Sailing inyourfootsteps.com

9°C

Swell today

Direction S, height 2.2 metres, period 9.9 seconds, significant wave height of 2.8 metres.

Haven position?

51° 48.565' N, 009° 53.750' W

Where is that position?

In the Northeast inlet of Garinish Island locally known as ‘The Bag’

What is the initial fix?

600 metres south of the normal entrance (east of Sherky Island)

What is the story here?

Sneem Harbour is a sheltered anchorage situated on the north side of the Kenmare River opposite Kilmakilloge. It is a very good anchorage as well as one of Kerry’ most picturesque locations and should not be missed by a passing yachtsman.

The inner harbour, in the western arm of Sneem Harbour, affords complete protection to a vessel in a range of anchoring locations plus visitor boat moorings. The harbour requires normal navigation in daylight owing to low and shelving shores, with the mountains behind them, making the shore indistinct at night.

Please note that the inner harbour may be accessed from the west side of Sherky Island or from the east side via a southern approach. The latter eastern or southern approach is the preferred route for first time visitors.

Why visit here?

The name Sneem (Irish: An tSnaidhm) translates into the English "The Knot".
This name is believed to be derived from the fact that Sneem village comprises of two squares, North and South. There is a bridge in the middle of the village which acts as a knot between the two village squares.

Located on the world renowned ‘Ring Of Kerry’ Sneem harbour is one of the jewels of Kenmare bay. It is safe in any wind conditions with calm peaceful nights and timber coming right down to the waters edge in places. In the early summer the bay area is covered in rhododendrons which add a lovely splash of colour.

The trip up to Sneem in the dingy is also a bit of fun and a challenge if coming back in the dark to find the boat again. It is the perfect way to see this picturesque little village. Although not a boating visitor former French President Charles de Gaulle visited Sneem on numerous occasions and there is a sculpture commemorating this in the village. Another Sneem statue commemorates "Steve 'Crusher' Casey" the undefeated heavyweight wrestling champion of the world 1938-1947. Also unexpectedly of note is Thomas Melville, the first head of the British Secret Service, was born at nearby Direenaclaurig Cross.

If one wants piece and quiet the expansive bay also offers several possibilities for finding a quiet spot to ones self. As you search you will passing sun bathing seals and lovely wooded, coniferous, rhododendron and mussel covered islands as you find your way. Truly Sneem is one of the must visit locations in the Kerry cruising route.

How to get in?

As described the best approach is from the south between Sherky Island (34m) on the west side and Rossdohan Island (36m) on the east.

Approach close to the southeast side of Sherky Island taking a middle course up the mile wide gap steering 013° on the Parknasilla Hotel, a large conspicuous building on the mainland 2 miles north of Sherky Island.
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When well past the Inishkeragh Island (the third island on the port side that appear in the following order Sherky, Illaunanadan, Inishkeragh Island) steer 318° on the northeastern extreme of Garinish Island to make for the inner harbour, in the western arm of Sneem Harbour.

When rounding the northeastern corner of Garinish Island give it a berth of 100 metres as there is foul ground off the shoreline.

Do not go too far to the north east as there is also a rock on the opposite, or on the starboard side of the approach off Illaunslea that is awash at low water. This lies approximately 250 metres southwest of Illaunslea.


Cutting in northwest of Sherky Island

The harbour may also be entered from the west by coming in northwest of Sherky Island. The navigational width is reduced to less than 500 metres by Cottoner Rock that resides around the middle of Sherky Island approximately 300 metres off to the northwest. This is further reduced in bad weather when breakers will be found more than half way across the cut. Hence this channel should be avoided unless visibility is excellent, conditions are settled and local knowledge is at hand.

Pass between Cottoner Rock (dries 0.3m) and Inishkeelaghmore keeping closer to the latter to avoid the rock, as Inishkeelaghmore is relatively clear on its southeast side.

Then keep about 200 metres off Potato Islet (400 metres northeast of Inishkeelaghmore on the port side) passing the submerged rocks called the ‘Murin Patch’ that extend northeast from the islet.

