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Today's local tide estimates
High water: ,
Low water: * Coming soon
High water: ,
Low water:
Local weather
WNW Force 5, Partly Cloudy, 7°C
Swell today
Direction W, height 3.1 metres, period 9.9 seconds, significant wave height of 3.3 metres.
Summary* Restrictions apply
An exposed location with careful navigation required for access.
LWS draught
2 metres (6.56 feet).
Shelter See it »
Sheltered: SE, S, SW, W
Unprotected: N, NE, E, NW
Nature (summary)
Anchorage, edifying, scenic, drying.
Facilities (summary)
Tap, fuel by jerry can, supermarket, hot food, public houses.
Haven position? See it »
55° 22.260' N, 007° 20.008' W
Where is that position? See it »
This is the location of Bulbinbeg pierhead situated in the southwest corner of Slievebane Bay.
What is the initial fix? See it »
The following Slievebane Bay Initial Fix waypoint will set up a final approach:
55° 22.574' N, 007° 19.173' W
It is in the south side of Garvan Sound, equidistance from the islands between which the harbour is normally accessed, 200 metres east Rossnabartan, 200 metres north of Lackgolana. The position sets up an approach to Bulbinbeg pier between the two islets and a bearing of 235° (T), for a distance of half a mile from the initial fix, will lead to the head of Bulbinbeg pier from here.
Why visit here?
Slievebane Bay (Sliabh Bhán) is a sheltered bay in an area noted for wild craggy coastal scenery, vertical cliffs and offshore rock pinnacles rising up from the foaming ocean. Situated close to the famous Malin Head, that has a prominent position in the shipping forecast, thanks to a weather station and its own sea area ‘Malin’, the bay and small pier is called Malin Harbour by boatmen.
Nearby Malin Head (Irish: Cionn Mhálanna) derives its standing from a general acceptance that it is the northernmost extremity of Ireland. Technically this is not correct and Ireland’s most northerly headland is the high and rocky Dunaldragh Head that resides 2 km to the east-northeast.
The north-facing Dunaldragh Head is topped off by an interesting derelict three storey tower. Originally a Napoleonic Martello it was transformed into the present structure in 1805 by the British Admiralty to serve as a weather reporting lookout. It subsequently became a Signal Tower for Lloyds of London, the shipping insurers. In 1902 the Marconi Company succeeded in sending the first commercial message by wireless from here. Today the tower and general areas has become known as ‘’Banba's Crown’’. Banba, Banbha in Irish, was one of the mythical queens of pre Christian Ireland that grew to become the patron of the country. Hence, situated upon Ireland’s most northerly point, the area has become known as "Banba’s Crown" after the nations mythological Queen.
To underscore this nationhood, laid out in large white stones on the grass beneath the tower is the word ‘S.S. EIRE’ (meaning ‘Saor Stat Eire’, Irish for "Free State Eire"). This was set down in 1939 to alert WWII aircraft crews that they were flying over Ireland, a neutral country during the war, in order to prevent accidental bombing.
The Met Eireann station at Malin Head itself shares these WWII origins, although in a less overt manner. U-boat wolf packs harried this area of the coast and North Atlantic access during WWII. In a bid to reduce the slaughter the Irish Government secretly allowed the British to place two radio direction finders on the headland to monitor aerial and U-Boat activity. When the war ended these RDF buildings were converted into the current weather station for the Irish Meteorological Service.
Although Slievebane Bay may be more exposed to the swell and less easy to approach than the other bays on this northwest coast, it provides hiking access to this significant headland. En route magnificent cliff scenery will be discovered interspersed with golden sandy bays, rocky outcrops and Inishtrahull Island lying off the cost. Wildlife such as choughs, with their glossy black plumage and red legs and bill, that inhabit the cliffs and the rasping cry of the rare corncrake can be heard in the fields. Around the headland there is a nice, non-waymarked trail around the immediate area and the general area is a place still relatively unfrequented by walkers where they are subject to little restraint.
This, along with good provisioning makes Malin Harbour, in moderate offshore conditions, another location that the coastal cruiser should not pass by.
How to get in?
