Yes, you can take a dog on every Isle of Wight ferry, and they all carry dogs free. Wightlink, Red Funnel and Hovertravel each accept pet dogs at no charge, as of October 2026. The rules differ on where your dog can go on board: on the car ferries, dogs are limited to pet-friendly areas and outside decks, while on Wightlink's FastCat they can go anywhere. On all three, dogs must be on a lead (or in a carrier) and off the seats.
Dog rules by operatorSection titled Dog rules by operator
| Wightlink | Red Funnel | Hovertravel | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charge | Free | Free | Free |
| Where dogs can go | Car ferries: pet-friendly areas only. FastCat: all areas | Car ferries: outside decks A and AA and the North Lounge. Red Jet: welcome | Passenger cabin, on the floor |
| Lead or carrier | Lead, or a suitable container | Harness or collar and lead | Lead, or an RSPCA-approved carrier |
| On seats | No | No | No |
| Stay in the car | Yes, with a window open | Yes, alone about 45 min | No vehicles carried |
| Mess not cleaned up | £50 cleaning fee | Owner must clear it up | £100 to £500 fee |
Policies as published by each operator, checked in October 2026. They change, so read the operator's page before you travel.
WightlinkSection titled Wightlink
Wightlink runs the Portsmouth to Fishbourne and Lymington to Yarmouth car ferries and the Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde FastCat. It says all its vessels are pet friendly, pets travel free and they don't need to be booked, though it asks you to tell it you're bringing a pet when you book online.
On the car ferries, pets and emotional support dogs may only be in the marked Pet Friendly areas. If you sit in a pet-free area, staff will direct you to the pet-friendly one, and your pet must stay there for the crossing.
On the FastCat, pets are allowed in all areas.
Rules on every Wightlink route:
- Keep your pet on a lead or in a suitable container. At the port, keep it on a lead and don't leave it on its own.
- Pets aren't allowed on any seats, even in pet-friendly areas, or in the shops.
- Clean up after your pet. Cleaning materials are available at a pet cleaning station or from staff; if you don't clean up, Wightlink may charge a £50 cleaning fee.
Staying in the car. Wightlink says it prefers pets to stay in vehicles, with water and ventilation, where that's possible. Leave a window open, and bear in mind you won't be able to go back to check on them during the sailing.
XL Bully dogs can travel with Wightlink. The law has required XL Bully dogs to be kept on a lead and muzzled in public since 31 December 2023. Wightlink says that not complying, or not producing your Certificate of Exemption when a member of staff asks, may result in a ban from all its services.
Red FunnelSection titled Red Funnel
Red Funnel runs the Southampton to East Cowes car ferry and the Red Jet to West Cowes. It says dogs travel free "on all our ferries for every dog, no matter how big or small".
On the car ferries, dogs can go on the outside decks (Decks A and AA) and in the designated pet lounge, the North Lounge on upper A Deck.
On the Red Jet, Red Funnel says dogs are welcome too.
Rules:
- Dogs must be on a harness or collar and a lead at all times on board.
- Dogs must not sit on seats or block the emergency exits, and must be kept away from food and drink areas.
- Keep your dog under control and away from other passengers and crew unless invited.
- Red Funnel asks owners to consider muzzling aggressive or nervous dogs around other passengers.
- Clear up any mess your dog makes.
- Take care on the outer decks in summer, which can become very hot to touch.
Staying in the car. Dogs may stay in the car if they'll be happier there; Red Funnel notes they'll be alone for about 45 minutes.
HovertravelSection titled Hovertravel
The hovercraft between Southsea and Ryde carries foot passengers only, so there's no car to leave a dog in. Dogs travel free, and Hovertravel's rules are:
- Dogs must be on a lead (a harness or collar) or in an RSPCA-approved pet carrier.
- They must stay on the floor in the passenger area, not on the seats.
- Hovertravel may refuse any pet at its discretion, so it recommends checking before you travel.
- If a dog fouls the craft or terminal and you don't clean it up, its booking terms allow a fee of £100 to £500.
Hovertravel also asks owners to let their dog relieve itself in a suitable public area before travelling. If you have an allergy, staff will try to seat you away from animals.
Assistance dogsSection titled Assistance dogs
- Wightlink: assistance dogs are welcome in all areas of its ports and ferries, including all passenger lounges and cafés. Emotional support dogs are treated as pets and must stay in pet-friendly areas.
- Hovertravel: guide and assistance dogs travel free under the same rules as other dogs. Hovertravel says it will only refuse to carry a passenger with an assistance dog for safety reasons, such as the craft being at its passenger limit.
- Red Funnel: its dog-friendly travel page doesn't cover assistance dogs. Contact Red Funnel before you travel.
MuzzlesSection titled Muzzles
None of the three operators requires an ordinary pet dog to wear a muzzle. Red Funnel asks owners to consider one for aggressive or nervous dogs. XL Bully dogs are a separate case: by law they must be muzzled and on a lead in public (see Wightlink above).
Once you're on the islandSection titled Once you're on the island
- Beaches: many Isle of Wight beaches ban dogs in summer. Check our dog ban calendar before you go.
- The Isle of Wight Steam Railway says dogs are very welcome and travel free on all its trains. See is there a train on the Isle of Wight?
- Crossing times: if your dog is staying in the car, the car ferries take 40 minutes to about an hour. See how long is the ferry to the Isle of Wight?
- Fares and routes: see can you drive to the Isle of Wight? and is the Isle of Wight expensive?
SourcesSection titled Sources
- Wightlink: travelling with your pet (checked October 2026)
- Wightlink: can I travel with my pet? and what areas can I take my pet into? (October 2026)
- Wightlink: I have an XL Bully dog; can I travel with Wightlink? (October 2026)
- Red Funnel: dog-friendly travel (checked October 2026; page undated)
- Hovertravel: on the day travel planning (October 2026)
- Hovertravel: booking terms and conditions (clauses 8 and 26.7, October 2026)
- Hovertravel: standard fares (pet rules; fares valid from December 2025)
- Hovertravel: accessible travel (assistance dogs, October 2026)
- Isle of Wight Steam Railway: FAQs (dogs, October 2026)
