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Today's local tide estimates
Low water: 02:09,
High water: 08:24
Low water: 14:27,
High water: 21:01
Local weather
SSE Force 3, Clear/Sunny, 14°C
Swell today
Direction ESE, height 0.0 metres, period 9.9 seconds, significant wave height of 0.2 metres.
Summary
An exposed location with attentive navigation required for access.
LWS draught
3 metres (9.84 feet).
Shelter See it »
Sheltered: SW, W, NW
Unprotected: N, NE, E, SE, S
Nature (summary)
Anchorage, scenic.
Facilities (summary)
(None)
Haven position? See it »
55° 13.870' N, 006° 55.490' W
Where is that position? See it »
It is approximately midway between Dungaree Point and Inishowen Head, just inside the 5 metres contour off Portnocker beach.
What are the initial fixes? See it »
The following waypoints will set up a final approach:
(i) Lough Foyle North Channel Initial Fix
55° 14.155' N, 006° 53.700' W
One mile east of Inishowen Head and 400 metres northwest of Red Tuns Light (port hand) Buoy F1. R.3s. It is set on the 222° line of bearing of the Martello tower on Magilligan Point that leads into the North Channel. From here a bearing of 255° (T) for a distance of one mile will lead to the Portnocker anchorage.
Please note: Initial fixes only set up their listed targets. Do not plan to sail directly between initial fixes as a routing sequence.(ii) Lough Foyle South Channel Initial Fix
55° 11.760' N, 006° 57.084' W
Midway between the shore and the southern edge of the Tuns Bank in the narrowest part of the South Channel in approximately 10 metres of water.
Please note: Initial fixes only set up their listed targets. Do not plan to sail directly between initial fixes as a routing sequence.
Why visit here?
Portnocker, White Bay, Silver Strand and Cornashamma Bay provide access to the eastern Inishowen shoreline. Of the four locations Silver Strand, and Cornashamma Bay, to the south but outside Lough Foyle, offer the best protection but White Bay and Portnocker are the most northerly anchorages.
As such provide good passage anchorages for boats en route east or west or looking for a lunch stop or an interesting shore visit. In this context Portnocker is closest anchoring location to the beautiful secluded cove of Port-a-Doris from which the beach derives its unusual name.
Port-a-Doris meaning ‘Port of the Door’ is a deep slot on the Inishowen headland. The cove is accessible only at low tide through a natural arch in the cliff off Port-a-Doris strand, and hence the cove’s name. Once through the arch of the natural door a fairytale like secluded cove presents itself littered with Shroove pebbles. The lovely cove is a strange and enchanting place to all who visit. Climbers on-the-other-hand find Port-a-Doris’s northwest face or crag the locations most attractive feature and it is a very popular challenge.
How to get in?
Western Approach. A western approach from Malin Head to Portnocker will find a rugged Atlantic coastline. Malin Head, the northern most point of Ireland, is a low 70 metre high rounded hill with a square derelict concrete tower on top. The shoreline here is bold, jagged and fringed by outlying rocks that are steep-to and always visible. With the exception of Scars Rocks, lying about 400 metres west of the headland and always visible, there are no off-lying obstructions. A berth of 300 metres or more clears all dangers here but it gets more challenging once Malin Head is rounded.
Careful advance planning is required as this corner of Ireland has to be treated with the utmost of respect. Here the Atlantic Ocean collides with the runs of the Irish coastal tide amidst two rocky island groups, the Garvan Isles and Inishtrahull.
The Garvan Isles that reside to the east of Malin Head. They are a collection of barren islands ranging from 15 to 22 metres in height that are surrounded by sunken rocks and shoals. Inishtrahull is a sizable uninhabited island situated three miles northwest of the outermost Garvan Isle. It is nearly a mile long and is made up of two rounded hills joined by a stretch of low ground with a lighthouse at its western end.
