
The marina offers complete protection behind high surrounding walls and a tide gate which can be fully raised in the event of strong onshore winds. Careful navigation is required for the final length of the approach, that although well marked, is tightly bounded by rocks and the entrance itself is very narrow. Access is also only available at the top end of the tide to clear a sill at the entrance.
Keyfacts for Copelands Marina
Facilities
Nature
Considerations
Protected sectors
Approaches
Shelter
Last modified
July 18th 2018 Summary* Restrictions apply
A completely protected location with careful navigation required for access.Facilities
Nature
Considerations
Position and approaches
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Haven position
At the entrance to the marina.
What is the initial fix?
The following Copelands Marina Initial Fix will set up a final approach:

What are the key points of the approach?
Offshore details are available in the northeast Ireland’s Coastal Overview for Malin Head to Strangford Lough
.
- From the south and east pass Mew and Copeland Islands well clear to starboard.
- From the north or Belfast Lough, with a favourable tide, pass between the south side of Copeland Island and the mainland coast in the well-marked fairway channel.
- Make certain that a berth is available and there is sufficient depth over the entrance sill before an approach is attempted.
- Find the marina and track in on its two leading transits marks in line 276° T made up of red triangles on poles with the front close to the entrance and the rear is higher up on the shore behind.
Not what you need?
Click the 'Next' and 'Previous' buttons to progress through neighbouring havens in a coastal 'clockwise' or 'anti-clockwise' sequence. Below are the ten nearest havens to Copelands Marina for your convenience.
Ten nearest havens by straight line charted distance and bearing:
- Donaghadee Harbour - 0.2 miles NNW
- Chapel Bay - 1.2 miles N
- Port Dandy - 1.4 miles NNW
- Groomsport - 2.3 miles NW
- Ballyholme Bay - 2.8 miles WNW
- Bangor Harbour & Marina - 3.2 miles WNW
- Ballywalter - 3.7 miles SSE
- Helen’s Bay - 4.6 miles WNW
- Kircubbin - 5.6 miles S
- Whitehead - 5.7 miles NW
These havens are ordered by straight line charted distance and bearing, and can be reordered by compass direction or coastal sequence:
- Donaghadee Harbour - 0.2 miles NNW
- Chapel Bay - 1.2 miles N
- Port Dandy - 1.4 miles NNW
- Groomsport - 2.3 miles NW
- Ballyholme Bay - 2.8 miles WNW
- Bangor Harbour & Marina - 3.2 miles WNW
- Ballywalter - 3.7 miles SSE
- Helen’s Bay - 4.6 miles WNW
- Kircubbin - 5.6 miles S
- Whitehead - 5.7 miles NW
Chart
How to get in?

Inside there are berths for up to 90 craft on pontoons piles. The marina normally sets aside six berths for visiting boats but it is a popular location so it is highly advisable to make berthing arrangements in advance. The Copelands Marina Manager, Gerald Nicholas, can be reached on P: +44 2891 992184 M: +44 7802 36 3382 VHF: 16, 11, 80.
As the marina's access path and entrance are very tight it is advisable to temporarily come into Donaghadee town harbour and stroll down to seek local knowledge and survey the marina approaches personally.
Careful pilotage is required for the approach and good offshore conditions, but it is very well marked. Marina access is HW +/- 3 hours depending upon draft. Expect about 1.1 metres of water over the sill at half-tide, making it advisable for moderate to deep vessels to seek advice on how to clear the sill from the Marina Manager on the day of approach.


Why visit here?
Set in the heart of the separately covered town of Donaghadee
However, the outer walls and back slopes were all made from the local dark ‘greywacke’ stone. This local stone was blasted from the seabed within the harbour area and from what was then called the ‘Quarry Hole’ at Meetinghouse Point. The original ‘Quarry Hole’ has today become the site of what is now Copeland Marina.
From a boating point of view, Copelands Marina is within a day's sail, and sometimes in sight of the Scottish coast and the Isle of Man. It is an ideal destination to enjoy the historic town of Donaghadee and the Ard’s Peninsula, and is completely protected behind the marina’s high sided walls and tidal gate should strong easterlies develop.
What facilities are available?
Marina berths have water, electricity, toilets, and showers; and a 20 tonnes capacity crane and some repair work are available locally. Donaghadee is very convenient as shops, pubs and restaurants which serve the local population in excess of six thousand, are easily reached within a small area local to the harbour. Donaghadee Sailing Club welcomes visitors and is open Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.The harbour is about 29 km (18 miles) from Belfast and about 13 km (8 miles) northeast of Newtownards. A bus service is available to Belfast that offers connections to any location in Ireland. Likewise flights to domestic and international destinations operate from Belfast City and Belfast International Airports. There are frequent ferry crossings from Belfast and Larne.
Any security concerns?
The marina is a secured area.With thanks to:
Charlie Kavanagh - ISA/RYA Yachtmaster Instructor/Examiner. Photography with thanks to Harvey Milligan and Albert bridge.Expand to new tab or fullscreen
The above plots are not precise and indicative only.


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