Carnlough Harbour is situated at the northern end of Carnlough Bay
between Garron Point and Park Head. It is a small harbour with an
inner and outer basin; the inner basin is generally full of local
boats and the visitor is unlikely to find a berth there. Basically
you'd be better off these days going into Glenarm; the HM says you
are unlikely to get in and, if you do, it'd be rafted on to a
lobster potter. There are alongside berths available on the Quay
opposite the harbour entrance to the south west of the lead in
marks or at the outer end of the north east pier but these are not
boat friendly.
The harbour entrance is marked by black and white striped beacons
and there are lead in marks on 310° to guide one in. The harbour
entrance does have depth problems due to kelp and a sand bar but
was dredged in 2010 but as at 2019 it's down to about a metre.
As with most harbours on this coast, once inside there is good
protection from most winds, but entrance should not be attempted in
strong onshore winds. Winds from the SE would make the quay an
uncomfortable berth. The Harbour Master also advises that it would
be unwise to leave boats unattended on the quay wall as holiday
visitors occupying the Caravan Site near the harbour can sometimes
cause disruption and unwanted empty cans and bottles.
The town itself although normally quiet is a lovely spot from
which to explore the Glens of Antrim and has several attractive
walks close by.
Carnlough Harbour
Approach
Tidal Data:
The Standard Port for this coastline is Belfast....
....nearly ten miles inland from the Irish Sea which funnels in and
out past here through the North Channel at vast rates causing
eddies and counter currents around every headland on the way.
Tidal predictions for the larger ports are as accurate as can be in
such conditions but, for the minor ports &
anchorages, extrapolation is virtually impossible. Belfast
itself varies anything from 10 to 50 minutes from Dover and HW
Carnlough varies + or - 20 minutes on Belfast. The best
information is that MHWS is 1.8m and MHWN is 1.5m; there is no data
for LW.
The Easy Tide link given on this page is for Red Bay further along
the coast, so is approximate.
Approach and Entry:
There are no off lying dangers to take one by surprise and entry
should be made from the South East on a heading of 310°.
The harbour entrance was down to 0.5 m before dredging in 2010, It
is shown in almanacs earlier than that as 1m. The Harbour Master
says it is now 1m (May 2019); what it will be for the 2020 season
is debatable.
It is suggested that a visiting boat would be wise to contact the
HM as to the state of the dredge before attempting an entry and to
stay close on the lead in marks when doing so.
If in any doubt whatever, Glenarm Marina is less than 2 miles south of
here.
Harbour
Anchorage
Marina
£ GMT
Waypoint
None given
Charts
AC 2199 North Channel South Part,... SC5612 – 14, Larne Lough to Cushendun Bay,.... Imray C64 Belfast Lough to Lough Foyle and Crinan
Rules & Regs
None Known
Hazards
None Known
Tides
HW Carnlough varies + or – 20 minutes on Belfast. The best information is that MHWS is 1.8m and MHWN is 1.5m; there is no data for LW. See Approach and Entry section
Berthing
Alongside berths in about 1.5m are available on the quay....
....to the SW of the lead in marks and at the outer end of the NE
pier. It is a very small harbour with not very much room to
manoeuvre a big boat and it also shallows to nothing at the NE end
of the harbour. Berthing cost £2.50 per metre in 2019.
It is also possible to anchor about 200yards off the harbour
mouth in about 5m when the weather is settled and offshore.
Facilities
Water is supplied from a standpipe on the quay in the inner
harbour; there are no showers but public toilets (not 24hrs) are
available in the car park on the other side of the Harbour road.
There is still a petrol station on the road out of Carnlough to the
South.
The Post Office has NI Tourist Rep and there are shops, a bank and
ATM on the High Street.
What to Do
The visitor will find plenty of pubs and restaurants as this
village has become a focal point for those who want to "Get away"
from the big city. There is a bank, ATM and also several small
convenience stores
History
Local Business
Uncategorised
Tide Information for carnlough-harbour
HW Carnlough varies + or – 20 minutes on Belfast. The best information is that MHWS is 1.8m and MHWN is 1.5m; there is no data for LW. See Approach and Entry section
Visited here and Glenarm in July 2024. Carnlough is shallow
for entry and no space inside for visitors. Visitors are not
encouraged. Outside the harbour and 3-400m north, (opposite a
caravan park) is a reasonable anchorage in 5-6m in calm
conditions.
1
0
UPDATE JULY 2022
27 Jul 2022
by
Don Thomson 3
No changes apart from reiterating our (and the HM's) advice to
use Glenarm.
0
0
Update Early Summer 2021
27 Jul 2021
by
Don Thomson 3
No changes
0
0
UPDATE SUMMER 2021 extra
15 Jul 2021
by
Don Thomson 3
I've added a link to the tides around Rathlin Island and the
NE corner of Northern Ireland which may be of use to the cruising
sailor.
0
0
Update Spring 2019
02 May 2019
by
Don Thomson 3
I reviewed these notes in May 2019. It hasn't been dredged for
about eight years so the depth at the entrance is doubtful. The HM
(who covers Glenarm as well) was basically un-encouraging about
taking cruising yachts in here.
0
0
UPDATE APRIL 2017
05 Apr 2017
by
Don Thomson
These notes were reviewed by Don in April 2017. They are now
charging £2.20 pmpn - seems to have dropped from earlier
years.
0
0
Update 2015
18 Mar 2015
by
Don Thomson
These notes were updated by Don in March 2015. The prices have
been changed
1
0
Update November 2013
05 Nov 2013
by
Don Thomson
These notes were updated by Don Thomson the 5th November 2013.
It should be noted that this harbour is only suitable for shallow
draft boats and there is only room for one or perhaps two visitors
at a time.
