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Today's local tide estimates
Low water: 01:11,
High water: 07:06
Low water: 13:26,
High water: 19:23
Local weather
SSE Force 4, Light drizzle, 13°C
Swell today
Direction WSW, height 0.0 metres, period 9.9 seconds, significant wave height of 0.2 metres.
Summary
A completely protected location with attentive navigation required for access.
LWS draught
3.7 metres (12.14 feet).
Shelter See it »
Completely protected.
Nature (summary)
Anchorage, alongside pier, moorings, urban, scenic, edifying.
Facilities (summary)
Tap, diesel alongside, gas, fuel by jerry can, supermarket, hot food, public houses, cashpoint, post office, internet café, doctor, pharmacy, haul-out, marine engineering, electronic repair, bus, walks, family recreation.
Haven position? See it »
51° 38.812' N, 009° 54.487' W
Where is that position? See it »
Entering the harbour channel on the 010° Leading light east of Came Point.
What are the initial fixes? See it »
The following waypoints will set up a final approach:
(i) Southwest entrance initial fix
51° 36.849' N, 009° 55.679' W
This position is approx 600 metres east of Fair Head, half a nautical mile from the entrance, situated on the 024° leading light and beacon on Dinish Island.
Please note: Initial fixes only set up their listed targets. Do not plan to sail directly between initial fixes as a routing sequence.(ii) Castletown & Bearhaven final harbour approach
51° 38.333' N, 009° 54.588' W
This position is approx 600 metres south of entrance on an intersection of both harbour transits.
Please note: Initial fixes only set up their listed targets. Do not plan to sail directly between initial fixes as a routing sequence.(iii) Bearhaven East entrance initial fix
51° 38.670' N, 009° 45.840' W
This position is approx 600 metres east of Carrigavaddra Perch south cardinal off Lonehort Point.
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?
Castletown Berehaven (Irish: Baile Chaisleáin Bhéarra), also known as Castletownbere, is the principal town of the area and the largest whitefish port in Ireland. Being the headquarters for the Irish fishing fleet, the town, with a population of around 875, has managed to re-establish itself as a commercial center in spite of its isolation. The bustling waterfront is lined with bars, tackle shops and small factories.
Castletown Bearhaven is steeped in history. The name of the town comes from MacCarty Castle which has not survived. However what is particularly visible is the impressive ruins of Dunboy Castle two miles west of the town. This is a vast 19th century house built in a mixture of styles by the Puxley family, who made their fortunes from copper mines. The castle was burned out by the IRA in 1920 and the family departed. Dunboy Woods are now open to the public with picnic areas and walks.
Alongside the Dunboy ruins lie the older O'Sullivan Castle that was reduced by the forces of Elizabeth I in 1602 during the Siege of Dunboy. This was the seat of the O'Sullivan Beare who with the support of Spanish aid and other Gaelic lords, went into rebellion against the English Crown. Following the defeat of the Gaelic Clans at Kinsale (1601), O'Sullivan Beare refused to surrender, and fought his way north from here with over 1000 kinsmen. Only 100 made it to O'Rourke's Castle in Leitrim and the defeated O'Sullivan then left for Spain. He was subsequently murdered returning from Mass.
In 1796 Theobald Wolfe Tone and his confederates sailed into Bantry Bay in French men o' war. They anchored off Ahabeg - a townland five miles east of Castletownbere but the gales were so violent that they could not land. Wolfe Tone fulminated that he was so close to Ireland that he could almost have thrown a ships biscuit onto the shore - he reflected, "England has not had such an escape since the Armada" - perhaps an allusion to the fact that adverse winds frustrated England's mighty enemies on both occasions.
The deep-water harbour was, up to the 19th century, much used by smugglers. From 1922 to 1938, Bearhaven was one of three Treaty ports in the Irish Free State, UK sovereign bases maintained by the Royal Navy. The nearby golf course had been part of the Royal Naval base until 1938. The tennis court used to be where huge oil tanks stood. The sentry boxes still exist at the entrance to the golf course and at a jetty on the golf course. A golf course existed on that site until 1938 to provide diversion for the sailors of the Royal Navy.
Finally if you have a vehicle at your disposal you can follow the Ring route and cut across the Beara at Castletownbere for spectacular mountain scenery. Alternatively mountain hikes here afford breathtaking views of Cork and Kerry and the sea.
All in all this is a lovely little town to visit for shelter, provisions, attend to boat repairs and immerse oneself in the history and beautiful scenery.
How to get in?
