Audley’s Point is located on the northeast coast of Ireland, on the western shore at the head of Strangford Lough’s ‘Narrows’, which leads into the magnificent sailing area and marine nature reserve that is Strangford Lough. It is a lunch-stop anchorage whilst maintaining an anchor watch, in a location that is a favourite for local boats to observe club races.

Audley’s Point is a stay-aboard anchorage due to the uncertain rocky holding in an area that has currents running up to 3.5 knots, although the closer a boat tucks in, the currents will be less. However unlike Audley’s Roads situated immediately south around the headland, Audley's Point is very well protected from southerly winds due to the forested headland. Tucked close under the tree line for cover one can have a very pleasant afternoon anchorage in strong southerly conditions. The anchorage is however exposed to winds from every other quadrant. Access requires attentive navigation as although there are no off-lying dangers, the location is on the edge of the fast-running ‘Narrows’ tidal channel.

Keyfacts for Audley’s Point

Position and approaches

Haven position

54° 23.037' N, 005° 34.737' W

Upon the 2.7 metre contour within 100 metres of the shore.

What is the initial fix?

The middle of the north end of the ‘Narrows’ where the upper Lough opens out. It is west of Ballyhenry Bay and directly north of the highest ground of Audley’s headland. A bearing of 235° for quarter of a mile leads into the anchorage.

What are the key points of the approach?

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How to get in?

Details of the approaches, tidal timings and the run up the Narrows to about a ½ below Strangford are covered in the Entering and exiting the Strangford Narrows route description.

Track in from the initial fix on a bearing of 235° for a quarter of a mile paying careful attention to steerage when passing from the main tidal streams of 3.5 knots of the fairway into the comparative slacker waters of the inner bay.

Anchor in a depth to your preference as close in as possible. The closer into the forested headland the more the protection and likewise the tide run reduces inshore.

The area is subject to kelp covered rocks that may challenge a CQR making for uncertain holding. Hence an anchor watch is advisable and the vessel should not be left unattended unless the security of the holding has been absolutely assured.

Why visit here?

Audley’s Point is a very beautiful quiet anchorage in a place where Strangford begins to open out into the more gentle waters of the Upper Lough.

Though a lunch spot where a boat cannot be left unattended owing to the difficult rock holding, it is a nice place to shelter from southerlies beneath a forested headland. This is a good alternative to Audley Roads on the opposite side of the headland that is exposed to this quadrant.

It is also the last ‘Narrows’ anchorage and on the doorstep of an island-studded sea lough that offers the boatman the chance to discover some of the country’s finest scenery.

What facilities are available?

Audley’s Point is a stay-aboard anchorage with nowhere to land and no local facilities.

Any security concerns?

Never a problem known to have occurred at Audley’s Point. A vessel anchored here is most likely to be alone.

With thanks to:

Brian Crawford, local Strangford Lough boatman of many decades.