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Cushendall, Red Bay, County Antrim, Ireland

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Harbour position?

55° 4.530' N, 006° 3.020' W

Where is that position?

100 metres east of the end of the public slipway, known locally as the Waterford Slipway, where Cushendall Sailing and Boat Club and the Red Bay RNLI station is located. This is just outside Cushendall village on the Coast Road.

What is the initial fix?

The following waypoint will set up a final approach:

Red Bay Initial Fix
55° 4.420' N, 006° 0.000' W
This is just outside the centre of the bay on the 24 metre contour and approximately 1.8 nautical miles from the slipway. It supports a generally recommended east-northeast approach to Red Bay. From here head a bearing of due west leads into the anchoring area off the slipway.

What LWS draught is available?

3 metres (9.84 feet).

What are the tides and weather here?

High Water Dover –0015 Dover
MHWS 1.6m MHWN 1.5m MLWN 0.3m MLWS 0.2m

The stream sets round Garron point at the rate of 5 knots on springs, running in a direct line between it and Tornamoney Point at the north side of Cushendun Bay. At half ebb there is an eddy round the shores of Red bay, which sets out pretty strong along the south shore, causing 9 hours stream to the eastward there. There is also an eddy along the western shore with the flood, after half tide, but there is little stream in the bight of the bay. Particularly so inside the 10 metre depth contour where the Red Bay or Cushendall anchorages are situated.

Further north, the tide sweeps round the headlands at the rate of 5 knots close to the shore. The spring ebb tide has been observed to run at 9 knots close off the tip of Torr Head causing a large eddy about 100 metres northeast of the head and great overfalls.

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 considerations are there?

Cushendall is a picturesque village located on Ireland’s northeast coast. It is situated about twelve miles south of Fair Head and three and a half miles west by northwest of Garron Point. Vessels may anchor off to the south of the village or pick up a mooring.

Cushendall is a good anchorage offering shelter from westerly component conditions round to north-northwest and tucked into the bight of the bay is out of the run of current. It is completely exposed to anything with an easterly component. Access is straightforward thanks to the absence of offshore dangers or any tidal restriction.

Please note the direction and velocity of the tide should be the central feature of any navigation planning in this area. In Red Bay even moderate south or southwest winds blow with great violence down the valleys, coming off in heavy squalls. Vessels working their way in should be prepared for this and when these conditions exist expect it to be characteristic of any stay. This is typically not an issue owing to the bay’s highly reliable holding.

How to get in?

Approaching from the south. The coast to the north of Black Head, marked by Black Head lighthouse, a white 8-sided tower, presents a steep perpendicular cliff. It is composed of black basaltic rocks that at ‘The Gobbins’ is 45 metres high with deep water close in.

Blackhead Lighthouse - Fl 3s 45m 27M position: 54° 46.016’N, 005° 41.338’W

Muck island, 5 miles to the northward of Black head, is attached to the shore by a narrow neck of shingle beach, its east or sea face presents a perpendicular cliff. It is possible to stop a tide on either side of it. On rounding Muck island, you may choose to come up either inshore of Hunter Rock or between Hunter Rock and the Maidens.

Hunter Rock is covered by 0.8 metres and lies two and a half miles northeast of the Larne Harbour entrance. It is marked by North and South Cardinal Light buoys.

North Hunter - VQ position: 54° 53.046’N, 005 45.114’W

South Hunter - VQ (6) + LFl 10s position: 54° 52.691’N, 005 45.284’W

Further out to sea from Hunter Rock, a distance of 4.5 miles from Larne and nearly 4 miles east of Ballygalley head, consist two clusters of rocks, separated from each other by a deep and wide sound called the West and East Maiden.

The Maidens are steep-to all round and are marked by a lighthouse with a white tower and black band on the East Maiden - plus the remains of a West Maiden lighthouse that was taken out of service in 1903.

Maidens Lighthouse - Fl (3) 20s 29m 24M position: 54° 55.748’N, 005° 43.709’W

Once past Hunter Rock, and the Maidens Lighthouse is abeam, Cushendun is about 16 miles to the northwest and clear of offshore dangers.

