Sailing inyourfootsteps.com

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 making their approach of Portaferry.

The marina resides 230 metres south from the ferry terminal and is situated behind a protective concrete arm that extends from the shore. On the end of the arm there is a sectored RWG light (Isophase 4s). It is entered from the south midway between the head of the breakwater, to port, and two conical unlit buoys to starboard that mark the edge of the 2.5 metre dredged area.

The marina caters for up to 50 yachts with drafts up to 2.5 metres in ‘nose to tail’ berths. Approximately 12 ‘finger’ berths are reserved for visitor use. Berthing is not permitted along the outer side of the breakwater.

There are also four black visitor moorings close to the ferry terminal courtesy of Portaferry Hotel.

The ferry terminal is in constant use and must not be obstructed though it is possible to temporarily come alongside at the south side at high water – take care of an eddy that turns back against the main run of the current alongside.

What are the tides here?

Today's local tide estimates are based on High Water Belfast +0152
Today's Belfast tides — High waters: 10:11, 22:36, Low waters: 04:07, 16:21
Today's Dover tides — High waters: 10:10, 22:29, Low waters: 05:06, 17:32 (From Tide Times)
We are now approaching the next tidal event that will be Springs, need more detailed tidal planning information?

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 at 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.

What facilities are available?

Visitor pontoons have electricity supply and water. There is one shower cubicle and one toilet cubicle located near the security barriers. Alternative facilities are available in Barholm Hostel during office hours including a launderette. Also a boat slip and dinghy park alongside the ferry terminal where a local yacht club affords facilities to visitors. Portaferry Square is just a two minute walk up Ferry Street from the Marina. Here you will find local amenities including supermarkets, post office, butcher, green grocer, cash machine, hardware supply shop, credit union, bakery, gas, and minor repairs etc that cater for a local population of almost 3,000. The Health Centre and pharmacy are located in High Street.

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:
Portaferry Marina
VHF Channel Ch. M2, 80
Tel: +44 28 4272 9598
Mobile: +44 7703 209 780
barholm.portferry@virgin.net

Strangford Harbour Master (at ferry terminal)
VHF Channel Ch 12, 14, 16, M
Tel:+44 28 4488 1637
Monday to Friday (9am-5pm)

Police: +44 4461 5011, Medical Clinic +44 4461 3016

Any security concerns?

Portaferry marina has secure gated access.

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. OpenStreetMap provides local maps that include relief details plus walking and cycle routes for this locality.

With thanks to:

Charlie Kavanagh - ISA/RYA Yachtmaster Instructor/Examiner - navigation and sail training available - details here: http://www.sailsoutheast.com/

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