Western Approach. A western approach from Malin Head to Lough Foyle will find a rugged Atlantic coastline. Malin Head, the northern most point of Ireland, is a low 70 metre high rounded hill with a square derelict concrete tower on top. The shoreline here is bold, jagged and fringed by outlying rocks that are steep-to and always visible. With the exception of Scars Rocks, lying about 400 metres west of the headland and always visible, there are no off-lying obstructions. A berth of 300 metres or more clears all dangers here but it gets more challenging once Malin Head is rounded.
Careful advance planning is required as this corner of Ireland has to be treated with the utmost of respect. Here the Atlantic Ocean collides with the runs of the Irish coastal tide amidst two rocky island groups, the Garvan Isles and Inishtrahull.
The Garvan Isles reside to the east of Malin Head and to the north of Slievebane Bay. They are a collection of barren islands ranging from 15 to 22 metres in height and are surrounded by sunken rocks and shoals.
Further offshore is Inishtrahull that is a sizable uninhabited island situated three miles northwest of the outermost Garvan Isle. It is nearly a mile long and is made up of two rounded hills joined by a stretch of low ground with a lighthouse at its western end.
Inishtrahull Lighthouse - Fl(3)15s 59m19M position: 55° 55 25.864’N, 007° 14.628’W
Inishtrahull has a separately covered anchorage Portmore situated upon its northern side.
Once Malin Head and Dunaldragh Head have been rounded Slievebane Bay offers two western approaches. The first is to enter Garvan Sound and approach between the islets of Lackgolana and Rossnabartan as set up by the Initial Fix. The latter is to approach the Bay to the south of Rossnabartan, between that islet and the shore.
The key to the Garvan Sound route is to locate the covered Blind Rock with 1.8 metres of water over it. It is situated approximately 800 metres to the northeast of the northen most mainland point that exists on the west side of Slievebane Bay, and is to be left to the south passing through the sound. By keeping the Chimney Rock at Carrickaveol Head (approximately 4 miles east by southeast on the mainland coast) just open of the singular 70 metre high Stookaruddan (bold and loaf-shaped, 1.5 miles closer on the mainland coast) a vessel will pass approximately 400 metres to the north of the Blind Rock. This should represent a 117° line of bearing to track in.
When past Blind Rock and approaching Carnadreelagh Isle, or the low flat-topped Rossnabartan Isle comes due south, turn hard to the southeast, take a very short leg to bring Stookaruddan onto a 115° bearing shutting Chimney Rock in behind it. This leads through the 600 metres wide Garvan Sound that exists between Carnadreelagh Isle and the 2.1 metre rock patch to the southwest of the cut. The least depth of the sound is 12.8 metres. From there head to the initial fix to align entry between the islets of Lackgolana and Rossnabartan.
If taking the alternate inshore route, to the south of Rossnabartan, the key to this approach is to locate the drying Minad Rock that resides 500 metres east south-east of the island. A leading line of bearing of approximately 124° of Lackgolana, its own apparent width northeast of Mount Crockalough (three miles away on the peninsula southeast by east), leads between Rossnabartan and the Minad Rock into the Bay.
Eastern Approach. Approaching from the east Inishowen Head provides a major landmark. Backed by high hills the bold precipitous and considerably indented Inishowen Head terminates the Lough Foyle’s mountainous north shore. The abrupt precipice is free from dangers extending more than 300 metres offshore and it is well marked.
Two miles to the northeast of the head is the Lough Foyle Buoy, a safe water pillar buoy.
Lough Foyle Buoy - L Fl 10s position: 55° 15.322’N, 006° 52.616’W
Inishowen Lighthouse will also be clearly visible. It is situated half a mile southwest of Inishowen Head upon Dunagree Point.
Inishowen Lighthouse - Fl (2) WRG 10s2 8m 18/14M position: 55° 13.556’N, 006° 55.749’W
Once Inishowen Head is abeam the coast to Dunmore Head is a distance of 8 miles in north by northwest direction. The passage is characterised by 100 to 200 metre high cliffs that are backed by high inland hills. Ashore the separately covered bays of Portkill, Kinnagoe and Tremone Bays offer alternate anchorages with beach landings in offshore winds but no facilities. The coast is steep-to and free from danger with 20 metres of water a quarter of a mile off. A berth of 300 metres off the shore clears all dangers in this area.
