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 — navy, 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 too — one booking, one point of contact, zero hassle. Just let us know your preferred date, time and group size and we’ll take care of the rest.
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 at Hamble Point Marina. 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 — just over an hour from London Waterloo by direct train — Bluetooth RIB Charter operates two British-built Coastline RIBs: “Bluetooth” and “Happy Days”. Both are fully MCA coded, insured and equipped with Raymarine colour chart plotters, AIS, VHF radio and adult lifejackets. They carry up to 8 passengers in comfort and are members of both 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 35 minutes, and on a fine day your skipper can swing past The Needles for photographs. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins — they’re a regular sight in these waters.
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 101 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. From £350 one way to The Hut.
- Bareboat charter (half day, 4 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, explore the Solent.
- Bareboat charter (full day, 8 hrs) — combine a long, lazy lunch at The Hut with a visit to The Needles, a stop at Lymington or a cruise around the island. The perfect full Solent day.
- Hamble Point Marina, Southampton — the main base; direct trains from London Waterloo to Southampton Central, then a short taxi to the marina
- Ocean Village Marina, Southampton — right in the city centre, just minutes from Southampton Central station. Perfect if you want to head straight to the water on arrival.
- Lymington — a beautiful market town on the edge of the New Forest. Direct trains from London Waterloo to Lymington Pier make this an effortlessly easy boarding point
- Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth — ideal if you’re coming from London Waterloo via Portsmouth Harbour. Step off the train, walk to the water’s edge and board. Gunwharf is also a great spot for a coffee before you set off.
Your Step-by-Step London to The Hut Journey
Bluetooth RIB Charter can pick you up from four convenient locations, each with its own direct rail connection from London. Choose the one that works best for you.
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Step 1 — London
Board a train at London Waterloo
South Western Railway operates frequent direct services from London Waterloo to all four of our boarding points. Aim for an early to mid-morning departure to make the most of a long, lazy lunch at The Hut.
Step 2 — Choose Your Boarding Point
Pick the departure that suits you best
Hamble Point Marina, Southampton — around 1 hr 15 mins from Waterloo to Southampton Central, then a 20-minute taxi to the marina. Parking permits available if you’re driving down.
Ocean Village Marina, Southampton — same train to Southampton Central; Ocean Village is just minutes from the station on foot or by taxi. Ideal if you want to keep things simple.
Lymington — direct trains from Waterloo to Lymington Pier (around 1 hr 45 mins). Step off the train in one of the Solent’s most charming sailing towns and board right on the waterfront.
Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth — trains from Waterloo to Portsmouth Harbour (around 1 hr 30 mins). Walk straight from the station to the waterfront at Gunwharf and board. Grab a coffee first — the views across the harbour are worth a moment.
Step 4 — Colwell Bay
Arrive at The Hut
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 sun-drenched terrace with a menu of fresh seafood and a cold glass in hand.
Step 1 — London
Board a train at London Waterloo
South Western Railway operates frequent direct services from London Waterloo to all four of our boarding points. Aim for an early to mid-morning departure to make the most of a long, lazy lunch at The Hut.
Step 5 — 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 your afternoon accordingly. A long lunch is the sweet spot — stay for sunset over the water, 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 go quickly — book your restaurant reservation as soon as you have a date in mind. 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, locally caught seafood. Each lobster and crab is caught in the surrounding Isle of Wight waters. Dietary requirements and plant-based options are also available — contact the restaurant in advance.
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 and group size — and we’ll handle everything.
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