarily orderly.
  • Freight, luggage, bikes and other passengers offloading from previous flights.
  • Pilots swapping over turns commanding the Hovercraft.
  • Possibility of engineering staff standing on side deck refueling Hovercraft.
  • Potential to be seated next to strangers.
  • Potential to be seated next to dogs or other pets.
  • Doors at front of Hovercraft closing & opening.
  • Safety video playing on screens, followed by advertisments.
  • Crew members walking around the craft. Possibly using a clicker, notepad or telephone.
  • Hovercraft skirt inflating, and Hovercraft lifting off the ground.
  • Hovercraft turning around, and moving at speed over the sea, sand and shingle.
  • Regular Sights out of the windows include spray, people, sand, sea, yachts, ships, hovercraft, small watercraft.
  • Bright sunlight reflecting off the sea surface.
Sound/hearing - expect to hear...
  • Hovercraft engines - Although the Hovercraft you are boarding will have engines off, there is the potential for another hovercraft to be running its engines which may be loud.
  • Potential for a fuel transfer pump to be operating if the craft is being refueled. It is loud and infrequent.
  • Audible alarm when the front doors of the Hovercraft are opened and closed.
  • An Audible Horn is sounded from the cockpit before the engines are turned on.
  • Noise from the safety announcement on departure & arrival.
  • Noise from the Public Address System.
  • Engine Noise when the engines are turned on.
  • Engine Noise as the Hovercraft lifts off the ground.
  • Occasional clanging and banging noise from the skirt underneath the hovercraft if it is a rough day with larger waves.
Smell - expect to smell…
  • On rare occasions, there may be a smell of Diesel when the craft is being refueled.
Feeling - expect to feel...
  • Vibrations from the engines will be felt in every seat on the hovercraft.
  • Vibrations from the waves striking the skirt will be felt if the weather is rough on the day.
  • The Hovercraft will move, bounce, and sway in a rough sea.
  • When embarking and disembarking, the ramp and steps may be wet, or have debris on them such as sand, seaweed, stones and shells.

 

Southsea Terminal

Sights - expect to see...
  • Potential to be busy at peak times.
  • Souvenir / sweet treats vending.
  • Televisions mounted on walls with advertisements.
Sound/hearing - expect to hear...
  • Hovercraft on the pad- loud engines.
  • Hustle & bustle of other passengers, including children & babies.
  • Gentle music playing in terminal.
  • Sounds from the coffee machine.
  • Dogs - Hovertravel is pet friendly.
Smell - expect to smell...
  • Coffee machine.

 

Hints & Tips when traveling with Hovertravel…


Whilst the below may seem obvious to some, They may prove useful on the day

  1. It is strongly recommended to buy a ticket in advance. This will guarantee your seat on a particular departure. You otherwise run the risk of waiting in a standby queue which is outside the terminal, and open to all weathers.
  2. If the weather is adverse, or it is a busy time of the day, for example, the service may be delayed. The staff in the terminal will update you.
  3. We assist the Local NHS with hospital patient transfers - Although relatively rare you may see an ambulance, ambulance staff and a sick patient on a stretcher. This in turn may also delay your departure time.
  4. Sometimes if the service is busy, additional crossing will be added to cope with the demand. You may end up on an earlier craft than booked on.
  5. Luggage will need to be placed in the luggage area on the Hovercraft.
  6. Small handheld bags are usually ok to keep on your lap.
  7. f you struggle with crowds and noise, we recommend traveling at quieter times of the day.
  8. Hovertravel is fairly busy at all times of the year, however during the music festivals and other events on both sides of the Solent some dates can be particularly busy. I would advise checking our website for events.
  9. All Toilets are Unisex. There is one normal public toilet in Ryde Terminal. At Both Southsea and Ryde there are also excellent Accessible Toilet.
  10. If you want to Watch the Hovercraft before traveling you can observe from Ryde seawall, or on the railway bridge. In Southsea you can get a good view from the beach.
  11. There are a good range of souvenirs and snacks available at each terminal - I have always found it a useful distraction.

Accommodations

  1. Hovertravel have dedicated ‘Hovercare’ Seating in both waiting rooms, and also onboard the Hovercraft. These are separate so the terminal staff, and the crew onboard know you may require a little more assistance.
  2. Hovertravel offer use of Eardefenders - please ask if you would like to borrow.
  3. We are signatories to the Sunflower movement - all staff will recognise this symbol for hidden disabilities.
  4. Our Staff are our greatest asset at Hovertravel and will be delighted to help you travel with us.