Inishtrahull Lighthouse - Fl(3)15s 59m19M position: 55° 55 25.864’N, 007° 14.628’W
The south side of the Inishtrahull is steep-to and clear of danger. However a dangerous 22 metre high arc of rock called the Tor Rock resides nearly a mile off Inishtrahull’s north side that requires attention. It should be noted that Inishtrahull has a separately covered anchorage Portmore situated upon its northern side.
There are three lines of attack available to round Malin Head; the first is to go through Inishtrahull Sound, the second go through Garvan Sound, the third, go way offshore and round Inishtrahull and the Torr Rocks.
If there is any sea running, bad weather, an adverse tide, or you are in doubt in any way, it is advisable to take the third option that is the safest route. Head out to sea and take the offshore route around the outside of Inishtrahull. Those taking the offshore route should give Inishtrahull, and more importantly the off lying Torr Rocks, a wide berth of at least three miles.
However if conditions are good with daylight and the inclination is towards more interesting sailing, the routes through either of the ‘Sounds’ are much shorter options. The first is the offshore Inishtrahull Sound route between the Garvan Isles and Inishtrahull and the latter is the Garvan Sound route between the Garvan Isles and the mainland. It should be noted there is only a mile to be saved by taking the slightly more complex inshore Garvin Sound route. The best advice to address either of these routes is to carefully study Garvan Isles and Sound charts well before the approach and factor in the tide to the timing. Here are some useful notes to observe.
For the three mile wide Inishtrahull Sound route the key rocks to note are Doherty rock that resides a quarter of a mile to the northwest. They uncover at three-quarters ebb when they are clearly visible by the breakers. Also Duvglas, the northernmost islet, that has an elevation of 17 metres. Once the Garvan Isles are abeam to starboard make way towards Glengad Head.
For the Garvan Sound route, the key rock to locate is the covered Blind Rock with 1.8 metres of water over it. It is situated approximately 800 metres to the northeast of a point on the mainland, and is to be left to the south passing through the sound. By keeping the Chimney Rock at Carrickaveol Head (approximately 4 miles east by southeast on the mainland coast) just open of the singular 70 metre high Stookaruddan (bold and loaf-shaped, 1.5 miles closer on the mainland coast) a vessel will pass approximately 400 metres to the north of the Blind Rock. This should represent a 117° line of bearing to track in.
When past Blind Rock and approaching Carnadreelagh Isle, or the low flat-topped Rossnabartan Isle comes due south, turn hard to the southeast for a very short leg to bring Stookaruddan onto a 115° bearing shutting Chimney Rock in behind it. This leads through the 600 metres wide Garvan Sound that exists between Carnadreelagh Isle and the 2.1 metre rock patch to the southwest of the cut. The least depth of the sound is 12.8 metres and once the Garvan Isles are abeam to port, make way towards Glengad Head. It should be noted that Slievebane Bay and Malin Harbour provide a separately covered anchorage immediately south of Garvan Sound.
The passage to Portnocker is rocky with high and brooding cliffs and once past Stookaruddan a berth of 400 metres will keep a vessel clear of all dangers. The stacks add interest along the route but caves and arches are very few and far between.
Glengad Head is a bluff headland with a remarkable hill near its extremity. The area to the south of Glengad Head is locally known as The Rue where the coast progressively lowers in height for the final two and a half miles south to Culdaff Bay. All dangers will be cleared by staying 200 metres or more off the shoreline here.
The separately covered Culdaff Bay is passed next between Dunmore Head and Bunnagee Point. Keep at least three hundred metres off Bunnagee Point to clear Bo Rock that resides immediately northeast of the point. Next is the separately covered Tremone Bay three miles further southeast, between Rubonid Point and Ballymagaraghy Point. Two miles further on, the separately covered Kinnagoe Bay is passed – keep offshore of Kinnagoe Head that extends out with Dungloon cliffs where ‘The Galleon’ sea stack may be seen. Likewise on the opposite side, or eastern side of the bay, ‘The Dutchman’ reef extends out 300 metres from the shore here. Finally the separately covered Portkill is passed before rounding Inishowen Head.
