Cork
At a Glance
Contacts:
Port
Operations..................... VHF12 tel no +353 (0) 21 481
1380
Cork City
Marina................................... tel no +353 (0) 21 427
3125
Royal Cork Yacht
Club............VHF M tel no +353 (0) 21 483 1023
Crosshaven
Boatyard Marina..VHF M tel no +353 (0) 21 483 1161
Salve
Marina........................................tel no +353 (0) 21
483 1145
East Ferry
Marina................................tel no +353 (0) 21 481
3390
Cork Harbour
Marina.......................tel no +353 (0) 21 484 1031 or (0)
873669009 (mob)
Cove Sailing Club............................tel no +353 (0)
873334038 (mob)
The area of sheltered water known as "Cork Harbour" is very much like Milford Haven across the St Georges Channel in SW Wales in that it has a moderately wide entrance with shallow water in the middle of the entrance and which then opens out into an expanse of water which houses oil, gas and container terminals as well as general cargo docks. On top of this there are five marinas and a sixth being developed along with possibilities for anchoring.
The shores vary from being wooded and idyllic to industrial and
'orrid. It is extremely popular as a venue for yachties both local
and visiting. For a summer's cruise from UK one has the choice of
either going to Kilmore, pottering along to Cork before returning
to UK or vice versa; it depends very much on time, weather and
crew; it's about a day and a half from Padstow/Scillies at four
kts.
Most yachtsmen make for the facilities in Crosshaven as it is the
closest to the entrance and has three marinas and a pier/pontoon
but this is very busy in the summer; others will prefer to book
ahead and wander up to the East Ferry Marina in the East Passage
surrounded by woodlands whilst yet others might prefer to work
their way up through the West Passage past Cobh (pronounced "Cove")
to Cork City itself where there is now a pontoon with limited room
in the middle of the city just below the Michael Connolly
bridge.
Cobh Sailing Club opposite Haulbowline Island is developing its
pontoon landings to accomodate a few visitors but it has yet to
develop the infrastructure to go with it.
Cork Harbour Marina is a new marina under development in Monkstown
Bay opposite the Cork Dockyard. At the moment it has 90 berths with
berths reserved for 8 visitors and has planning and, more
importantly, the finance for a further 200 berths. They have not
yet built their main facilities block but have access to toilets
and showers at a local sailing club. This will be welcome addition
to the facilities in Cork Harbour as the present ones are
oversubscribed. The main facilities block is still promised but
there's problem with planning etc (Typical of town planners
- "attract the visitors by allowing the building of pontoons in the
water - but don't you dare interfer with the land!)
The main yacht club is the Royal Cork in Crosshaven, but scattered around the shores are various small boat clubs, sailing schools and rowing clubs, (though the rowing clubs are in the upper reaches beyond Blackwater Point) the result of which is that in just about anywhere you could drop your pick someone has sunk a permanent mooring.
The popular anchorages up the Owenboy River beyond Crosshaven are pretty well full of moorings but normally you can find room up the East Passage beyond the East Passage Marina (beware of the current through here). It's a case of matching your requirements with what is available and at what cost; you should reckon on between 20 and 28 Euros a night for a 10 meter boat wherever you tie up apart, that is, if you anchor up the East Passage where it is free. The problem with anchoring will be finding somewhere to come ashore in your dinghy because it dries to mud in a lot of places and, of course, you could be miles away from anywhere in terms of pubs and shops.
Having said all that, with a bit of exploration, whatever your
fancy, you should be able to find something to suit you here and of
course the advantage is that you can mix and match!
Cork
Approach
The approach is straightforward and the white light house on Roche's Point is visible for miles;
..... there is shallowish water (not a problem for the average
yacht) in the middle of the entrance which gives rise to two
possible passages into the harbour for large vessels. Both passages
have their own port and starboard marks and they join together
beyond the NCM positioned to cover the shallows from the
North.