The separately covered Culdaff Bay is passed next between Dunmore Head and Bunnagee Point. Keep at least three hundred metres off Bunnagee Point to clear Bo Rock that resides immediately northeast of the point.
The area to the north of Culdaff Bay is locally known as The Rue where the coast progressively rises in height for the final two and a half miles north to Glengad Head. All dangers will be cleared by staying 200 metres or more off the shoreline here.
Glengad Head is a bluff headland with a remarkable hill near its extremity. From here the passage is rocky with high brooding cliffs with stacks that add interest along the route. A berth of 400 metres to Stookaruddan will keep a vessel clear of all dangers and once past Stookaruddan a vessel can set out for Rossnabartan to align with the initial fix a distance of approximately one and a half miles from here.
Final Approach. A bearing of 235° (T) from the initial fix, for a distance of 1000 metres, will lead to Bulbinbeg pierhead. The gap between the islets of Lackgolana and Rossnabartan is 600 metres wide with plenty of deep water all the way in.
The small pier is on the west side of the bay extending south-southeast. It is reported to have 1.2 metres of water at its head in the past but has since been extended. In the past it was recommended that yachts lay an anchor out to the south and secure a stern warp to the outer bollard.
The recently improved pier can be busy as it supports the fishermen’s co-operative for the local area. Please be certain that your berthing location is not in anyway obstructing local fishing activity.
What are the tides here?
Today's Dover tides — High water: 09:09, 21:36, Low water: 03:55, 16:22 From Tide Times
High Water Dover -0500 or approximately HW Galway +0100
Rise : 2.8-2.2m.
Direction of stream 1 mile north of Malin Head
Dover -0600 East going for 5 hours (ends -0100), max rate 4 kn.
Dover +0100 West going for 3 hours (ends =0400) , max rate 3 kn.
At other times the stream is slack.
The best times to operate in this area is around Dover -0400 or -0300 or an hour or two after local HW. Those travelling anticlockwise should strive to navigate in the area closer to HW Dover -0400 than -0300. Those travelling clockwise should avail of the slack at HW Dover -0400, followed by several hours of mostly favourable flow until HW Dover. Conversely, the tides that make navigating this area difficult are; High Water Dover -0600 to -0500, which is local HW -0100 to local HW and HW Dover +0100 to +0400, that is local LW to local LW +3000.
Be cautious when approaching Dunaldragh Head. The eastward moving tide is split when it collides with Malin Head initially creating turbulence off Dunaldragh Head and an hour later at Malin Head itself. Likewise the westbound tide collides with the main flow at Dunaldragh Head, or immediately east of it, again making things difficult in this area.
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?
Water available at the pier and petrol can be obtained at Slievebane village at the head of the bay. The village has a mini supermarket, two pubs and a restaurant.
What emergency contacts are there?
Malin Head MRCC/CRS (Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre / Coastal Radio Station) VHF Channel 23 or 1677 kHz covers the west and northwest coasts of Ireland from Slyne Head to Inishowen Head. Donegal Bay VHF Ch 04, Clifden VHF Ch 26, Belmullet VHF Ch 83, Glen Head VHF Ch 24 provide relay stations. Coastguard Radio is always called on a working channel. Emergencies are worked on 16, 67 and working channel. Alternatively, or if ashore, phone 999 or 121 (free) and ask for ‘Marine Rescue’. Gardai (police), Fire and Rescue are also available on this number. Malin Head MRCC/CRS may be contacted directly on +353 77 70103
Other useful contacts in this area:
Londonderry Harbour Master: VHF Ch 16 and 14 ~ Call sign "Harbour Radio"
Phone: +44 28 71 861113; Mobile: +44 780 1032387
Malin Head Radio Station has a very positive attitude to interaction with leisure craft.
Any security concerns?
Never an issue known to occur to a vessel in Malin Harbour.
With thanks to:
Bill McCann, Londonderry Harbour Master.
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.
