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Today's local tide estimates
High water: 00:33,
Low water: 06:48
High water: 13:07,
Low water: 19:05
Local weather
ENE Force 5, Patchy light rain, 8°C
Swell today
Direction S, height 0.1 metres, period 9.1 seconds, significant wave height of 1.0 metres.
Summary* Restrictions apply
A completely protected location with careful navigation required for access.
LWS draught
3 metres (9.84 feet).
Shelter See it »
Completely protected.
Nature (summary)
Anchorage, alongside pier, moorings, village, scenic, drying, overwhelming tides, strong tides.
Facilities (summary)
Tap, fuel by jerry can, slipway, basic shopping, toilets, hot food, public houses, post office, pharmacy, electronic repair, bus, walks.
Haven position? See it »
54° 22.330' N, 005° 33.260' W
Where is that position? See it »
Upon the quay in Strangford Village west of Swan Island.
What is the initial fix? See it »
The following Strangford Lough Initial Fix waypoint will set up a final approach:
54° 18.226' N, 005° 29.492' W
Two miles out from the Angus Rock Lighthouse, a white tower with a red top Fl. R. 5s 15m 6M. It is situated upon the 323° leading line provided by the tower in-line with the Cross Roads anchorage beacon that is a grey stone pillar. It is just over half a mile southwest of the Strangford Light buoy (safe water marker L Fl.10s) and it leads into the Lough’s preferred East Channel.
Why visit here?
Strangford (deriving its name form the Vikings - Strangrfjörthr meaning "‘violent or strong ford" describing the Narrows’ fast-flowing current) is a small, picturesque village. The harbour along with Portaferry, across the ‘Narrows’ with a marina, are gateways to Strangford Lough that provide a boatman with magnificent cruising in unspoilt surroundings.
The sea Lough (lake) is a marine nature reserve of unparalleled beauty and, at sixteen miles long, four miles wide, covering an area of 150 km², it is the largest inlet on the east coast of Ireland. Fringed by beautiful coves, inlets and drumlins, dotted with seventy islands along with attractive towns and villages, it is a perfect cruising destination. Indeed the name ‘Strangford’ originally only applied to the narrows, while the area beyond bore the Irish name Loch Cuan "calm Lough" or “Lough of haven or harbours” describing the still shallow waters and numerous anchoring opportunities in the lee of its host of islands. With little commercial traffic and considerable areas of unobstructed waters it is also a popular location for yacht racing.
Visiting boatmen are scarcely alone in Strangford Lough. The countless tidal rocky outcrops, called pladdies, littering the Lough and mudflats, along with marshes, rocks, bays and headlands provide a unique natural environment for a huge variety of marine bird and animal life. The Lough hosts common seals, basking sharks and Brent Geese and three quarters of the world population of Pale Bellied Brent Geese winter here. It is also an important winter migration destination for many wading and sea birds. All of which make the Lough a conservation area and its abundant wildlife recognised internationally for its importance.
Taken together the area is a rare and precious jewel for the cruising boatman. Strangford harbour and village is not alone a great entrance point to explore the Lough beyond the narrows but also a pleasant location itself. The harbour is overlooked by rows of 19th century cottages and a fine Georgian terrace, replete with a number of restaurants, and has many areas of interest immediately ashore.
There is a 16th century tower-house near the harbour called Strangford Castle that still remains an imposing sight. One mile further north-west of Strangford, on a rocky height overlooking Strangford Lough, is Audley's Castle, a small gatehouse type tower house built in the 15th century.
On the Downpatrick Road you will find the 18th Century Castle Ward that is an intriguing manor house built in two distinct architectural styles, Classic and Gothic. Set upon the shoreline of Strangford Lough it provides superb views across the waters of the Lough. It is owned by the National Trust and open to visitors.
Finally, and further south, the well-preserved Kilclief Castle, that was mentioned earlier as a clearing bearing to pass the ‘Meadows Shoal’, was built in the 15th Century and is one of Ireland's earliest tower houses.
How to get in?
Small vessels cannot enter or leave Strangford Lough against the tide and for a first time visit it is advisable to approach on slack water. As slack water only happens twice a day, and most likely once in daylight (local knowledge is required to negotiate the Narrows at night so a first visit should be in daylight), planning the approach to work the tides is essential. As a minimum you should plan to enter with flood and leave with ebb.
We describe the approach to the East Channel that is the principal approach into Strangford Lough. It is east of Angus Rock Lighthouse and approximately midway between Killard Point and Ballyquintin Point. Although there are other channels and short cuts they are not covered here and not recommended for strangers to the area.
