All navigational marks in Poole Harbour conform to IALA Region 'A' System of Buoyage and are positioned as shown in the latest editions of Admiralty Chart 2611 and Imray Laurie Y23.

Buoys are numbered consecutively from the seaward end of the Swash Channel, Poole Bar Buoy being No. 1. Buoys marking the port hand side of the channel have even numbers and the buoys on the starboard side have odd numbers.

Following a major channel improvement project carried out in 2006, there has been a revision of some channel marks and some light characteristics as well as a re-numbering of Swash, Middle, North, Wareham and Holes Bay Channel Buoys. All changes were promulgated by Admiralty and Local Notices to Mariners. A new edition of Admiralty Chart No. 2611 was published in August 2006.

Minor channels are marked with stakes, the colours and top marks of which conform to the IALA System of Buoyage. All stakes are fitted with luminous tape, two stripes on the port marker, one stripe to starboard.