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Today's local tide estimates
Low water: 01:00,
High water: 05:21
Low water: 11:53,
High water: 17:43
Local weather
NNE Force 5, Light drizzle, 8°C
Swell today
Direction E, height 0.3 metres, period 7.4 seconds, significant wave height of 0.7 metres.
Summary* Restrictions apply
A completely protected location with straightforward access.
LWS draught
1.8 metres (5.91 feet).
Shelter See it »
Completely protected.
Nature (summary)
Moorings, sailing club, urban, tidal, drying.
Facilities (summary)
Fuel by jerry can, slipway, supermarket, extensive shopping, toilets, showers, hot food, public houses, cashpoint, post office, internet café, doctor, pharmacy, bus, airport within 25 km, walks, family recreation.
Haven position? See it »
52° 5.450' N, 007° 37.100' W
Where is that position? See it »
Dungarvan town quay.
What is the initial fix? See it »
The following Dungarvan initial fix waypoint will set up a final approach:
52° 4.500' N, 007° 32.000' W
This waypoint is midway between Carrickapane and Carricknamoan rocks. That is approximately 600 metres north of Carrickapane Rock, locally known as Black Rock 2 metres high sticking up in all conditions and clearly visible. Plus 600 metres south of Carricknamoan that resides 1,000 metres east of Ballynacourty Point and is a flat topped rock 1 metre high rocky patch.
Why visit here?
Dungarvan derives its name from the Irish Dún Garbháin meaning ‘fort of Garbhan’ or ‘Garbhan's fort’. This refers to Saint Garbhan who founded a church here in the seventh century. It is a pretty and thriving market town with a long history.
The origins of the town can be traced back to a much earlier period of history than the time of Saint Garbhan. It is recorded that in about the third century A.D. a tribe called the 'Deise' settled on the site where Dungarvan now stands. The Normans came in came in 1185 and Prince John constructed several fortifications in the area to hold his ground. The remains of Dungarvan’s Castle can be seen standing beside the river and the other forts were very similar. In Abbeyside there is a preserved ruins of the Augustinian Priory founded in the 13th century. The sixty foot high square tower, resting on groined arches, was adapted as a belfry for the adjoining Catholic Church. The church has tombs dating back to 1490 within its grounds.
In the nineteenth century the fifth and sixth Dukes of Devonshire redesigned the town. The Colligan River which divides Dungarvan into two is connected by a causeway and bridge that were built by the Dukes. They also constructed the town’s hallmark square and street structure. Under their development Dungarvan grew and flourished to eventually become the thriving business and residential centre it is today.
Dungarvan is currently the administrative centre of County Waterford and offers an appealing blend of traditional and modern lifestyles. Those who want to make it a base from which to explore the surrounding countryside, will find seascapes, green placid river valleys and wild rugged heather covered mountains within a short driving distance of the town quay. Of particular interest is an area called Ring, seven miles south of Dungarvan, in Irish, An Rinn. It is the second most easterly Irish-speaking area in the country. This offers an opportunity to sample traditional Irish life, where regular Irish music sessions are held in the local pubs to entertain everybody. The Seanchaí, Irish for storyteller, pub on the Youghal road is one such example.
From a boating perspective this is a perfect place to avoid a bad weather system as the basin is completely protected and it is in the center of the provincial town. Likewise it is an ideal place to provision fuel and supplies.
How to get in?
The ‘Route: Rosslare to Cork coastal description’ provides approach information to the suggested initial fix. Vessels approaching from the east should select the westbound sequenced description; vessels approaching from the southwest should select the eastbound sequence; southern approaches may use either description.
Dungarvan Bay is entered between the high bold promontory of Helvick Head on the south and Ballynacourty Point and its outlying rocks to the north. Viewed at high water, the bay presents a large expanse of which the greater part uncovers and the remainder is shallow. A narrow well marked channel along the northern side of the bay, from Wyse's Point to Abbey Point, leads into the town quay located about 2.2 miles west of the entrance. The channel has a least depth of 0.2 metres LWS over the bar and requires a flood tide for access. Using the tide however the channel can admit vessels with draughts in excess of three metres to the quays.
The Dungarvan initial fix is set midway between Carrickapane and Carricknamoan rocks. This is approximately 600 metres north of Carrickapane Rock that is central to the entrance of Dungarvan Bay. Locally known as Black Rock, it is a clearly visible 2.0 metres high rock that sticks up in all conditions. A sunken rocky ledge of 1.1 to 1.7 metres of cover extends 200 metres from it in a west by south direction. On other parts of Carrickapane it is largely steep-to.
Carrickapane or Black Rock – unmarked position: 52° 04.000’N, 007° 32.000’W
600 metres to the northern side of the initial fix is Carricknamoan rock that resides half a mile eastward of Ballynacourty Point. This is a one metre high flat topped rock with a surrounding rocky patch. A reef called Caricknagaddy, nearly all uncovered at low water, extends half a mile from the point in a south-easterly direction, terminating in Carricknamoan. The direction of this reef is indicated by the sector of green light of the lighthouse.
When approaching the initial fix it may be more than difficult to pick out Carricknamoan from the shoreline behind. At deck level the low lying reef appears all as one when viewed from the waypoint. Nevertheless you will clearly see that you are in the middle of the gap and there is plenty of space there as it is 0.6 of a nautical mile wide.
Proceed west from the initial fix to pass south of the white tower of Ballynacourty Point Lighthouse.