Bearhaven may be approached from either the west or east side. The shortest route from the sea to Castletown Bearhaven is the south western approach and this approach is supported by illuminated transits.
South-western Approaches
The main approach to the harbour lies between Fair Head and Ardnakinna Point Fl (2) WR.10s on the western end of Bear Island. On approach you will find supporting beacons and leading lights all the way into the harbour. The first set lead up to Dinish Island then a second into the inner harbour itself.
You will see the first set of leading lights at the entrance on a bearing of 024° up to Dinish Island. The beacons are Red with White vertical stripes on Castletownbere Lighthouse - Dir Oc WRG 5s – situated on Dinish Island with a hut on the mainland beyond. At night simply keep in white sector.
Follow this bearing up the NNE facing entrance fairway, known as Pipers Sound. The fairway that leads between Naglas Point to starboard and Pipers Point to port narrows to about 350 metres with a least depth of 7.9 metres and you should keep a mid channel route. Once through the sound you simply follow the channel on the transit passing Colt Rock Marker well off to port, No 1 Green Marker marking Foilnaboe Rocks to starboard, No 2 Red to port.
After the No 2 Port marker, or if you use the listed harbour entrance waypoint residing on the intersect as a guide, you should pick up on the second set of leading lights situated on the north shore of the harbour. These lead in on a bearing of 010°, Occulting W.3s, to the west of Dinish Island and into Castletown Bearhaven’s inner harbour. The inner harbour entrance channel between Came Point and Perch Rock is less than 50m wide. It is marked by two concrete column beacons on either side. First a green column, marking Perch Rock, situated on the outside of the channel, then a red column on the inside, Q.G & Q.R. The 010° leading lights guide you through both beacons on a mid channel route.
Once inside the harbour it is divided into two halves, on the town side there is 350 metres of berthage, on the Dinish side there is 120 metres of berthage. You may have to search for some time for a slot to come alongside or raft up alongside a fishing boat. The north east quay is usually the best place to find a berth. Avoid the central part of the quay as this is where the ice plant is located and it is in continuous use by fishing vessels.
You may anchor in an area dredged to 2.4m centred 250 metres west of the quay (note RNLI mooring). If a southern blow emerges you may come in closer to Dinish Island for better shelter. Also note Bearhaven provides numerous sheltered anchorages.
Useful positions worthy of note for a south or western entry:
Ardnakinna Point Lighthouse - Fl (2) WR 10s position: 51° 37.104’N 009° 55.092’W
(White 20 meters high round tower 62 meters above MHWS, range 17M)
Castletownbere Lighthouse – Dir. Oc. WRG 5s position: 51° 38.792’N 009° 54.312’W
(This is Castletownbere’s front beacon and sectored light situated on Dinish Island - White hut, red stripe, 6 meters high, 4 above MHWS, range 14 M).
Colt Rock Perch - (unlighted) position: 51° 38.068’N 009° 55.087’W
No 1 Starboard marker – Q.G position: 51° 38.078’N 009° 54.702’W
No 2 Port marker – Q.R position: 51° 38.345’N 009° 54.689’W
Harbour entrance starboard beacon - Q.G position: 51° 38.834’N 009° 54.461’W
(Concrete column painted green marking Perch Rock off Dinish Island shoreline)
Eastern Approaches
The eastern approach to Bearhaven is between Roancarrigmore Fl.WR. 3s, to starboard, and Carrigavaddra South Cardinal Beacon to port. Carrigavaddra is an unlighted beacon upon a 2.7 metre high rocky area half a mile south east of Lonehort Point that is the low eastern most point of Bear Island. The remains of an old pile lighthouse may still be seen on the point.
Pass between these two markers then steer a course of 280 degrees in order to enter Bearhaven well clear of Lonehort Point. Continue down centre of Bearhaven to the Walter Scott South Cardinal buoy leaving:
George Buoy - Fl (2) 10s to starboard.
Bardini Reefer Buoy – North Cardinal Q to port.
Hornet Buoy – South Cardinal VQ (6) + LFl 10s to starboard.
Walter Scott Buoy – South Cardinal Q (6) + LFl 15s to starboard.
Proceed west from here until approximately 600 metres SSW of Dinish when you should sight the 010°, Occulting W.3s harbour beacons upon Castletownbere’s north shore leading to the inner harbour. Then follow directions as above.
