Sailing inyourfootsteps.com

6°C

Swell today

Direction S, height 1.3 metres, period 9.9 seconds, significant wave height of 1.7 metres.

Haven position?

52° 7.315' N, 006° 36.745' W

Where is that position?

200 metres north of the beach.

What is the initial fix?

: 52° 09.200’N, 006° This waypoint is Kilmore Quay’s safe water marker a red and white buoy that has a white long flash – see photos below. The buoy is positioned between the harbour and Little Saltee Island as illustrated and as it was set in place in April 2007 it may not be marked on most charts.

What is the story here?

The Saltee Islands are two islands that reside off the south coast of County Wexford. This is the recognised day anchorage and landing area for the Great Saltee Island, the largest and southernmost of the two islands.

This is an exposed anchorage located on the north shore of the island. It offers some protection from the south west but you should only plan to come here and land on a very settled day.

The Saltee Islands require careful navigation owing to the numerous outlying rocks and strong currents. They are however very workable in settled clear conditions and highly enjoyable.

Please note that currents can run up to 3.4 knots on springs. If you plan to explore these waters you need to have very good charts such as the recommended large scale British Admiralty 2740 available for purchase in Kilmore Quay.

Why visit here?

This is the best place to come ashore and go for a walk to experience this wonderful natural resource.

The Saltee Islands are Ireland's largest bird sanctuaries with a reputed 300 different species of birds to be found at various times during the year. Birds such as the gulls, gannets and puffin are present, with Great Saltee being particularly famous for its colonies of cormorants. Several million seabirds nest on the islands in springtime making it a must for bird lovers.

Even if you are not interested in birdlife the Saltee Islands are well worth making the short passage as they are particularly beautiful. The photographs presented below were all taken on one brief evening stroll in early May and they should provide a flavour of what is to be seen.

Needless to say care should be taken by landing yachtsmen to avoid disturbing nesting birds. You should also be aware that the Saltee Islands are private islands and you are visiting under good graces of the owners. Sometimes the owner is in residence and this is indicated by a house-flag flying from a flagpole at the top of the steps up from the beach. During these times please stay well clear of the dwelling house during your island walks and vacate the island before 4pm.

How to get in?

If approaching from Kilmore come out via the transits to the safe water marker initial fix and navigate past Murrock and Jackeen Rocks to the north of the described waypoint.

Kilmore Quay Safe Water Marker - white long flash – position: 52° 09.200’N, 006 35.300’W
Jackeen Rock – position: 52 08.438’N, 006 36.722’W
Murrock’s Rock – position: 52 08.753’N, 006° 35.919’W

Stand well clear of the islands at other parts as there are dangerous outlying rocks.

If approaching the islands from the far south note the positions of the Coningbeg Rock, Coningmore Rocks and the Brandies – details below. You may round Great Saltee to the west or east to approach the anchorage but again stand well clear of the islands as there are dangerous outlying rocks.

Your final approach should be straight in from the north of the waypoint.

The north side of Great Saltee’s shoreline is a boulder beach continuing out into a spit to the north of the island. However as you come in on the waypoint you will be able to distinguish the landing spot from the listed waypoint – see photo.

As with the coast the bottom is equally bolder strewn but if you scout around you will see bright coloured sandy spots where you can drop a hook securely. The boat will be safe there for you to land ashore.

When landing come in directly into the beach where the steps are set into the cliff. The boulders on the approach have been cleared so that it is possible to row ashore in a cut and land easily.

Depending on the previous weather conditions the landing area may be covered in kelp, as photographed, but typically there is a nice sand beach to come in on. Take your dinghy ashore after landing and tie up.

If you are planning to cruise around the area and islands please identify and note the position of the following rocks.

Between the Islands and the shore.

Jackeen Rock – position: 52° 08.438’N, 006° 36.722’W
Murrock’s Rock – position: 52° 08.753’N, 006°. 35.919’W
Privateer Rock – position: 52° 08.349’N, 006° 35.635’W
Whitty Rock – position: 52° 07.239’N, 006° 37.577’W
Ring Rock – position: 52° 07.223’N, 006° 36.634’W
Power’s Rock – position: 52° 07.344’N, 006° 37.084’W
Forlorn Rock – position: 52° 09.889’N, 006° 36.172’W
Goose Rock – position: 52° 08.042’N, 006° 35.546’W
Galgee Rock – position: 52° 07.869’N, 006° 35.228’W

South of the Islands and southern approaches

Shoal rock – position: 52° 06.119’N, 006° 37.805’W
Sunken Rock of Makeston – position: 52° 06.853’N, 006° 36 419’W
Brandies – position: 52° 05.852’N, 006° 34.692’W
Coningmore Rocks – position: 52° 05.191’N, 006° 37.283’W
Coningbeg Rock – position: 52° 04.144’N, 006° 38.478’W

Cautions:

Note: Jackeen and Murrock rocks if striking off a course for Hook Head after crossing St Patrick Bridge.
Note: Galgee and Goose rock if rounding the southwest corner of Little Saltee Island.
Note: Forlorn rock if you are trying to cut from Hook Head into the harbour.
Note: Shoal rock when rounding Great Saltee Island’s southwest corner ‘Seven Heads’. You need to plan an outside or inside path round this covered rock.

What are the tides here?

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

Dover -0535, Cobh +0019sp, +0009np.
Tidal Range:
MHWS 3.8m MHWN 2.8m MLWN 1.5m MLWS 0.6m
Direction of tides:
Dover HW to +0500WSW
+0600 to -0100 ENE
South of the Saltees the streams rotate in a clockwise direction.

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 Leinster 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. Carlingford 04, Dublin 83, Wicklow Head 02, 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 facilities are available?

This is a secluded island with no facilities.

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:
Kilmore Harbour Master: monitors channel 9, phone +353 53 912 9955 hmkilmorequay@eircom.net
RNLI, Kilmore Quay’ Mersey Class Lifeboat, phone +353 53 91 29690
Police: +353 53 91 29642 or 91 22333; Doctor: +353 53 91 35296

Any security concerns?

Security issues are unheard of on the Saltee Islands. In fact if anything the reverse is more likely to be encountered. Local boatmen are very welcoming and you can take it that they will by good nature be keeping an eye on the welfare of your vessel, should she drag whilst you are ashore, and be ready to assist you.

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 this area is the large scale British Admiralty 2740 that coves the Saltee Islands & Kilmore Quay at a scale of 1:25,000. This is the best chart if you plan to explore these waters.

Imray charts C57 and C61 overlap in this area plus Discovery Ordinance Survey map 77 covers the land area. Both the excellent ‘’Sailing Directions - Irish Cruising Club - East & North Coasts of Ireland’’ and ‘’Sailing Directions - Irish Cruising Club - South and West Coasts of Ireland’’ offer pilotage.

With thanks to:

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

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