Tucked into the north-west corner of the Isle of Wight, The Hut at Colwell Bay has become one of Britain’s most talked-about seaside restaurants. As official partners of The Hut, Bluetooth RIB Charter can whisk you there in style, and book your table too. No ferry queues. No car parks. Just open water, sea air, and an arrival that makes the whole day feel like an occasion.
About The Hut
Established in 2013, The Hut began life as a modest beach bar beloved by locals and has grown into one of the UK’s most iconic shoreside restaurants. Positioned right on the water’s edge at Colwell Bay, it catches the sun from midday until last light, and the sunsets here, looking west across open water, are spectacular.
The menu is a brasserie-style celebration of fresh, local seafood: think lobster caught in the surrounding waters, seared seabass and gamba-loaded platters. The vibe is relaxed but lively, with music and rosé flowing in equal measure. Dress code? Think nautical chic, linen, deck shoes.
Official Partners
Bluetooth RIB Charter is proud to be an official partner of The Hut. That means when you book your RIB crossing with us, we can arrange your table at the restaurant as well. One booking, one point of contact, zero hassle. Just let us know your preferred date, time (12ish, 3ish or evening), group size, and we’ll take care of the rest.
Book your table & RIB crossing
THE ONLY WAY TO TRAVEL
Bluetooth RIB Charter, Your Private Solent Crossing
Forget the ferry. There is a far more exciting, more stylish and frankly more memorable way to reach The Hut, and it starts the moment you step aboard a Bluetooth RIB.
Bluetooth RIB Charter specialises in private water taxi transfers direct to The Hut at Colwell Bay, and once you’ve done it this way, you’ll never look back.
Who are Bluetooth RIB Charter?
Based at Hamble Point Marina in Southampton, about an hour and a half from London Waterloo by train.
Bluetooth RIB Charter operates two British-built Coastline RIBs: “Bluetooth” and “Happy Days”.
Both are coded, insured and equipped with all the safety equipment needed. They carry up to 8 passengers in comfort, and we are members of Sea Start, British Marine and the Professional Charter Association.
The Experience
Your skipper meets you at the marina pontoon, runs a thorough safety briefing and gets everyone kitted out with lifejackets.
Then you’re off, skimming across the Solent with the wind in your hair and the Isle of Wight growing on the horizon.
The crossing from Hamble to The Hut takes around 55 minutes, and on a fine day, your skipper can swing past The Needles for photographs. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins on the way.
On arrival, the RIB brings you right into Colwell Bay, where you board The Hut’s own tender for a short ride to the sea wall steps, and straight onto the terrace.
Alternatively, the RIB can land you in Yarmouth Harbour, where The Hut’s legendary restored 1970s military Land Rover is waiting to collect you. Either way, you arrive in style.
Charter Options
Skippered water taxi, the most popular choice. An experienced commercial skipper takes the wheel so you can relax, take in the views and have a drink over lunch without a care. Rates from £350 one way, £650 return to The Hut.
Bareboat charter (full day, 8 hrs) for qualified skippers with at least 3 years’ experience on a comparable vessel or an RYA Coastal Skipper certificate. Chart your own course, stop at The Hut, and explore the Solent. £475 for the day. This option is only available from Hamble Point.
Your Step-by-Step London to The Hut Journey
Bluetooth RIB Charter can pick you up from four convenient locations, each with its own rail connection from London. Choose the one that works best for you.
Step 1: Board a train at London Waterloo or London Victoria
South Western Railway operates frequent direct services from London Waterloo to all four of our boarding points or from London Victoria to Portsmouth Harbour. Aim for an early to mid-morning departure to make the most of a long, lazy lunch at The Hut.
Step 2: Pick the departure point that suits you best
Hamble Point Marina, Southampton
This is the main Bluetooth base. Catch a direct train from London Waterloo to either Southampton Airport Parkway or Southampton Central (around 1 hour 15 mins), then a 20-minute taxi to Hamble Point marina.
Parking permits are available for anyone driving.
Ocean Village Marina, Southampton.
Catch the direct London Waterloo train to Southampton Central. Then it’s 10-minutes by taxi or a 25-minute walk to Ocean Village.
Lymington, New Forest.
Catch the train from London Waterloo and change at Brockenhurst to Lymington Town (around 2 hours). Step off the train in one of the Solent’s most charming towns. We’ll pick you up from Lymington Town Quay.
If anyone is driving, we’ll pick you up from the Harbour Master’s Pontoon as it’s next to the long stay car park.
This is one of our most popular pick-up points for The Hut.
Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth
You can board either at London Waterloo or Victoria and get the train directly to Portsmouth Harbour. Step off the train, and it’s a 10-minute walk through Gunwharf Quays to the marina.
Step 3: Arrive at The Hut, Colwell Bay
Your RIB takes you right into Colwell Bay. You’ll either board The Hut’s own tender for the final short approach to the sea wall steps, or land in Yarmouth Harbour where The Hut’s legendary restored 1970s military Land Rover 101 is waiting to collect you. Either way, within minutes, you’re on the (hopefully) sun-drenched terrace with a cold glass in hand.
Step 4: Homeward, return across the Solent
Your skipper returns to collect you at a pre-arranged time. All return journeys operate during daylight hours, so plan accordingly. A long lunch is the sweet spot, then head back to your boarding point and the train home to London.
Essential Tips Before You Go
📅 Book Early
The Hut is enormously popular on summer weekends. Tables will book months in advance. We suggest you book your restaurant reservation as soon as you have a date in mind. We are happy to help you with your reservation.
The same applies to your RIB charter: Bluetooth gets booked up well in advance, particularly from May through September.
👕 What to Wear
The RIB crossing is a brisk, open-water experience, even in summer. Bring a windproof layer and wear shoes you don’t mind getting a little spray on. The Hut itself has a relaxed nautical vibe, think smart-casual; linen, navy, deck shoes.
🌊 Check the Conditions
Your skipper will always prioritise safety, and RIB crossings are subject to sea conditions. Bluetooth RIB Charter will contact you in advance if weather makes a crossing inadvisable and will help you rearrange for another date.
🦞 The Menu
The Hut serves brasserie-style food centred around fresh seafood. Dietary requirements and plant-based options are also available; current menus are shown on their website here.
One Booking. The Whole Day Sorted.
As official partners of The Hut, we can book your table and your RIB crossing together. Simply get in touch with us at Bluetooth RIB Charter, tell us your date, time you’d like to be seated (12ish, 3ish or evening) group size, and we’ll handle the rest.