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Today's local tide estimates
Low water: 00:04,
High water: 05:57
Low water: 12:29,
High water: 18:19
Local weather
NE Force 5, Light drizzle, 8°C
Swell today
Direction E, height 0.1 metres, period 7.5 seconds, significant wave height of 0.6 metres.
Summary
A completely protected location with straightforward access.
LWS draught
6 metres (19.69 feet).
Shelter See it »
Completely protected.
Nature (summary)
Anchorage, secluded, scenic, strong tides.
Facilities (summary)
Airport within 25 km.
Haven position? See it »
52° 14.860' N, 007° 3.770' W
Where is that position? See it »
600 metres south of the boat club in the Kings Channel.
What is the initial fix? See it »
The following Waterford Harbour marked channel initial fix waypoint will set up a final approach:
52° 10.740' N, 006° 56.320' W
This waypoint is 600 metres south by southwest of the Waterford Channel Number 1. starboard-hand marker (Fl.G.2s on a bearing of 009°T). It is directly east of Creadan Head, upon the eastern side of the Waterford Channel where at night you will see the Dunmore East leading lights alternate white/green.
Why visit here?
This is a lovely seclude anchorage. It is both away from the hustle and bustle of Waterford city and yet being only 2.5 nautical miles downstream within easy access of the city for a quick jaunt for lunch or resources.
It is also an excellent place to endure any heavy weather conditions that may occur during your cruising.
The island itself is over 170 hectares in extent. According to tradition a Monastic settlement existed on the island sometime between the sixth and eighth centuries, and two "finds" on the land have lent substance to this: A Winged Angel dating from the 8th century and the crude carving of a Monk's head, dating from the 6th century. (The latter is now prominently displayed over the main entrance to the current castle.) During the Viking era, between the 9th and 11th centuries, the island was referred to as Dane's Island or Island Vryk. The Vikings built two fortifications guarding the river at the north and the south.
The first family to live on the Island were the FitzGerald Family, who were cousins to Strongbow. They were awarded the land for their part in the Norman invasion of 1170. During the 15th and 16th centuries the FitzGerald's were the Kings of Ireland in all but name and hosted many feasts and banquets on the Island.
The first structure to be built on the island was a Norman keep. By the 15th century, the ruins of the Keep were no longer habitable. A tower, the centre part of the present Castle, was then constructed on the site of the old Keep. Initially it was relatively modest in size but over the years was enlarged. Firstly in 1849 by John Fitzgerald and subsequently in 1875 and 1895 when the east and west wings were added. Built entirely out of stone, these additions are now indistinguishable from the older structure.
The Island and the Castle remained in the FitzGerald name for almost eight centuries, until 1958, then the Igo Family of Rhodesia bought the property and installed a five acre complex of glass houses from which they produced fruits and flowers. A chain link ferry between the island and the mainland was installed around this time.
In 1978, the Island was rented to a local pedigree dairy farmer, who later bought the Island.
The castle became a luxury hotel in 1988 and the island became its grounds. The grounds have since been converted into a golf course.
Today the island, castle and grounds, continue to comprise a (19 bedroom) luxury hotel and golf course, Waterford Castle.
The island is considered a significant site for bird watching . The main species are the Grey Heron (breeding), Little Egret, Wigeon, Greenshank, Common Sandpiper and commoner waders, Kingfisher and Jay (with thanks to Wikipedia contributor).
How to get in?
Once Hook Head Light House has been identified check the chart for the location of the race.
Hook Head Lighthouse - Fl 3s 46m 24M position: 52° 07.300’N 006° 55.700’W
The race is at the harbour entrance where the estuary tide meets the sea in rough conditions. At deck level the strong race will be clearly visible, a very short chop with the water dark green to seaward and light green / pale blue inside and this colouration is particularly visible in sheltered waters. When the tide is on the ebb the chop is much shorter, in the flood the wave length is longer and much easier. In extreme conditions, such as a south easterly force eight on an ebb tide, it can be particularly bad and it would be best avoided. Once past the race, and inside the harbour, the seaway quickly calms and Waterford Harbour offers good depths for the pleasure sailor. From there you follow the marked channel up to the anchorage.
