Explore: Bantry Bay
General Info
Bantry Bay is the largest of the long inlets in south-west Ireland. It is approximately 21 miles long and 4 miles wide at its entrance. At the head of this inlet is the town of Bantry.
Position 51°40.85’N, 009°27.85’W (Bantry harbour)
Clearance
This is a Port of Entry.
See the Noonsite/Ireland/formalities page for full details for clearance.
Docking
Centre of Bantry town can be reached by dinghy at high tide, otherwise it is a good walk from the sailing club slip. A new marina is located behind the town pier…
The northern shore provides many sheltered anchorages, although the Bay itself is exposed to the SW’lies.
Lawrence Cove marina is tucked into an inlet on the N side of Bere Island and Whiddy Island protects Bantry and provides several sheltered moorings.
Also providing shelter in substantial inlets, are Adrigole Harbour and, the stunning setting of Glengarriff Harbour.
Castletown Bere, north of Bere Island, is closely protected by the small Dinish Island which forms the southern side of the harbour. The western entrance, Piper Sound, is the normal approach, as the eastern one is spanned by a low bridge. The anchorage is good in about 2.5m, in the mud.
Last updated August 2018.
