Holyhead Marina and Fishguard

[webcraft]

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Still looking at ports of refuge down the East side of the Irish Sea, as it seems Ireland is officially closed to visiting yachts until at least August 10th.

Are there any facilities for visting yachts at Holyhead at the moment? Their website is very vague. If not, any recommended passage anchorages in the vicinity without having to go into the Menai Straits? (We would be coming from Ardglass, heading for the Scillies)

And what is Fishguard like as a refuge or place to rest up?

If leaving Fishguard heading for Milford, how easy is the passage inside the Smalls?


- W

 

[Skylark]

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Still looking at ports of refuge down the East side of the Irish Sea, as it seems Ireland is officially closed to visiting yachts until at least August 10th.

Are there any facilities for visting yachts at Holyhead at the moment? Their website is very vague. If not, any recommended passage anchorages in the vicinity without having to go into the Menai Straits? (We would be coming from Ardglass, heading for the Scillies)

And what is Fishguard like as a refuge or place to rest up?

If leaving Fishguard heading for Milford, how easy is the passage inside the Smalls?


- W

Plenty of options available but you’ll need to play with the tides.

With regard to Covid, it would be wise to call all ports ahead to check their latest position.

Holyhead is the only all states. The marina and the sailing club are separate entities I believe that the marina has a short term, rickety visitor pontoon. Call Geoff and ask.

The sailing club has visitors mooring and a launch service but phone ahead to check.

On the north shore you could try Amlwch, near Point Lynas.

If you round Anglesey to the north and east you’ll have the option of River Conwy or entering the Menai at Puffin. River access is something like +-3 but would be hard to push again a mid flow ebb.

Passage through Menai is tidal, buoyed but straightforward as far as Menai Bridge. You need to transit the Swellies at slack water. Then on to either Port Dinorwic, locked marina, or Caernarfon, cill, marina. Entering Menai from the south, over Caernarfon Bar is something like +-3 but you’ll need an up to date Pilotage Plan for the buoys from Caernarfon Harbour Trust website.

Another option could be Porth Dinllaen,on the Lyn Peninsular, either pick up a buoy or anchor. Safe in all except northerly.

Bardsey anchorage could be another option but the Sound is a tidal race and needs planning and caution.

From memory, Fishguard is straightforward access. The last time I anchored there was in a trip from Milford Haven, Dale, through Jack and Ramsey sounds. All straightforward but tide timing is essential.

The crossing from Bardsey to Fishguard includes a Firing Range.

Details for any of the above can be found in an Almanac or local Pilot book.

Shout if you need specific help and I’ll be happy to look.

 

[Graham376]

When Holyhead sailing club visitor moorings were full, we just used to anchor outside the moorings. If weather kicking up, Menai is a good alternative, Friars Bay is a good spot depending on wind direction. Slack water at Swellies is best for first timers but, it's well before HW and we've done it (quickly) 3 hours after slack. Past the Swellies, options of Port Denorwic or Victoria Dock. From north end of Straits, Swellies and the Bar can be done on one tide rather than going around the outside.

 

[TSB240]

Best stop over anchorages on south side of Angelsey are Both Wen (Rhoscolyn) or Pilots Cove at Llandwyn Island both give shelter from a northerly. North side Amlwch is the pits . Porth Wen (old brick works) or Cemaes give shelter from southerlies. Ultimate and closest mooring to Ireland is in the Skerries lighthouse Lagoon but entry is not for the feint hearted. Fair weather only!

 

[TSB240]

From Ardglass Porth Dinllaen would be possible. It is used by most local boats as a jumping off point for Southern Ireland , Devon and the Scillies.
The Ty Coch pub is currently shut!

If in doubt about any of the moorings just use the big one off the LB station. The old coxswain was very happy for visitors to use it especially if arriving tired or in the dark.

 

[webcraft]

From Ardglass Porth Dinllaen would be possible. It is used by most local boats as a jumping off point for Southern Ireland , Devon and the Scillies.
The Ty Coch pub is currently shut!

If in doubt about any of the moorings just use the big one off the LB station. The old coxswain was very happy for visitors to use it especially if arriving tired or in the dark.

Not keen on using unknown moorings. What is the anchoring like? Too deep outside the moorings?

Don't suppose anyone has an old pilot book for the area that they no longer need?

- W

 

[geem]

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Still looking at ports of refuge down the East side of the Irish Sea, as it seems Ireland is officially closed to visiting yachts until at least August 10th.

Are there any facilities for visting yachts at Holyhead at the moment? Their website is very vague. If not, any recommended passage anchorages in the vicinity without having to go into the Menai Straits? (We would be coming from Ardglass, heading for the Scillies)

And what is Fishguard like as a refuge or place to rest up?

If leaving Fishguard heading for Milford, how easy is the passage inside the Smalls?


- W

The club moorings at Holyhead are only about 1/4 full. Lots of space. Just pick one up and they do a launch service to take you to and from the shore. The marina are charging £3.50 per metre for a rickety concrete pontoon. From there, take the tide South to clear Bardsey , next stop Fishguard

 

[TSB240]

Not keen on using unknown moorings. What is the anchoring like? Too deep outside the moorings?

Don't suppose anyone has an old pilot book for the area that they no longer need?

- W

Good holding outside moorings mud and sand. Lots of old chain down amongst moorimgs so keep outside if anchoring.