The coast is steep-to and free from danger with 20 metres of water a quarter of a mile off. A berth of 300 metres off the shore clears all dangers in this area.
Backed by high hills, the bold, precipitous and considerably indented, Inishowen Head terminates the lough’s mountainous north shore. The abrupt precipice is free from dangers extending more than 300 metres offshore and it is well marked. Two miles to the northeast of the head is the Lough Foyle Buoy, a safe water pillar buoy.
Lough Foyle Buoy - L Fl 10s position: 55° 15.322’N, 006° 52.616’W
Once Inishowen Head is abeam make for the listed ‘Lough Foyle North Channel Initial Fix’. This is set close to the Tuns buoy and tracks in southwest on the 222° line of bearing of the Magilligan Point Martello tower.
Tuns Buoy - F1 R 3 position: 55° 14.004’N, 006° 53.440’W
A bearing of 255° (T) from the Initial Fix situated close to the Tuns marker will lead to the Portnocker anchorage that is just over a mile away. Inishowen Lighthouse, situated half a mile southwest of Inishowen Head upon Dunagree Point, will be visible all the way.
Inishowen Lighthouse - Fl (2) WRG 10s2 8m 18/14M position: 55° 13.556’N, 006° 55.749’W
Locally known as ‘Shrove’ or ‘Stroove’ Lighthouse it is a substantial white tower with two black bands. Inishowen Lighthouse provides a sectored light support for the commercial channel as follows Fl (2) WRG 10s W18M, W211° to 249°, R14M 249° to 360°, G14M from 197 to 211°.
If approaching from the east, from Portrush or Ramore head, Portrush Bay will be found to shoal gradually inwards towards the strand – for coastal directions from further east please use details provided in the separately covered Portrush entry. Upon the Bay’s west side lies Rock Doo, 200 metres out from the shore drying to 1.2 metres, and about 200 metres further to the west of it is the Moat, a half-tide rock.
From here a rocky shoreline leads two and a half miles west by southwest to Portstewart Point and this has two rocks in its immediate vicinity that require attention. The nine metre high Black Rock, 100 metres northeast of Portstewart Point, and a half-tide rock called Lausons Rock, 150 metres out from Black Rock.
From Portstewart Point the rocky coast turns south and levels to a sandy beach backed by a range of sand-hills. This shoreline leads to the River Bann entrance, two miles southwest of Portstewart Point. From the river entrance the coastline is fronted by a low sandy beach extending nine miles to Magilligan Point with rocky precipices rising to Mount Benevenagh’s 396 metre summit a short distance inland. A mile west of the River Bann entrance, upon the cliff edge, the conspicuous classical Mussenden Temple will be noticeable, a white tower approximately five metres in height.
With the exception of the Tuns Bank, at the Foyle entrance, this passage is clear of any danger save for the shoaling beach. By keeping the easterly approach at least half a mile off shore the passage will be clear of all dangers.
Eastern Approach. An easterly approaching vessel has two available options to approaching Portnocker. These are, north around the Tuns Bank, and enter via the ‘North Channel’ as already described in the western approach, or an alternate approach via a ‘South Channel’.
The ‘South Channel’, locally known as the ‘back strand’, resides between the Tuns Bank and the Macgilligan shore. It has a least depth of 3.4 metres upon approach, is about 400 metres wide at its narrowest part and, although unmarked, it is straightforward. Utilising this channel avoids heading out to the Tuns buoy so that an inshore approaching vessel from the separately covered Portrush or the River Bann for instance, can save two or three miles of sailing entering Lough Foyle. But for boats visiting Portnocker there is little or no difference and the route selection will largely be a function of making the best of the existing tides at the time of the planned arrival.
