Portrush to Strangford
Coastal Skipper · North Channel and County Down
A long coastal passage through two serious tidal gates: Rathlin Sound and the Strangford Narrows.
Training data only — not for navigation. Use official charts, tide tables and almanacs.
Distance
85.2 nm
Time @ 5 kn
17h 02m
ETA
—
Waypoints and legs
| # | Name | Lat | Lon | Leg | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | start | ||||
| 2 | 15.7 nm · 081°T | ||||
| 3 | 6.1 nm · 116°T | ||||
| 4 | 19.0 nm · 148°T | ||||
| 5 | 18.7 nm · 156°T | ||||
| 6 | 15.2 nm · 165°T | ||||
| 7 | 5.7 nm · 198°T | ||||
| 8 | 4.7 nm · 321°T |
Tidal gates & timing
- Rathlin Sound at slack or fair stream.
- Strangford Narrows: enter on the young flood; the ebb against an onshore wind is dangerous.
Hazards
- Overfalls in Rathlin Sound and off Torr Head
- Strangford bar and Routen Wheel whirlpools
- Shallow Donaghadee Sound with strong streams
Pilotage
- Strangford: follow the leading lines, keep to the channel past Angus Rock
Ports of refuge
- Ballycastle
- Glenarm
- Bangor
- Portavogie
Suggested departure
- Split over two days or plan the full-day passage around both gates
Harbour guides (VisitMyHarbour)
Each guide covers the approach, chart, berthing, facilities and tides for that harbour.
- Portrush ↗ — Departure harbour on the north coast.
- Rathlin Sound ↗ — First tidal gate: streams and overfalls.
- Ballycastle (refuge) ↗ — Bolt-hole inside the Sound.
- Glenarm (refuge) ↗ — Antrim coast refuge.
- Bangor (refuge) ↗ — Large marina on Belfast Lough before the Ards Peninsula.
- Donaghadee ↗ — Copeland Islands passage notes and small harbour.
- Portavogie (refuge) ↗ — Fishing harbour on the Ards east coast.
- Strangford Narrows approach ↗ — The critical gate: narrows streams, ferry and timing.
- Strangford Lough anchorages ↗ — Anchorages and moorings inside the lough.
Checklist
- Forecast and outlook checked
- Crew briefed, watch plan set
- Boat, engine, fuel and water checked
- Safety kit and VHF/DSC tested
- Passage plan left ashore