Copeland Marina is located on the northeast coast of Ireland, close outside the southern entrance to Belfast Lough and immediately south of Donaghadee Harbour. It is a small very tight marina that sets aside half a dozen visitor berths in the sailing season.

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.

Berths are scarce and it is best to confirm availability in advance. The marina should not be approached in strong winds or at night.

Keyfacts for Copelands Marina

Position and approaches

Haven position

54° 38.437' N, 005° 31.750' W

At the entrance to the marina.

What is the initial fix?

400 metres out from the entrance on the 276° preferred line of approach. Tracking in on this bearing should take you to where you may see the orange triangle leading marks in-line 276°.

What are the key points of the approach?

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How to get in?

Copelands Marina is a small marina enclosed in a former quarry cut into the rocky foreshore of Meetinghouse Point. At the entrance to the marina, there is a sill to clear and the entrance is also very narrow and rocky.

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.


Use Donaghadee Harbour's approach directions to the marina is located 400 metres south of the harbour with its conspicuous tower.

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.





From the initial fix the marina entrance will be visible about 400 metres away. The marina’s seawall has a large painted sign that indicates the position of the entrance. Stay outside the 10-metre contour, about 300 – 400 metres out, until the leading marks are positively identified. These are two conspicuous red triangles on poles with the front close to the entrance on the northern edge of the channel, and the rear which is higher up on the shore behind; marks in line 276° T.


Once identified track in steadily keeping the leading marks on transit. The latter inshore half of that distance will be between drying rocks, and the final stretch is particularly narrow. Keep the orange triangular marks in line in the entrance channel, and once the marina entrance and sill opens turn sharp to port. Then follow the concrete wall on the edge of the channel that leads into the marina.


The marina is enclosed inside a former quarry. The original high quarry walls provide the marina with significant protection. Berth on pontoon piles in accordance with the earlier arrangements.

Why visit here?

Set in the heart of the separately covered town of Donaghadee Copeland Marina takes its name from the island it faces.

The construction of the massive walls and lighthouse of Donaghadee Harbour required an enormous amount of rock. The harbour’s beautiful inner faces were made from limestone taken from the Moelfre quarries of Angelsey, in north Wales, and it is this 'Anglesea marble' with the finest ashlar dressing that has made the handsome piers a lasting triumph.

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.

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