South Island Marina sits on the River Lee Navigation at Ponders End, approximately three hours' cruising from the River Thames at Limehouse and within a day's reach of central London.

It is well placed for boaters looking to explore the Upper Lee and the River Stort. The marina was developed in the early 1990s by Michael Pinnock's father, who transformed a derelict, overgrown site into a functioning moorings operation.

Originally intended as private storage for the family's narrowboat and those of friends, growing demand shaped it into a professionally run marina.

Michael has managed the site since his father's retirement in 2007, and the marina offers boat diesel sales among its services.