The Strangford Lough Initial Fix is approximately two miles out from the Angus Rock Lighthouse, white tower with a red top, and approximately five miles from Strangford Creek.
Angus Rock Lighthouse - Fl. R. 5s 15m 6M position: 54° 19.843’N, 005° 31.520’W
It is just over half a mile southwest of the Strangford Light buoy (safe water marker) and leads into the Lough’s East Channel.
Strangford Light buoy - L Fl.10s position: 54° 18.626’N, 005° 28.689’W
From the initial fix you may come straight in upon the 323° leading line provided by the tower, in-line with the Cross Roads anchorage beacon that is a grey stone pillar situated approximately a mile and a half behind upon the western shore – please note Angus Rock tower obscures the Cross Roads beacon when the transit is directly in line.
The route takes you past St Patrick's Rocks, half a mile away on the port side, marked by a red beacon (that is unlit at night).
St Patrick's Rocks - Red Beacon position: 54° 18.584’N, 005° 30.937’W
Then past Bar Pladdy South Cardinal, 400 metres to starboard, off Ballyquintin Point.
Bar Pladdy South Cardinal – Q(6) +L Fl. 15s position: 54° 19.344’N, 005° 30.501’W
When the north end of Portaferry town comes open to the west of Bankmore Hill, located at Rue Point, you are in the East Channel. The route then turns slightly eastwards taking a north by northwest direction. This aligns the 341° leading light beacon off Dogpoint (front; Oc(4)G.10s, 2 metres high red beacon) and Gowland Rocks (rear; Oc(2)G.10s, 5 metres high white stone beacon, green top). Take this new bearing and leave Angus Rock Lighthouse, 300 metres to port, and Pladdy Lug, upon which stands a large pile beacon made up of glazed white tiles, 500 metres to starboard.
Pladdy Lug – position: 54° 19.826’N, 005° 30.812’W
Continue upon this track until Kilclief Castle, upon the western shore, bears 265° when the ‘Meadows Shoal’, an area with just over 2 metres of cover, has been safely passed to port. From then on up, a midchannel route is free of obstructions.
Please be aware that the Narrows’ rocky and uneven bottom can cause eddies and overfalls to occur throughout the channel, particularly when heavy weather collides with the full run of the tide. The most important area to be aware of is the ‘Routen Wheel’ that lies approximately 500 metres south of Rue Point. A ledge extension from the point causes a whirlpool that is dangerous for yachts. The ‘Routen Wheel’ will be a clearly identifiable seething surface rip. As it lies to the east of the Narrow’s mid-channel route it is easily avoided. It should also be noted that the constricted part of the channel, just above the ‘Routen Wheel’ and immediately south of Rue Point, is where the outgoing tidal streams attains its fastest rate of 7.5 kn at springs.
A marine turbine has been located in the centre of ‘The Narrows’ about 500 metres south of Portaferry. The pillar marking this turbine should be given a wide berth by all boat users.
Take care when meeting the vehicle ferry that crosses to Portaferry on the Ards Peninsula as it is challenging to predict the vessels tracking when carried by the swift moving currents. Likewise attention should be paid to steerage when passing from the main tidal streams of the fairway into the comparative slack water of Strangford Harbour.
Swan Island will appear like a grassy mound upon approach but a rocky reef surrounds it. It is marked by three light beacons to the North, East and South. If passing you should stay at least 40 metres off its eastern most white stone beacon Fl(2)WR6s.
Safe water for entrance can be found by rounding to the north of the Swan Island’s ‘North Pladdy’, beacon Q Fl situated 100 metres northeast of the island, or to the south of the ‘South Pladdy’, beacon Fl. (3) 10s situated 40 metres south-southwest of the island.
Inside Swan Islet where you will find a secure anchorage in depths of 3 to 7 metres out of the main runs of the Narrows tidal stream. Please do not anchor in a position that obstructs the fairway to the northwest of the Swan Island.
There are two moorings for visiting yachtsmen close to the Swan Rock in Strangford harbour. They are owned and maintained by the Lobster Pot Inn in Strangford, where good food may be obtained.
You can temporarily come alongside New Quay to the southwest of Swan Island if a berth is available. 3 metres is available alongside but take care if berthing at the outer end of the quay as the tidal stream runs diagonally across it. Be prepared to move immediately if requested.
Please note in the summer the harbour is most likely to be crowded and the ferries RoRo terminal at the south end of the harbour is reserved exclusively for its use.
What are the tides here?