From there on in the passage is marked in the standard way taking
one to the East of the two main islands in the centre of the
"lower" harbour. To get into Crosshaven on the Owenboy River you
branch off the main channel at Rams Head picking up the port and
starboard marks to the NW of the Head. At this stage is it worth
noting that there are a plethora of PHM and SHM with time
signatures varying from 2.5 sec to 10 sec, all of which will be
visible at some stage of a night approach so it looks a bit like a
Christmas tree and if you are not familiar with this entrance, or
are not in recent practice at night sailing this is not the place
to chose for a first try at night; best aim for a daylight
entry.
The Crosshaven marinas are clearly marked on AC 1777-0 and our O/H
Google shot; it is up to you which one you contact and where you
choose to clew up. It would be wise to contact the marinas
concerned before setting out.
If you don't want to join the boats at the marinas in Crosshaven
you could always anchor in White Bay or Grab-all Bay, there are no
services ashore but in winds from the right direction they would be
somewhere to anchor if you feel like a rest before taking on the
harbour.
Further in you can veer off to starboard abeam Spike Island at the
Tug Moorings to the NNE of the Whitegate Terminal and make for the
East passage; there are moorings for shallow draft boats at Aghada
pier on the South side opposite the East Passage and you would be
able to anchor here. Otherwise continue on North into the East
Passage and tie up at the marina (if room) or continue past there
to anchor clear of the moorings (consider a tripping line)
At the moment, if you by pass Crosshaven and the East Passage, you
are bound either for the new marina at Monkstown or for Cork City's
Marina pontoon up the West Passage.
The West passage is very tidal and it would be a waste of time to
attempt to get up to Cork against the ebb and it should be noted
that the channel across Lough Mahon is fairly narrow so it would be
disastrous to stray too far out of it, best do it on a flood when
it'll take just over an hour from the Cobh Dockyard.
Port of cork Guidance notes for Leisure
Craft
Euro GMT
Waypoint
Charts
Rules & Regs
Hazards
Tides
Berthing
As has been said, space is at a premium here and it would be wise....... to contact your chosen marina before setting out to ascertain whether space is available.
CROSSHAVEN:
There are three marinas; the Royal Cork Yacht Club, the Salve
marina, and the Crosshaven Boatyard. As well as those you can come
alongside at the town Pier for a limited time to take on supplies
if there is room. 
Crosshaven Boatyard Marina is charging 23 Euros per night for a 10m boat in 2019; showers included in that, but shore power on prepaid cards.
http://www.crosshavenboatyard.com
Salve Marina claims to have only fully equipped Marine
Engineering shop on this coast. It takes visitors and charged 2.95
Euros per metre per night in 2021 but shore power and showers were
included in that. They need advanced bookings as they were "fully
booked" when we contacted them
Royal Cork Yacht Club The club welcomes visitors
(membership of a yacht club is preferable but not exclusive).
In 2019 t hey are charging 32 Euros for a 30
ft boat and 37 Euros for 31 to 35 ft boat which included shore
power and showers. They have diesel on tap and, of course, a club
bar and restaurant.
Some of the moorings up river from the Royal Cork belong to members
of that club; you may be able to arrange to use one of those.
http://www.royalcork.com/visitors/
The anchorage at Drake's Pool is a bit busier than it was when
Drake hid here; in fact it will be almost impossible to find some
where to put down your anchor.
.
East Passage:
There is one marina here with limited capacity along with
moorings and room to anchor.
Cobh (Whitepoint) Marina:
This marina which first came to light back in 2014 and was the
great hope of the Cove Sailing Club. Those dreams have come to
fruition and they now have a new marina with a wave break to reduce
the swell from passing ships. It has been a long time in coming but
the volunteers from the Sailing Club are to be congratulated on the
results of their endeavours.
