Carrickfergus Marina and Harbour

Tidal information:
As can be seen from our set of chartlets for the streams in Belfast Lough (see "More Information" below).....

.......the tidal streams in Belfast Lough can be quite varied. The chartlets show the general direction of the streams throughout the tidal cycle but should be not used as a measurement of exact direction or rate for navigation. Any transit of these waters must be carefully planned with regard to the tides.

Within the area under the control of Belfast Harbour the streams are not too strong and go with the High and Low waters at Belfast. Beyond a line from Grey Point to Carrickfergus they diverge (or converge) from the North and South flows in the North Channel. Tidal Diamond B on AC 1753-0 is right in the middle of this convergence and not indicative of what's going on around the edges. Note from that chart that, in the vicinity of Grey Point to the West of Bangor the flood springs diverge to give a counter current of unspecified strength towards Bangor.

The flows in the vicinity of the Copeland Island group are often contrary to the main flows in the Lough and the North Channel, reach strengths of up to 3.5 kts and can set up races and overflows where they meet. Off the NE corner of Mew Island there are overfalls on the ebb and flood tides - set NNW and SSE with the tides. It should be noted that as a result of these contrary streams the direction of buoyage within this channel is NW with the flood into the Lough not, as could be expected, SSE with the flood into the Irish sea.

Update Dec 2021 New SHM (QG) in Position Lat: 54° 44.125'N Long: 005° 41.606'W off Cloughan Pier

Approach:

The marina should be contacted for berthing instructions on VHF channel 80 before entering. Page 16 of the Marina Handbook has a diagram of the berths and a wise skipper would have some sort of copy of that to hand before starting the approach as the berth signage is not that obvious. We have also provided that diagram in our picture gallery top right on this site.

The approach light on the Western pier head of the marina makes the approach to the marina fairly simple. In daylight there are triangular lead in marks; they are a little obscure but the beacons on the pierheads are easily seen. The waypoint is in the central white arc of the approach beacon and the marina can be accessed on a bearing of 310(T) from there. The entrance to the marina will not be seen until it starts to open in the latter stages of the approach and once abeam the east pierhead a turn to starboard should be initiated to pass through the middle of the entrance prior to turning to port to enter the marina. The marina lanes are nice and wide (see photos) but an easterly wind can sweep through here so full moorings including outside springs should be considered.

The Marina advises that although every effort is used to maintain the depth in the approach channel it is subject to the shifting sands from the Carrickfergus bank to the west of the channel. A deep draught boat should stick as close to the channel as possible and consult the Marina on the state of the dredge before beginning an approach.