Upon the shore the round bulge, 89 metres high Ballygally Head, will be seen. It is a steep cliff; its base is fringed by craggy basaltic rocks. Nearby stands the ruin of the ancient castle of Ballygally. From there the coastline is backed by a rocky mountain range attaining a height of 380 metres, and terminating in Park head. This is a conspicuous headland of a nearly perpendicular 140 metres high cliff. Glenarm bay resides immediately to the north of Path head.

Five miles north of Glenarm is Garron Point that resides to the south of Red Bay. It is a bold precipitous headland that rises abruptly to a height of 230 metres close to the shore, and 396 metres a short distance inland. Red Bay resides between Garron Point and Limerick Point three and a quarter miles northwest. It is a deep and open bay where inland hills rise to a height of over 350 metres. The entire stretch of coast line to Garron Point is clear of off lying dangers with good depths close in.


Across the North Channel, the Scottish Islands of North Islay, Mull of Kintyre, Rhyns of Galloway, Paps of Jura and Paddy's Milestone or Ailsa Craig can be seen as close as fifteen miles off. The North channel is scarcely 11 miles wide here and 140 metres deep and clear of hidden dangers.


Approaching from the north the most significant landmark is the impressive Fair Head that represents Ireland’s northeast corner. The mountain range bordering the coast terminates here in a flat top 190 metre high headland that extends out level with the mainland. A perpendicular cliff rounds the edge of Fair Head dropping down straight for 90 metres to an abrupt slope of boulders. This then descends at an almost uniform 30 degree angle to the water's edge. Fair Head’s surrounding waters are steep-to all round with from 15 to 35 metres of water to be found a distance of 200 metres from the rocks.

Progressing south from Fair Head the rugged Antrim mountain slopes push almost vertically out to the coast. Composed of white limestone overlaid with black basaltic rocks the cliffs were formed from deposits of skeletal remains of fish from when the area was submerged in a warm tropical sea about 140 million years ago. They are a remarkable feature of this coast.

3 miles southeast of Fair Head, and approximately 5 miles North of Cushendun, Torr Head that is the next significant headland. Torr Head has a disused coast-guard watch-house on its summit and an elevation of 67 metres above the sea.

On closer approach Runabay Head will be conspicuous just over two miles to the north of Cushendun Bay. It is formed by the base of a rugged mountain slope that descends sheer into the sea from a height of 260 metres. Cushendun Bay is next and 3 miles to the north of Red Bay. Again the entire stretch of coastline from the north is clear of off lying dangers with good depths close in.

Once past Cushendun Bay head for the Red Bay Initial Fix. From there head due west for 1.7 nautical miles to the anchorage. A yellow outflow marker Fl (4) Y 12s will be passed upon approach about 600 metres east of the Cushendall Sailing & Boating Club and the RNLI station. It is marked with a standard yellow buoy with a yellow “X” on top which is safe to pass on all sides - there is deep water all around given the outflow is on the sea bed. Apart from that there are no off lying rocks shallows - there is however a well marked fish farm further south in the bay.

A sandy bottom shoals gradually to the shore on final approach and you can anchor in 2 to 4 metres to your preference east of the pierhead.

The slip has a depth of 1.7 metres for 3 hours either side of high water and if you plan to come alongside please seek local guidance. Make note of the rock situated 50 metres north-by-northeast of the slipway. It is clearly marked by with a yellow triangular beacon.

Adjacent to the Cushendall Sailing & Boating Club and the RNLI station there are five visitors’ moorings. The yellow moorings have a weight limit of 10 tonnes are located approx 300 metres off the club and RNLI station.

Red Bay Moorings - position: 55° 04.565’N 006° 02.865’W.

A payment of £10 per night should be made to Red Bay Boats whose premises are nearby.

What facilities are available?

Cushendall is a coastal village with a population of 1,250 people and as such has ample provision. Visitors will find shops, garage. hotel, hospital, but no shelter or landing facilities except a beach. Water is available at the slipway and diesel at Red Bay Boats nearby. As you will possibly have come ashore in a dingy water and diesel will have to be carried in containers. The Moyle District Council provide and maintain public toilets, two large car parks and the slipway. CSBC clubhouse sits in its own grounds to the side of the RNLI station. The Club is open all Summer (weekends only in winter) and visitors are welcome. Showers/changing facilities are available free of charge,

From the club it is only a fifteen minute walk to Cushendall where all the usual, shops post office restaurants are to be found. Less than ten minutes from the club is the home of Red Bay Boats and boat yard that are very helpful. The village is situated on the A2 coast road between Larne and Portrush.

