Castletownbere
Castletown Berehaven · Berehaven · Castletown Harbour
51°39.0'N 009°54.7'W
Depth
5–12m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
110m
Holding
Excellent
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
110m
110m radius in the main anchorage — the deep water (5–12m CD) and 3.6m tidal range mean actual depths reach 8–15m at HW springs. Always use 7:1 scope minimum. The harbour is completely enclosed and no swell penetrates — in any conditions the anchorage is comfortable. The main hazard is commercial traffic: large trawlers and refrigerated fish carriers operate 24/7. Keep well clear of the fairway and pier approaches, particularly at night. Reduce to 90m in the inner Dinish Island anchorage.
About This Anchorage
Castletownbere (Castletown Berehaven) is the primary all-weather harbour for Southwest Ireland — a deep, completely enclosed anchorage in the Beara Peninsula that provides protection in any direction and in the most severe Atlantic storms. This is Ireland's most important whitefish port, and the harbour bustles with large trawlers, fish carriers, and service vessels around the clock. The town has excellent provisions, fuel, and all services a passage-making yacht requires. The anchorage in deep mud is among the finest in Ireland — the holding is outstanding and the shelter is absolute. Dursey Island and the spectacular Dursey Cable Car are 8nm west. Castletownbere should be on every SW Ireland sailor's itinerary as both a destination and a refuge plan.
Protected From
N · NE · E · SE · S · SW · W · NW
Exposed To
None (fully sheltered)
Setting Your Anchor
- 1.Check the Atlantic swell forecast before arrival — verify wave height and wave period on Windy.com. A period above 10 seconds indicates significant ocean swell that may affect even apparently sheltered anchorages.
- 2.Deploy 7:1 scope minimum for the 3–4m tidal range. At 12m (CD) with a 3.5m tide, actual HW depth is up to 16m — use 112m+ of rode. Set firmly in reverse and allow several minutes to confirm the anchor is dug in before turning in.
- 3.Castletownbere is your escape plan if weather turns — know the bearing and distance before anchoring, and be prepared to depart in the dark if needed. At the first sign of deteriorating conditions, move.
- 4.Set your anchor alarm to 110m radius. 110m radius in the main anchorage — the deep water (5–12m CD) and 3.6m tidal range mean actual depths reach 8–15m at HW springs. Always use 7:1 scope minimum. The harbour is completely enclosed and no swell penetrates — in any conditions the anchorage is comfortable. The main hazard is commercial traffic: large trawlers and refrigerated fish carriers operate 24/7. Keep well clear of the fairway and pier approaches, particularly at night. Reduce to 90m in the inner Dinish Island anchorage.
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free to anchor. Visitor moorings: contact Harbour Master VHF Ch 16. Marina facilities at Lawrence Cove Marina (Bere Island, 3nm).
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Commercial fishing vessels and fish carriers have priority throughout the harbour — keep well clear of the main fairway at all times, especially at night. Bere Island car ferry crosses the harbour regularly. Do not obstruct the Dinish Island fish processing pier. UK boats post-Brexit: notify Irish Revenue Customs on arrival.
Hazards
- !Large commercial trawlers and fish carriers operate 24 hours a day — always give way, keep clear of the fairway, and watch for vessels departing the pier at night
- !Bere Island car ferry crosses the harbour regularly — monitor VHF Ch 16 for ferry movements
- !Deep water (5–12m CD) requires careful scope calculation — 7:1 minimum at HW springs means 56–84m+ of rode
- !Tidal range 3.6m springs — chart depths are to LAT; add current tidal height for actual depth
- !Beara Peninsula approach from the west: overfalls and tidal races at Dursey Head (up to 3 knots at springs)
Skipper's Tips
- →Castletownbere is the ultimate SW Ireland storm refuge — if weather turns, get here and stay; the shelter is absolute
- →Lawrence Cove Marina on Bere Island (3nm across the harbour) offers the best marina facilities in the region
- →MacCarthy's Bar in the town square is famous for its grocery-post office-pub combination — uniquely Irish
- →Fuel is available at the town pier — arrange with the harbour master by VHF Ch 16
- →The Beara Way walking trail starts from the town — the coastal scenery from the peninsula is exceptional
Facilities
Several pubs and restaurants in the town. MacCarthy's Bar is a Castletownbere institution. Good range for a fishing port.
Nearest provisions: Castletownbere town (0nm)
Best Months & Season
April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Accessible year-round as an all-weather refuge. The best cruising season for the area is May–September. The harbour operates 24/7 as a working fishing port regardless of season.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 110m
In Southwest Ireland's 3–4m tidal range, boats swing significantly through the tide cycle. Atlantic swell can arrive overnight even in forecast calm. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously so you always know if your anchor is dragging.
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