Explore: Strangford Lough
General Info
Famous for its birdlife, Strangford Lough is the U.K.’s largest sea inlet, being about 17 miles long and 4 miles wide. It provides an all weather, all tide shelter on a stretch of the west coast which has no other. It has numerous bays, inlets and islands, and is an important and protected wildlife site. At the northern end of the 5-mile long entrance narrows, lies the town of Strangford, and opposite, on the eastern shore, the village of Portaferry. It is a very popular sailing area and the many clubs in the area provide visiting yachtsmen with a warm welcome.
Position: 54° 19.30’N, 05° 30.83’W (Lough entrance)
Docking
If unfamiliar with the area, use the eastern channel through the narrows and beware of the strong tides and the car ferry shuttling between Strangford and Portaferry.
In April 2008 the new tidal turbines within the narrows at the entrance to Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland, were installed. Turbine blades are not a major navigational hazard fort yachts as they are set at a considerable depth. The only part of the structure that protrudes above the water is a large concrete post. The turbine is identified by the colours and top-mark of an “isolated danger mark”.
Pilotage:
When there is wind against tide there are overfalls at the SE approach to the Lough and at the bar.
At the narrows of the lough, by the turbine, the flood starts at HW – 3 1/2 hours Belfast and the ebb starts at HW + 2 1/2. At Springs the tidal stream can reach 7 knots.
Moorings:
There are a few visitors’ moorings at Strangford. The Quoile yacht club has a visitors pontoon as well as moorings, as do several of the yacht and sailing clubs around the lough.
There are plenty of anchorages and it will be possible to find shelter whatever the weather. Castleward Bay, Grey Point and between Jackdaw and Chapel Islands are some useful ones.
Last updated January 2010.
Harbour Master – Strangford Lough
