Time out at UKSA

In the ‘work hard, play hard’ environment at UKSA, we understand that quality time out is of the utmost importance. Part of our aim as a charity is to assist you in your physical, mental and spiritual development, so aside from your maritime education at the Academy we provide a number of facilities for you to use in your own time. Whatever your interests, we are confident your time out will be well spent.

Swimming pool

Our indoor heated pool is a great training and recreational facility, available for students' personal use seven days a week. It's also used for kayaking, lifesaving, and sea survival training, and offers our younger visitors the ideal supervised all-weather training environment for building water confidence.
>> Click for a virtual tour of our pool

Keep in shape

The gym offers a great leisure facility for adults keen to work on their personal stamina and fitness. Equipment includes two Concept II rowers, a running treadmill, step machine, cycle machine, punch bag, free weights and multi-gym resistance weights.
>> Click for a virtual tour of our gym

Meals

By providing a menu of wholesome, hot meals and packed lunches, UKSA enables you to focus on getting the maximum from your training with us. Three meals a day are provided with packed lunch options for those out on the water. For those venturing further afield on our yachts, meals are freshly prepared onboard by crew, with everyone onboard getting involved in the day-to-day domestic duties. Don't worry if you have unusual dietary requirements – just let us know when you book so we can meet your needs.
>> Click for a virtual tour of our dining room

Nelson's bar

With its superb view overlooking the busy waterfront, UKSA’s lounge and bar is the ideal place to relax and unwind, or party, after a hard day afloat or in the classroom. You can be sure of stimulating company from like-minded people of all ages, passionate about their watersports. The bar also screens key sporting events, and plays host to live bands and entertainment throughout the year.
>> Click for a virtual tour of Nelson's bar

Youth entertainment

We offer a full programme of supervised evening entertainment and activities for our younger visitors and school group members. This ensures the action, fun and adventure doesn’t run dry when they come ashore at the end of the day.
>> Click for a virtual tour of Nelson's bar

Cyber cafe

Keeping in touch with the outside world while at the Academy is important for many of our students. UKSA provides a dedicated suite of computers with broadband internet access for use by students. Our Cowes site also has wireless internet access points and dedicated network connection points in some accommodation areas for those bringing laptops.
>> Click for a virtual tour of our cyber cafe

Cowes - a social hub

Cowes hosts numerous prestigious regattas and marine events throughout the year, providing ample spectacle and entertainment and there are always new haunts to explore. Rub shoulders with some of the most famous names in the yachting world in Cowes town centre. With its a broad spectrum of friendly pubs, restaurants, and yacht clubs just a 10 minute walk from the Academy, it's a great place to be and there are always new haunts to explore.
>> Click to see what's on in Cowes

Explore the garden isle

The Isle of Wight's breathtaking and spectacular scenery is well worth investigating during your time at UKSA. For those keen on walking and cycling, a network of dedicated cycle paths links up to the Academy's doorstep, enabling visitors to explore the island during free time off the water. UKSA provides secure bike storage on site for those bringing their own bikes and mountain bikes are available for hire locally.
>> Click for the official IOW website