We know that your pet is very much part of the family, so we allow dogs, cats and other small animals on board all our ferries.
They can come along with you free of charge though we do ask, when booking online, that you let us know you’re bringing a pet along with you. Use our pet travel guide below to make your cross-Solent journey as smooth as possible.
On our vehicle ferries, you’ll find dedicated lounges where you can relax with your pet. We appreciate that not everyone wants to be around animals, so we ask that your pet remains in this area at all times or is left in your vehicle with a window open.
Our teams will direct to the Pet Friendly Area if you’ve sat elsewhere on the ferry. If you choose to leave your pet in your car, please be aware that while the ship is sailing, you won’t be able to go back and check on them.
Assistance dogs are welcome in all areas of our ports and ferries.
Both the Victoria of Wight and St Clare Pet Friendly Areas have hard seating and hard floors for easy cleaning. Our other ships have carpeted and fabric seating – please keep your pets off the seats at all times.
Victoria of Wight – Deck 4 rear lounge, opposite end of the lounge to the Wight Taste café
St Clare – Deck 4, adjacent to the Children's Play Area
St Faith – Upper gazebo lounge
There is no lift access to this lounge so customers with accessibility needs travelling with a pet can remain in the main lounge near the lift.
Wight Sun / Wight Sky / Wight Light – At the opposite end of the lounge to the Wight Taste area
Wight Ryder I and II – Anywhere on board
If you choose to bring your pet along for your cross-Solent ferry travel, please follow the rules below while at the port and on board.
Before boarding, please toilet your pet and clean up the area afterwards
Always keep your pet on a lead and don’t leave them on their own at any time
If you require cleaning materials, please use our pet cleaning station in the Customer Building or ask a member of staff for help.
Pets are not allowed in any of our café areas, excluding Assistance dogs
If your pet becomes distressed, aggressive, causes a disturbance or is believed to pose a risk to others, you must return to your vehicle or take your pet to an area free from other customers
If you don’t clean up after your pet, we may charge you a £50 cleaning fee*
Always keep your pet on a lead or in a suitable container and don’t leave them on their own in the passenger lounges or outside decks at any time
If your pet does a wee or poop, you are responsible for cleaning and scooping. Please bring your own waste bags and clear up any mess your animal leaves**
If you require cleaning materials, please use our pet cleaning station or ask a member of staff for help
Pets are to travel in the designated Pet Friendly Areas only and our teams will ask you to move if your seated in a pet free area. Excludes Assistance dogs.
Abuse of our staff may result in a travel ban on all Wightlink services
Don’t let your pet on the seats at any time.
Pets aren’t allowed in any of our café areas, excluding assistance dogs
If you don’t clean up after your pet, we may charge you a £50 cleaning fee*
If your pet becomes distressed, aggressive, causes a disturbance or is believed to pose a risk to others, a member of our team will assist you to an isolated stairway or outside deck until your pet calms down.
*Visual reports and CCTV will be used to identify owners failing to clean up toilet accidents. Wightlink reserve the right to refuse travel if the Travelling with your Pet Policy is not followed or the cleaning fee is not paid.
** Excludes Assistance dogs
The Isle of Wight is one of the most dog-friendly places in Britain, with walks galore, glorious sandy beaches and plenty of pit stops for the humans.
If it’s your first time taking your car onto a ferry, you might not know how it all works, so we’ve rounded up everything you need to know.
You can pick up hot and cold food and drinks at all our ports and on board all our vehicle ferries, plus much more.