Please make note of the Inishkeragh offshore rocks, lying 200 metres northwest of the island, on the starboard side.


Arriving form the East

If entering from the east, keep outside the 30m depth contour, or 500 metres offshore of ‘Bullig Point’ at the south-westernmost point of Rossdohan Island. The ground is foul here with a reef that can have breakers out to 20m even in a moderate swell.


Anchoring possibilities

Once inside the western arm of the harbour a range of excellent anchoring opportunities lie within the inner harbour, which affords excellent shelter and good holding in sand.

There is a particularly sheltered anchorage in the small bight on the northeast side of Garinish Island known as ‘The Bag’ offering depths of 2 to 3 metres. You may also anchor in 6 metres between ‘Goat Island’ and ‘Oysterbed House’ pier on the mainland north of Garinish Island. You may land at the Oysterbed House pier where you will always find 1.5 metres although it is not well set up for tethering a dinghy.

Three seasonal mooring buoys for visiting yachts are laid in the bight in the northeast corner.
Sneem moorings – position: 51° 48.700’N, 009° 53.600’W
The moorings are rated to 15 tons and are large, coloured bright yellow and labelled VISITOR.

Alternatively in settled weather conditions you may anchor in the harbours northeast bight in depths of 5 to 7 metres near the Parknasilla Hotel. Both shores of this bight are fringed by off lying rocks plus there is a rock marked by a 2 m conical concrete beacon that dries situated approximately 500 metres south-southeast of the hotel. A vessel anchored in this location is welcome to land at a pier owned by Parknasilla Hotel to the east of the hotel. It is best to land on the beach at the outside of the quay.

All anchored and moored vessels in the Sneem Harbour area should carry a light throughout the night.

What are the tides here?

Today's Dover tides — High waters: 11:11, 23:32, Low waters: 06:21, 18:43 ^{From Tide Times}

HW Cobh -0113sp, -0033np
MHWS 3.5m MHWN 2.7m MLWN 1.2m MLWS 0.4m

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?

Oysterbed House pier has a water tap. There are basic necessities in Sneem itself that is a good hour or two mile walk up the lane from the Oysterbed House quay. The national route N70 runs through the town so it has good connections.

You may alternatively take a dinghy trip up the Sneem River that flows into the inner harbour. This requires an outboard as it is a half hour or 1.5 mile trip, without wrong turns, Discovery Ordinance Survey map 84 is recommended plus a compass. Sneem is only accessible by dinghy at half flood but it is a particularly picturesque trip and the best way to see the town.

Parknasilla Hotel is another good dingy run for its excellent restaurant and bar, please make yourself known to staff and remove all yachting gear when in the hotel.

What emergency contacts are there?

Valentia Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre (MRSC) VHF Ch 24 & MF 1752 kHz covers this costal area. Cork (26), Mizen (04), Bantry Bay (23), Shannon (28) and Galway (04) 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. Valentia (MRSC) may be called on +353 669 476 109

Any security concerns?

Never a problem known to have occurred in Sneem Harbour.

What navigational resources are available for this area?

The large scale Admiralty Charts 2424 ‘Kenmare River to Cork Harbour’ Scale of 1:150,000 covers this area. 2495 ‘Kenmare River‘ Scale of 1:60,000 covers ‘Sneem Harbour’ scale of 1:30,000, plus ‘Dursey Sound’ scale of 1:12,500, ‘Ardgroom and Kilmakilloge Harbours’ scale of 1:30,000, ‘Ballycrovane Harbour’ scale of 1:30,000, ‘Upper Kenmare River’ scale of 1:30,000.

Imray C56 ‘Cork Harbour to Dingle Bay’ scale of 1:170,000 and Discovery Ordinance Survey map 84 also cover this area. The Pilot ’Sailing Directions - Irish Cruising Club - South and West Coasts of Ireland’’ covers this in great detail.

With thanks to:

Burke Corbett, Gusserane, New Ross, Co. Wexford.

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