Today's local tide estimates are based on High Water Belfast +0152
Today's Belfast tides — High water: 11:15, 23:31, Low water: 04:56, 17:13
Today's Dover tides — High water: 11:14, 23:30, Low water: 06:06, 18:22 (From Tide Times)
High Water Strangford Quay Dover +0147 springs, 0157 neaps
MHWS 3.6m MHWN 3.1m MLWN 0.9m MLWS 0.4m
Local high water is 2 hours 15 minutes after high water Belfast
Strangford Narrows Tidal Streams
Flood starts Dover -0345, Belfast -0330
Ebb starts Dover +0215, Belfast +0230
Attainable speed: East Channel, in-going 5 kn; out-going stream 7.5 kn at springs. Streams are almost simultaneous throughout the narrows and the period of slack water is very short as the tides reverse. The stream runs in line with the Narrows except to the north of Angus Rock where the flood and ebb run northwest and southeast respectively.
The latest monthly Dover and Dublin (North Wall) tides courtesy of the National Environmental Research Council. Printable monthly tides for Dublin, Dunmore, Cobh, Galway, Belfast are available from the ISA.
The national weather forecast, Met Éireann and BBC shipping forecasts, plus a very simplified Ulster tourist outlook. From an Atlantic perspective a 24 hour North Atlantic synoptic chart that you may ‘right click’ and save to your hard disk. Met Éireann’s Eastern Atlantic chart and the BBC’s surface area forecast plus visible satellite images for Ireland and Northeast Atlantic from Met Éireann. Wind observations, XC UK & Ireland, Windguru wind & wave reports, and Windfinder where you can determine a forecast time. Coastal radio stations (VHF Channel) Weather forecast at 0103 and thence every 3 hours updated every sixth. Dublin 83, Wicklow Head 87, Rosslare 23 and Mine Head 83. Radio broadcasts on RTE 1 (89.1FM) 0603, 1253, 1655 and 2355.
A free tidal range prediction application for windows, a simple tide monitor plus the rule of twelfths are available in inyourfootsteps.com shared ‘experience’.
What facilities are available?
A boat slip, fuel and fresh water at the quays, basic provision plus pubs and restaurants that you would expect with a population of approximately 500 but apart from that there are no specific facilities available for yachtsmen at Strangford Harbour. Nearest international airport is at Belfast 56 km. Portaferry, on the Ards Peninsula, is available by a car ferry service that runs every half hour (weather permitting) and a bus service to the larger town of Downpatrick that serves as a commercial and administrative centre for the locality.
What emergency contacts are there?
Belfast Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC). Operational Area: Northern Ireland/ Irish Republic Border, Lough Foyle to Northern/Irish Republic Border Carlingford Lough. Belfast Coastguard (MRSC) VHF Ch 16, liaises closely with IRCG. Emergencies are worked on 16, 67 and working channel.
Alternatively, or if ashore, phone 999 and 112 and ask for ‘Marine Rescue’. Police, Fire and Rescue are also available on this number. Belfast (MRSC) may be contacted directly on +44 2891 463 933. An inshore lifeboat is maintained at Portaferry.
Other useful contacts in this area:
Strangford Harbour Master (at ferry terminal)
VHF Channel Ch 12, 14, 16, M
Tel:+44 28 4488 1637
Monday to Friday (9am-5pm)
Portaferry Marina
VHF Channel Ch. M2, 80
Tel: +44 28 4272 9598
Mobile: +44 7703 209 780
barholm.portferry@virgin.net
Police: +44 4461 5011, Medical Clinic +44 4461 3016
Any security concerns?
Never a problem known to have occurred in Strangford Harbour.
What navigational resources are available for this area?
British Admiralty 2156 ‘Strangford Lough’, scale of 37,500:1. The key detail chart for the narrows is 2159 ‘Strangford Narrows’, scale of 12,500:1, including ‘Strangford’, scale of 5,000:1. Imray chart C62 – ‘Irish Sea’. ’Sailing Directions - Irish Cruising Club - East & North Coasts of Ireland’ provides an excellent pilot for this area. Irish Ordinance Survey No. 21.
With thanks to:
Charlie Kavanagh - ISA/RYA Yachtmaster Instructor/Examiner - navigation and sail training available - details here: http://www.sailsoutheast.com/'>www.sailsoutheast.com/'>http://www.sailsoutheast.com/
Please note inyourfootsteps.com makes no guarantee of the validity of this information, we have not visited this haven and do not have first-hand experience to qualify the data. Although the contributors are vetted by peer review as practised authorities, they are in no way, whatsoever, responsible for the accuracy of their contributions. It is essential that you thoroughly check the accuracy and suitability for your vessel of any waypoints offered in any context plus the precision of your GPS. Any data provided on this page is entirely used at your own risk and you must read our legal page if you view data on this site.
