Dursey Island — Puxley Cove
Dursey Sound anchorage · Oileán Baoi
51°35.8'N 010°10.9'W
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
90m
Holding
Fair
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
90m
90m radius essential in this exposed cove with variable holding. Tidal range 3.5m springs means HW depths reach 6–11m — plan scope for 7:1 minimum at deepest expected depth. Fair holding in sandy patches but rock substrates are present — use a trip line and set the anchor carefully in reverse. This anchorage should only be used in settled conditions with Castletownbere (8nm) as an immediate escape plan. Do not anchor here with W through S in forecast.
About This Anchorage
Puxley Cove on Dursey Island is one of the most remote and atmospheric anchorages in Southwest Ireland — a wild and lonely spot at the very tip of the Beara Peninsula, accessible only by sea or by Ireland's only cable car (a basic steel cable car running from the mainland, capable of carrying cattle as well as people). The island is virtually uninhabited, with ancient field systems and the ruins of a 17th-century settlement. The anchorage is exposed and holding is only fair in patches of sand over rock, making this strictly a fair-weather stop. The reward is extraordinary solitude and some of Ireland's most dramatic coastal scenery — the cliffs plunge hundreds of metres into the Atlantic, and dolphins, whales and seabirds are commonly sighted from the island clifftops.
Protected From
N · NE · E · SE
Exposed To
SW · W · NW · S
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 8m (CD) with a 3.5m tide, actual HW depth is up to 12m — use 84m+ 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 90m radius. 90m radius essential in this exposed cove with variable holding. Tidal range 3.5m springs means HW depths reach 6–11m — plan scope for 7:1 minimum at deepest expected depth. Fair holding in sandy patches but rock substrates are present — use a trip line and set the anchor carefully in reverse. This anchorage should only be used in settled conditions with Castletownbere (8nm) as an immediate escape plan. Do not anchor here with W through S in forecast.
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Fair-weather anchorage only — depart immediately if wind or swell increases above F4. Dursey Sound tidal race — transit only at slack water (HW or LW Castletownbere ±30 minutes). No facilities on the island — carry all provisions. UK boats post-Brexit: declare at Castletownbere.
Hazards
- !Exposed anchorage — only suitable in settled conditions with no W, SW or S winds forecast; depart at first sign of deterioration
- !Dursey Sound tidal race: up to 4 knots at springs — transit only at slack water and do not attempt in poor visibility
- !Fair holding in sand over rock — set anchor carefully in reverse and use a trip line
- !Atlantic swell wraps around Dursey Head even in apparently calm conditions — check wave period forecast
- !Cable car operation is sporadic — do not rely on the cable car for emergency access or egress
Skipper's Tips
- →Cross Dursey Sound at slack water (HW or LW ±30 minutes) — the tidal stream is formidable and the sound is narrow
- →Ride the cable car for the experience — one of Ireland's most remarkable and eccentric pieces of infrastructure
- →Walk to the western clifftops for an Atlantic view that appears to extend to America — spectacular seabird colonies in summer
- →Carry a lunch hook rather than an overnight anchor setup — this anchorage is best used for a day stop en route west
- →Scan the sea for cetaceans from the clifftops — humpback and minke whales are regularly sighted off Dursey Head
Facilities
Nearest provisions: Castletownbere (8nm)
Best Months & Season
June, July, August, September
June–September only in settled conditions. This anchorage requires a specific weather window — check 48-hour forecast before committing. Best visited as a day stop with an overnight in Castletownbere.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 90m
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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