 

[Beneteau381]

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Still looking at ports of refuge down the East side of the Irish Sea, as it seems Ireland is officially closed to visiting yachts until at least August 10th.

Are there any facilities for visting yachts at Holyhead at the moment? Their website is very vague. If not, any recommended passage anchorages in the vicinity without having to go into the Menai Straits? (We would be coming from Ardglass, heading for the Scillies)

And what is Fishguard like as a refuge or place to rest up?

If leaving Fishguard heading for Milford, how easy is the passage inside the Smalls?


- W

As others have said, HH ok, pick up a mooring after talking to the club. Fishguard is OK, we used to anchor near to the drying bit at old Fishguard. We used to arrive at Ramsey Sound about 1.5 hr before hi tide and punch through so that we got a good lift across the bay to Jack Sound, to arrive at slack lo. This only works if you dont have a strong wind over tide. I have SC5621 Ireland East Coast 2nd edition Admiralty Leisure Folio which I used to use. It has Wales, Anglesey, Lleyn Peninsula and one of St Brides Bay in it. £10 plus postage?

 

[webcraft]

As others have said, HH ok, pick up a mooring after talking to the club. Fishguard is OK, we used to anchor near to the drying bit at old Fishguard. We used to arrive at Ramsey Sound about 1.5 hr before hi tide and punch through so that we got a good lift across the bay to Jack Sound, to arrive at slack lo. This only works if you dont have a strong wind over tide. I have SC5621 Ireland East Coast 2nd edition Admiralty Leisure Folio which I used to use. It has Wales, Anglesey, Lleyn Peninsula and one of St Brides Bay in it. £10 plus postage?

Thanks for this. I have admiralty charts (ancient, but the coast will be in the same place) plus Memory Map, so should be OK

- W

 

[Beneteau381]

Thanks for this. I have admiralty charts (ancient, but the coast will be in the same place) plus Memory Map, so should be OK

- W

IIRC Leave HH just before high tide, this deals with the tidal gate there, then you get the lift to Bardsey where you hit at low water slack, go through and then head for Fishguard. We left HH in July at daybreak and got to Fishguard just as it was going dark, no tidal gate there! It was a long hard day and involved a lot of motoring.

 

[MoodySabre]

We got to Fishguard a bit early on the tide and the HM told us to pick up a buoy in the outer harbour. Later we moved to dry out against the inside of the stone jetty in Old Fishguard. Going the Milford we went round the outside of Ramsey and Skomer.

 

[Beneteau381]

We got to Fishguard a bit early on the tide and the HM told us to pick up a buoy in the outer harbour. Later we moved to dry out against the inside of the stone jetty in Old Fishguard. Going the Milford we went round the outside of Ramsey and Skomer.

The issue with that is getting that tide really right. When we came from Milford to HH one night we left the Haven and headed to go outside the opposite way that you describe. We caught it good, most of the night, 13kts over the ground to the lighthouse. The tidal gates at Ramsay and Jack are short and sharp, the outside you could do negative for a long time!

 

[vyv_cox]

IIRC Leave HH just before high tide, this deals with the tidal gate there, then you get the lift to Bardsey where you hit at low water slack, go through and then head for Fishguard. We left HH in July at daybreak and got to Fishguard just as it was going dark, no tidal gate there! It was a long hard day and involved a lot of motoring.

As I wrote in the previous thread, check the range at Aberporth. I have sailed this route many times. We would try to keep to the east from Bardsey south to reduce the effects of the flood but the range can severely affect this option. Last time we went north from Fishguard we were forced well out by the range and were in strong ebb, consequently late at Bardsey against a fresh NW wind. QinetiQ

 

[TSB240]

Not keen on using unknown moorings. What is the anchoring like? Too deep outside the moorings?

Don't suppose anyone has an old pilot book for the area that they no longer need?

- W

Update as I have just got back from there!

Most important the second best beach bar in the world is open! It opened just after I arrived yesterday.

There were plenty of moorings that were unused. I checked the riser on the one I borrowed for the day and it had a good heavy chain and two brand new strops and a pick up buoy.

Outside the moorings there is 2,5 to 3m at lw. The range yesterday was 4.25 m which was a spring tide. We picked up a mooring on the inner trot nearest to Ty Coch and just touched bottom at low water this morning. Shallow draft wing keel 1.01m.

 

[webcraft]

Update as I have just got back from there!

Most important the second best beach bar in the world is open! It opened just after I arrived yesterday.

There were plenty of moorings that were unused. I checked the riser on the one I borrowed for the day and it had a good heavy chain and two brand new strops and a pick up buoy.

Outside the moorings there is 2,5 to 3m at lw. The range yesterday was 4.25 m which was a spring tide. We picked up a mooring on the inner trot nearest to Ty Coch and just touched bottom at low water this morning. Shallow draft wing keel 1.01m.

Thanks for that. Looks like Ireland will not be welcoming 'foreign' vessels until at least 10th August, so Wales here we come.

- W

 

[Telstar26]

I'll look out for you Ane there's a possibility of some northerlies next week!

 

[webcraft]

Well, boat problems meant we were stuck in Ardglass for longer than expected, so we went non-stop to the Scillies. Sorry Wales, another time... thanks to all who contributed to this thread, hopefully others will find it useful.

- W