Useful positions worthy of note for an eastern entry:
Roancarrigmore Lighthouse - Fl WR 3s position: 51° 39.180’N 009° 44.820’W
(White round tower, black band, 18 meters above MHWS, range 18M)
Carrigavaddra Perch – South Cardinal (unlighted) position: 51° 38.670’N 009° 46.330’W
George Buoy - Fl (2) 10s position: 51° 39.024’N 009° 49.695’W
Bardini Reefer Buoy – North Cardinal Q position: 51° 38.821’N 009° 51.406’W
Hornet Buoy – South Cardinal VQ (6) + LFl 10s position: 51° 38.859’N 009° 52.171’W
Walter Scott Buoy – South Cardinal Q (6) + LFl 15s position: 51° 38.541’N 009° 54.234’W
What are the tides here?
Today's local tide estimates are based on High Water Cobh -0030
Today's Cobh tides — High water: 07:36, 19:53, Low water: 01:41, 13:56
Today's Dover tides — High water: 01:04, 13:22, Low water: 08:17, 20:33 (From Tide Times)
HW Cobh –0048sp, -0012np
MHWS 3.2m MHWN 2.6m MLWN 1.2m MLWS 0.4m
Bearhaven Entrance
In-going High Water Dover (Cobh +0550)
Out-going +0610 Dover (Cobh -0025)
Max spring rate Western entrance 2 kn,
Eastern entrance 0.5kn.
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?
Castletown Berehaven (Irish: Baile Chaisleáin Bhéarra), also known as Castletownbere, is the principal town of the area and the largest whitefish port in Ireland. Being the headquarters for the Irish fishing fleet, the town, with a population of around 875, has managed to re-establish itself as a commercial center in spite of its isolation. The bustling waterfront is lined with bars, tackle shops and small factories.
Castletown Bearhaven is steeped in history. The name of the town comes from MacCarty Castle which has not survived. However what is particularly visible is the impressive ruins of Dunboy Castle two miles west of the town. This is a vast 19th century house built in a mixture of styles by the Puxley family, who made their fortunes from copper mines. The castle was burned out by the IRA in 1920 and the family departed. Dunboy Woods are now open to the public with picnic areas and walks.
Alongside the Dunboy ruins lie the older O'Sullivan Castle that was reduced by the forces of Elizabeth I in 1602 during the Siege of Dunboy. This was the seat of the O'Sullivan Beare who with the support of Spanish aid and other Gaelic lords, went into rebellion against the English Crown. Following the defeat of the Gaelic Clans at Kinsale (1601), O'Sullivan Beare refused to surrender, and fought his way north from here with over 1000 kinsmen. Only 100 made it to O'Rourke's Castle in Leitrim and the defeated O'Sullivan then left for Spain. He was subsequently murdered returning from Mass.
In 1796 Theobald Wolfe Tone and his confederates sailed into Bantry Bay in French men o' war. They anchored off Ahabeg - a towns land five miles east of Castletownbere but the gales were so violent that they could not land. Wolfe Tone fulminated that he was so close to Ireland that he could almost have thrown a ships biscuit onto the shore - he reflected, "England has not had such an escape since the Armada" - perhaps an allusion to the fact that adverse winds frustrated England's mighty enemies on both occasions.
The deep-water harbour was, up to the 19th century, much used by smugglers. From 1922 to 1938, Bearhaven was one of three Treaty ports in the Irish Free State, UK sovereign bases maintained by the Royal Navy. The nearby golf course had been part of the Royal Naval base until 1938. The tennis court used to be where huge oil tanks stood. The sentry boxes still exist at the entrance to the golf course and at a jetty on the golf course. A golf course existed on that site until 1938 to provide diversion for the sailors of the Royal Navy.
Finally if you have a vehicle at your disposal you can follow the Ring route and cut across the Beara at Castletownbere for spectacular mountain scenery. Alternatively mountain hikes here afford breathtaking views of Cork and Kerry and the sea.
All in all this is a lovely little town to visit for shelter, provisions, attend to boat repairs and immerse oneself in the history and beautiful scenery.
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
Other useful contacts in this area:
Harbour Master: Captain Peter Murphy
VHF 16 & 14
Tel +353 (0) 27 70220
Any security concerns?
- It is difficult to find a spot that not in the way of commercial fishing. I have always left someone on board to shift the boat in the event of a problem while some are off shopping. Friendly spot and I have never heard of a security problem there.
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. Detail is provided by 1840 ‘Bantry Bay - Black Ball Head to Shot’ Scale of 1:30,000 (including Castletown Bearhaven Scale of 1:15,000 provide detail). Imray C56 ‘Cork Harbour to Dingle Bay’ scale of 1:170,000. 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.
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.
