Pawle Island is located on Strangford Lough’s western shore, to the East of Ringhaddy Sound and Islandmore, on the northeast coast of Ireland. It is a quiet and out of the way anchorage.

Tucked in between Islandmore and Pawle this is a very good anchorage. It offers excellent northerly and westerly protection but has marginal exposure to hard southerlies where it may become uncomfortable. The enclosed stretch of water provides shelter sailing in all weather, all tides and has ample marks to make daylight navigation straightforward.

Keyfacts for Pawle Island

Position and approaches

Haven position

54° 26.464' N, 005° 37.600' W

East of Eaglehill Point on the southeast side of Islandmore and Pawl Island, favouring the Islandmore side of the gap.

What is the initial fix?

Approximately 200 metres east of the Limestone Rock beacon Q.R.3M. It is on the 318° line of bearing off a converted windmill, situated 4 miles to the northwest, that leads to Ringhaddy Sound from here - as noted on the Admiralty chart.

What are the key points of the approach?

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How to get in?

Pawle Island is located on the western shore of Strangford Lough close south-west of Islandmore. Close to the resources of Ringhaddy Cruising Club, located in Ringhaddy Sound, a provides a remote sequestered anchorage in an area of outstanding beauty.

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.

After entering Strangford Lough proceed up the deep waters of the eastern side of the Lough to the Ringhaddy Initial fix. This is situated approximately 200 metres east of the Limestone Rock beacon Q.R.3M. This beacon marks the eastern point of Pladdy rock that covers after 4 hours of the flood tide and there are two additional perches marking the western and northern points.

From there track in on the 318° line of bearing off a conspicuous circular building that is a converted windmill, along with two white leading marks near the shore that lead into Ringhaddy Sound.

One mile in, the route closes to about 500 metres to pass between the unmarked Brownrock Pladdy and Brown Rock to the port or south side. Both cover at half tide where only seaweed may be visible. However, a small grass island close to the south called Black Rock is visible making the former rocks easy to position. On the starboard or north side are the Verde Rocks that are marked by a perch.

The route then continues in close south to the gap between Pawle Island and Eaglehill Point at the southern end of Islandmore.


Turn in and feel your way in relatively close to the shore where good mud holding will be found. Expect up to 2 knots of current on Springs.

Why visit here?

This is a very pleasant out-of-the-way anchorage where one can keep an eye on boats coming in and out of Ringhaddy Sound.



In the past, the island supported two farms and one of these old houses remains on the south-west point, with the remnants of a slipway cut through the rocks on the beach. A stroll to the top of the hill behind the house offers a spectacular panoramic view of the southern half of Strangford Lough.

The small 49 acres Pawle Island is privately owned by a farmer who would prefer no unauthorised use but is reportedly open to requests to land, and as the island is a very pleasant picnic location it is well worth seeking permission.

Pawle Island is an out-of-the-way and beautiful anchorage that offers very good protection, besides which all the resources of Ringhaddy Cruising Club are just a short run around Islandmore.

What facilities are available?

There are no facilities at Pawle Island. Visitors are welcome to use the amenities of water and power on the pontoons of Ringhaddy Cruising Club.

Any security concerns?

Never an issue known to have occurred at this remote anchorage.

With thanks to:

Brian Crawford, local Strangford Lough boatman of many decades.