Ballynacourty Point Lighthouse - Fl (2) WRG 10s position: 52° 04.688’N, 007° 33.182’W
The Wyse’s Point channel marker will soon be seen approximately half a mile west from Ballynacourty Point Lighthouse.
Wyse - Port Red Can Buoy FL. R. 5s position: 52° 04.719’N, 007° 33.971’W
From the Wyse buoy, provided the requisite tidal depth is in place, it is simply a matter of following the channel markers into the entrance between Cunnigar Point and Abbey Point. Below are the last noted positions of the channel markers along with the beacons. The above channel buoy positions can be treated as indicative only. The channel tends to move within narrow boundaries depending upon the amount and extent of preceding easterly gales.
Ballynacourty - Port Red Can Buoy FL. R. 10s position: 52° 04.989’N, 007° 34.483’W
Glendine - Starboard Green Cone FL. G. 10s position: 52° 05.021’N, 007° 34.618’W
Deadman Sands - Port Buoy Red Can FL. R. 8s position: 52° 04.972’N, 007° 34.895’W
Davy Murray - Starboard Green Cone Buoy FL. G. 8s position: 52° 04.944’N, 007° 35.247’W
Spit Bank - Starboard Green Cone Buoy FL. G. 6s position: 52° 04.944’N 007° 35.783’W .
Whitehouse - Port Red Can Buoy FL. R. 6s position: 52° 04.905’N, 007° 35.922’W
Black Strand - Starboard Green Cone Buoy FL. G. 5s position: 52° 05.060’N, 007° 36.267’W
Goileen - Port Red Can Buoy FL. R. 5s position: 52° 05.081’N, 007° 36.343’W
From the entrance between Cunnigar Point and Abbey Point the river fairway up into the town quay is marked by four lighted beacons.
110 - Green Beacon FL. G. 4s position: 52° 05.190’N, 007° 36.722’W
Lookout - Red Beacon FL. R. 4s position: 52° 05.208’N, 007° 36.779’W
Castle - Red Beacon FL. R. 3s position: 52° 05.319’N, 007° 36.838’W
Pond – Green Beacon FL. G. 3s position: 52° 05.341’N, 007° 36.812’W
The key to the channel is capturing a rising tide that can accommodate the vessels draft. At half-tide there should be at least 1.8 metres in the channel between the buoys. This may again vary depending upon preceding winter’s easterly gales, especially so early in the sailing season. Likewise a westerly gale may somewhat diminish the rise whilst an easterly would cause a higher tide and flooding in the town. The depth in the marked channel may have decreased. In 2010 /11 Deadman Sand has been breached and it a narrow deep channel is emerging through it. This is roughly a line from the Wyse to Davy Murray markers. This channel isn't marked yet.
As such it is best to take it steady on the margins of the tide and proceed with a sharp eye to the depth sounder. If the bottom is touched it will only be sand and clay, there are no rocks in the channel.
Inside the harbour there is not enough room to swing in deep water. Several mooring buoys are moored abreast the town and are used by fishing vessels. Bilge keeled vessels that can take to the hard comfortably may avail of borrowed moorings - subject to availability.
Yachts that need to stay afloat can come alongside the yacht club’s jetty who are most accommodating – do contact Dungarvan Yacht Club in advance.
Long keeled craft or vessels that stand well should dry out on the western quay wall and the best berth to aim for is one with a ladder – moor port side on to address the ebb current.
There is reportedly a small pool available that could float a boat up to 1.8 metres at low water and locals can advise as to the location.
What are the tides here?
Today's local tide estimates are based on High Water Cobh +0005
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)
MHWS 4.1m MHWN 3.3m MLWN 1.1m MLWS 0.4m
More accurately HW Cobh +0000sp, +0010np, or alternatively -0556 Dover
The spring rate in the pool is 1.5 kn but may reach 2.5 kn at the entrance between Abbey and Cunnigar Points. There is slight stream of tide in the bay, except along the north shore and through the pool where it can attain speeds of 1.5 kn.
What facilities are available?
This is an excellent location to provision the vessel with everything within a 10 minute walk from the clubhouse jetty. The sailing club are very welcoming and delighted to see travelling sailors. They have showers and a comfortable clubhouse along with the jetty and some moorings that are often offered free of charge. Please reciprocate this courtesy by bringing as much business as possible to the club house.
There is a well-maintained concrete slipway in Dungarvan town, suitable for launching vessels up to eight metres in length. However, larger vessels should only use it up to three hours either side of high tide. Travelling to and from Dungarvan is easy with a regular express bus service to Cork, Waterford and Dublin. It offers excellent communications - the N25 road (European route E30), which connects Cork, Waterford and Rosslare Europort.
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:
Dungarvan Yacht Club +353 58 45663
Any security concerns?
Never an issue known to have occurred in Dungarvan. However this is in the centre of a town with public access to the quays. It would be best to lock up and clear the decks as normal in a busy area such as this.
What navigational resources are available for this area?
Admiralty Charts 2049 ‘Old Head of Kinsale to Tuskar Rock’ Scale of 150,000 covers this sailing area. Admiralty Charts 2017 ‘Dungarvan Harbour’ Scale of 15,000 that includes Helvick is also available, and Admiralty Leisure Folio SC5622 Ireland - South Coast, Kinsale to Waterford provides more detail. Imray chart C57 and Discovery Ordinance Survey Map 82 also cover this area.
With thanks to:
Burke Corbett, Gusserane, New Ross, Co. Wexford & Austin Flynn Commodore of Dungarvan Yacht Club
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.