Be careful not to cut the octahedral lighthouse, locally know as the spider – see picture - across from Arthurstown pier. As can be seen this area is shallow and dries out so it is important that you keep to the east of this marker.
At the top of the Estuary round Cheek Point at the confluence of the rivers Suir and Barrow follow the Suir deepwater fairway up to Little Island. Pass the island on the north side in the Queens Channel. There are no dangers in this section of the river and plenty of water for a yacht except close to the banks.
Many vessels have issues when they try rounding the Island on its southern side - the King’s Channel. This is the old natural bed of the river South of little Island and it is badly silted up on the island’s eastern side. This area is only used by small vessels that have moorings there and requires very good local knowledge. If you are unfamiliar with the area stick to the Queens Channel to the north of the island. The round the island on the West Side and anchor in the position suggested on the chartlet.
There are a couple of alternate places to anchor also marked and I have found these to be very good. However anchoring at other points may be unreliable especially near or on the river bends rounding the island’s southern point. Fast moving currents scour these out making the centre very deep steep shelving banks on the edge that the anchor easily pulls out of.
The island is linked to the mainland by a private ferry which operates across Kings Channel between Ballinakill and the island's west side. Never cross in front of the ferry boat as the front towing cable lifts off the bottom and you will collide with it.
The tide runs strong in this area and it needs to be factored into your transit. On springs it can reach up to 3 knots off Creadan Head but this decreases out to midchannel. Apart from that, it is simply a matter of following the Waterford channel markers that lead up to the Port Of Waterford. There is a sectored light on Duncannon Fort and ample channel markers making the estuary navigation straightforward.
What are the tides here?
Today's local tide estimates are based on High Water Cobh +0041
Today's Cobh tides — High water: 05:16, 17:38, Low water: 11:48,
Today's Dover tides — High water: 11:14, 23:30, Low water: 06:06, 18:22 (From Tide Times)
Dover -0520, mean level 2.4 metres.
MHWS 4.1m MHWN 3.2m MLWN 1.3m MLWS 0.4m
Outside the entrance of Waterford Harbour
West going stream begins -0100 Dover or (+0450 Cobh)
East going stream begins at +0515 Dover (-0120 Cobh).
The external spring rate not exceeding 1 kn
Inside the Waterford Harbour estuary:
The flood begins at +0210 Dover (-0425 Cobh).
The ebb tide at -0505 Dover (+0045 Cobh).
Strong tides of up to 3 knots inside the estuary following the channels
The latest monthly Dover Tides and Cobh 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 Munster 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. Cork 26, Bantry 23, Valentia 24. 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?
There are no facilities at Little island.
What emergency contacts are there?
Dublin Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) VHF Ch 83 covers the area from Carlingford Lough to Youghal. Carlingford (04), Wicklow Head (02), Rosslare (23) and Mine Head (83) 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. Dublin (MRSC) may be contacted directly on +353 1 662 0922/3
Other useful contacts in this area:
Contact Dunmore East Harbour Master's Office Tel +353 (0) 51 383166 VHF Ch 16 when manned as this is used by the Waterford Authorities
Port of Waterford Harbour Master 051-74499.VHF ch.16 and 14
Waterford Customs: (051) 877011
Any security concerns?
You are most likely to be completely alone at this beach and away from any interference.
What navigational resources are available for this area?
Admiralty Chart 2049 ‘Old Head of Kinsale to Tuskar Rock’ scale of 1:150,000 covers this sailing area. The key chart for Waterford Harbour area is Admiralty Charts 2046. This covers Waterford Harbour at a scale of 1:25,000, with details of Waterford Port - scale of 1:7,500, continuation of the River Barrow to New Ross - scale of 1:25,000, New Ross - scale of 1:10,000 and Dunmore East Harbour - scale of 1:5,000.
Imray chart C57 and Discovery Ordinance Survey map 76 also cover this area. The Pilot ’Sailing Directions - Irish Cruising Club - South and West Coasts of Ireland’’ describes sailing this area in great detail.
With thanks to:
Burke Corbett, Gusserane, New Ross, Co. Wexford.
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.