They look forward to seeing visitors and their facilities can be found in the Marina section of their website above. In 2022 they are charging 25 Euros per night up to 30ft and over 31 ft 30 Euros
Cork Harbour Marina:
This is still under construction with the initial phases complete
with 82 berths available. The shore side amenities are not yet
built and are not expected for the summer of 2014. They are
charging 25 Euros per night up to 10m and 2.50 Euros per metre on
top of that. This includes shore power
Update 2022 They are still awaiting the permissions
for shore side buildings here but the local Marina Manager has
found ways to circumvent this problem. He can get Gas or Camping
gas delivered almost immediately, he can get diesel in 5 gallon
drums, showers and toilets are available in the Sailing Club and he
would run you out to the local supermarket and, finally, there are
buses to the City centre. Boatyard Services would have to be
sourced elsewhere in Cork.http://www.corkharbourmarina.com/
Cork City Marina:
This marina changed ownership in February of 2021 and is now
owned by an American Company called Tower Holdings Group. There is
a derth of information on the facilities available and what plans
are intended for its development. It is in the heart of the city of
Cork alongside the Customs Quay and you may have to raft alongside
another boat . The website below was posted in 2010 and all the telephone numbers and much of the information is
historical . In 2013 they were charging 10 Euros per night
for up to 12m (5 Euros per night for shore power), but that was
just for 3 nights, after 3 nights the price trebled as they want to
discourage visitors from settling in for the summer!! They do not
have showers ashore but have an arrangement with a nearby hotel for
crews to use the showers (They will charge)
http://www.portofcork.ie/contentfiles/Cork%20City%20Marina%20Operating%20Rules_2.pdf
Marinas and Mooring
Port of Cork & Cork City Marina
Custom House Street
Cork
Cork Harbour Marina
The Strand Road,
Monkstown,
Co Cork
Facilities
All marinas have water and power on all pontoons and, with the
exception of the new Cork Harbour Marina at Monkstown, have showers
and toilets ashore. Crosshaven does not have a filling station but
has diesel available. Arrangements can be made for petrol for
outboards. There is a hardware store (Powers) in Crosshaven which
does Calor gas and Camping Gaz refills.
At Monkstown they have access to toilets and showers at the local
sailing club but the nearest fuel is at Passage West (again they
will help out with this).
Provisions are readily available at Crosshaven but elsewhere will
involve a bit of a walk. East Ferry is a good 3.5 to 4miles away
from Cobh and has no bus service.
There is a coffee shop at Monkstown and a limited bus service to
Passage West which is where the nearest shops of any size
are.
If you need marine services they will be available somewhere in
Cork Harbour but the main concentration of these is at
Crosshaven.
Boatyards & Boatyard Services
Chandlers
Union Chandlery
5 Penrose Quay
Montenotte
Cork
Co Cork
T23 PCX7
What to Do
Depends on where you are; everything at Crosshaven but as you retreat from the major yachting centres the facilities become reduced. Cork City itself has plenty of everything.
Yacht Clubs and Associations
Royal Cork Yacht Club
Lower Road
Crosshaven
Co Cork
P43 HD40
History
Local Business
Marine-Electrics
Potterton Electrical
Quarryland House
Quarryland
Dunboyne
Co Meath
A86 XH28
Outboard-Sales-and-Service
Cork Marine
Ballycureen Industrial Estate
Kinsale Road
Cork
Co Cork
T12 F1WF
Marine Motors Cork Ltd
The Marine Centre
Passage West
Pembroke
Cork
Co Cork
Rigging-and-Riggers
Masts and Rigging Ireland Ltd
The Boatyard
Crosshaven
Cork
Co Cork
P43 Y023
Sailmakers-Repair-and-Covers
O'Mahony Sailmaking
Barracks Lane
Kinsale
Co Cork
P17 VF97
Uncategorised
Union Chandlery
5 Penrose Quay
Montenotte
Cork
Co Cork
T23 PCX7
Cork Marine
Ballycureen Industrial Estate
Kinsale Road
Cork
Co Cork
T12 F1WF
Marine Motors Cork Ltd
The Marine Centre
Passage West
Pembroke
Cork
Co Cork
O'Mahony Sailmaking
Barracks Lane
Kinsale
Co Cork
P17 VF97
Port of Cork & Cork City Marina
Custom House Street
Cork
Royal Cork Yacht Club
Lower Road
Crosshaven
Co Cork
P43 HD40
Cork Harbour Marina
The Strand Road,
Monkstown,
Co Cork
Potterton Electrical
Quarryland House
Quarryland
Dunboyne
Co Meath
A86 XH28
Masts and Rigging Ireland Ltd
The Boatyard
Crosshaven
Cork
Co Cork
P43 Y023
Tide Information for cork
Tidal Information