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 auxiliary coastguard station and an inshore lifeboat are stationed at Cushendall.

Other useful contacts in this area:
Cushendall Sailing & Boating Club, Phone: +44 28 2177 1673, Web: http://www.csbc.co.uk/
Address: Cushendall Sailing & Boating Club, Coast Road, Cushendall, Co Antrim BT44 0QW, Northern Ireland.

Why visit here?

Cushendall derives its name from the Irish, ‘Cois Abhann Dalla / Bun Abhann Dalla’ meaning ‘foot of the River Dall’ as it lies close to where the River Dall flows into Cushendall Bay.

Residing at the heart of the Glens of Antrim it is a particularly picturesque coastal village. Situated at the convergence of three Glens: Glenaan, Glenballyemon and Glencorp the magnificent summits of Lurigethan and Tievebulliagh overlook the village. The views here are spectacular, both ashore and afloat. In addition to this natural beauty, and akin to many Ulster villages, Cushendall is endowed with exceptional architecture.

The glens are scattered with traces of man's existence here since Neolithic times but Cushendall’s development commenced in the 1600s with the advent of water power and the migration of Scottish settlers. Much of the towns development, particularly the Georgian buildings of the town’s four original streets on the north bank of the River Dall remain entirely intact today. Consequently, in 1973 it was designated as only the second Conservation Area in Northern Ireland.

Historically the town held eight fair days throughout the year. This tradition is kept alive for ten days each August with the 'Heart of the Glens' festival featuring traditional Irish music sessions and friendly pubs.

Cushendall Sailing & Boating Club is small, young and very active. It is open most evenings throughout the summer months and they are particularly welcoming. Visiting Yachtsmen may come in to freshen up and share a pint and a tale in the bar whist taking in stunning north and south views of headlands plus, on a clear day, Scotland and some of its western islands.

Set well into the bight of the bay Cushendall is a good anchorage with secure moorings. As such it is an excellent base to visit the Antrim Coast and Glens Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Walkers will find, a short distance from the village centre, beach walks that can be taken along the shoreline or via the cliff to Layde Church. For the more energetic a hike to the top of Lurigethan will reward a walker with memorable views across the bay to Scotland and over the surrounding glens and small hamlets laid out like patchwork below. There is also a golf course a short walk from the town.

From a larger passage making perspective it also offers another stop off point for boats bound in either direction through the North Channel or indeed crossing from the Western Isles of Scotland – visible all the way from here. Access to Cushendall is straightforward as it is non-tidal and available at all times plus free of off-lying dangers. Hence it serves as a tide wait location to allow mariners to take full advantage of favourable tidal streams that is the dominant feature of this area of the coast.

Any security concerns?

Never an issue known to have occurred to a vessel anchored off Cushendall.

What navigational resources are available for this area?

British Admiralty 1411 ‘Irish Sea - Western Part’ 2199 ‘North Channel – Northern Part’ scale of 75,000:1 and 2198 ‘North Channel - Southern Part’ scale of 75,000:1 are good planning charts for the area. Also Imray chart C62 – ‘Irish Sea’ Chart C64 ‘Belfast Lough to Crinan and Islay’ plus Northern Ireland Ordinance Survey No. 5 and 9 at a scale of 1:50,000 for inland details.

How can I get this offshore?

If you are receiving a mobile signal you can access all of our information via a standard mobile phone internet browser. We provide a streamlined version of the site at www.liyfs.com, which is a shortcut to our 'Lite' site called Lite.InYourFootSteps.com, that is simplified and optimised for speed. Here are the phonetics to pass the address on via VHF: WWW.LIYFS.COM, I SPELL... LIMA... INDIA... YANKEE... FOXTROT... SIERRA... DOT.COM. Similarly, if you have limited or expensive internet capabilities, you may switch to the 'Lite' site www.liyfs.com for faster more efficient access.

Alternatively you may print a hard copy to have aboard. Either print this page with text, illustrations and photos, but without the internet menu, layout, backdrops and Google maps, or economise upon printer consumables and print this page with text only.

With thanks to:

Burke Corbett, Gusserane, New Ross, County Wexford.

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