The ‘South Channel’ may be addressed by coming inshore and approaching along the coast at a distance off of about 600 metres. Half a mile before Magilligan, come closer inshore to a distance off of 400 metres, to make way through the final cut south of the Tuns Bank. Once Magilligan point is abeam you are safe to head out into ‘North Channel’ and then turn to starboard for Portnocker. Please note if using the South Channel on an ebb tide be attentive to navigation as it sets strongly across the channel towards the unmarked southeast edge of Tuns Bank.
The main shipping channel resides between the Tuns Bank on the east and the Donegal’s Inishowen shore on the west. This is called the ‘North Channel’ and is deep, steep-to on both sides, well marked plus three quarters of a mile wide and it keeps the Tuns Bank to Port. This bank extends about 3 miles in a north-easterly direction from the Macgilligan shore. Its highest part is near the south edge, which is steep-to on the west side, and it runs nearly parallel to the opposite Inishowen shore. You can expect to see breakers on the bank upon approach to help make its location visible.
Follow the North Channel north-easterly direction for two miles to Portnocker where the Inishowen Lighthouse will be clearly visible all the way. Please note there is also a smaller disused lighthouse that is white with one black band situated approximately a mile east of Inishowen Lighthouse.
This leg will take you past the separately covered locations of Greencastle, Silver Strand, Cornashamma Bay and White Bay.
Final Approach: The anchorage will be found on the north side of the lighthouse and Dunagree Point, approximately midway between there and Inishowen Head. When rounding Dungaree Point, keep well clear of the point as it extends to a rock 100 metres out beneath the surface. Pass White Bay to port until the 2.7 metres high Cooladiven Islets on the north side White Bay are passed abeam. Once clear of Cooladiven turn to port and anchor in a depth to your preference in sand.
Those approaching from the north should make note of the off lying 1.2 metre drying Gallanboy that resides between the anchorage and Inishowen Head.
What are the tides here?
Today's local tide estimates are based on High Water Belfast -0500
Today's Belfast tides — High water: 01:11, 13:24, Low water: 07:09, 19:27
Today's Dover tides — High water: 01:04, 13:22, Low water: 08:17, 20:33 (From Tide Times)
High Water Moville +0350 Dover
MHWS 2.3m MHWN 1.8m MLWN 0.8m MLWS 0.3m
Direction of stream
Offshore of Lough Foyle
Dover -0530 East going, +0030 West going; spring rate of 2 knots
In the Entrance
Dover -0320 Ebb (one hour less at Magilligan Point); spring rate of 3.5 knots.
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 facilities are available?
Portnocker has no facilities and the nearest supplies can be found in the separately covered fishing village of Greencastle or the small town of Moville. An alternative is the small village of Stroove a few miles north of the village of Greencastle off the R238.
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. The Irish Coast Guard has a coastal unit at Greencastle.
Other useful contacts in this area:
Harbour Master: VHF Ch 16 and 14 ~ Call sign "Harbour Radio"
Phone: +44 28 71 861113; Mobile: +44 780 1032387
Email: harbourradio@londonderryport.com; Coleraine Harbour Radio: VHF Ch 12; phone +44 28 70 342012
Any security concerns?
Never an issue known to occur to a vessel anchored at Portnocker.
What navigational resources are available for this area?
British Admiralty 2798 ‘Lough Foyle to Sanda Island including Rathlin Island’ scale of 200,000:1 and 2723 ‘Western Approaches to the North Channel’ scale of 200,000:1 large scale. Closer in Admiralty 2811 ‘Sheep Haven to Lough Foyle including Inishtrahull’ scale of 75,000 and Admiralty 2511 ‘Approaches to Lough Foyle’ scale of 25,000:1 and 2510 ‘Approaches to Londonderry’ scale of 25,000:1.
Imray chart C64 ‘Belfast Lough to Crinan and Islay’ plus Northern Ireland Ordinance Survey No. 3 and 4 at a scale of 1:50,000 for inland details.
With thanks to:
Bill McCann, Londonderry Harbour Master.
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.
