Mill Bay offers good shelter within the enclosed waterway of Larne Lough. However, being located in the southeast corner of the lough, it is somewhat exposed to a fetch that can develop across the large expanse of water to the northwest. Access is straightforward as Larne Lough may be approached day or night, at any stage of the tide and in all reasonable conditions. Outside of the harbour, navigation aids become scarce but the trek down to the anchorage is via a deep channel with no obstructions where it is simply a matter of passing along the shoreline to Mill Bay.
Keyfacts for Mill Bay
Facilities
Nature
Considerations
Protected sectors
Approaches
Shelter
Last modified
July 18th 2018 Summary* Restrictions apply
A good location with attentive navigation required for access.Facilities
Nature
Considerations
Position and approaches
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Haven position
This anchorage is within Larne Lough and off Islandmagee’s western shore. The position is immediately south of the small spit of headland extending south from Ballydowan upon the lough’s eastern shore.
What is the initial fix?
The following Larne Harbour 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
.
- Approach directions are available in Larne Harbour
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- Track down along the deep water channel that follows the western side of Islandmagee’s shoreline to Mill Bay.
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 Mill Bay for your convenience.
Ten nearest havens by straight line charted distance and bearing:
- Ballydowan - 0.3 miles NW
- Magheramorne Point - 0.4 miles WSW
- Larne Harbour - 0.9 miles NW
- Portmuck - 1 miles NNE
- Brown’s Bay - 1.2 miles NNW
- Ferris Bay - 1.3 miles NW
- Whitehead - 2.8 miles SSE
- Ballygalley Bay - 3.6 miles NW
- Carrickfergus Harbour & Marina - 4.4 miles SSW
- Greenisland - 5.3 miles SSW
These havens are ordered by straight line charted distance and bearing, and can be reordered by compass direction or coastal sequence:
- Ballydowan - 0.3 miles NW
- Magheramorne Point - 0.4 miles WSW
- Larne Harbour - 0.9 miles NW
- Portmuck - 1 miles NNE
- Brown’s Bay - 1.2 miles NNW
- Ferris Bay - 1.3 miles NW
- Whitehead - 2.8 miles SSE
- Ballygalley Bay - 3.6 miles NW
- Carrickfergus Harbour & Marina - 4.4 miles SSW
- Greenisland - 5.3 miles SSW
Chart
How to get in?

After entering the harbour continue south past Ballylumford Power Station and its pier, between the L-shaped ‘A’ wharf and No.7 buoy, and then along the western shore of Islandmagee. Here the eastern shore of the inner Lough is covered by a gravelly foreshore that dries up to 200 metres off. Outside of this there is a 200 metres wide channel that carries 6 metres of water for half a mile.
Close after the Larne Lough yellow buoy is passed to starboard it falls to 4 metres and then to about 2 metres abreast of Ballydowan where local boats will be seen moored.
Larne Lough - Buoy Yellow Fl.Y.5s position: 54° 49.901' N, 005° 46.481' W
Mill Bay is situated a ½ mile further along and 1.5 metres will be found all the way in the channel although it shallows in the final approach to the bay.
Why visit here?
Mill Bay is a small pier with a cluster of houses overlooking Larne Lough. It sits by the tiny Carnspindle Bay, within the townland of Carnspindle. Carnspindle derives its name from Irish Carn Spinnil, meaning "cairn of the sandbank".Mill Bay offers another secluded anchorage hidden away behind the gentle gradients of Islandmagee’s western shore deep within the Lough’s sheltered waters. Cruisers that anchor here have the added benefit of a cosy friendly family run country style pub. This offers an extensive bar snack menu featuring local produce. Reportedly, there is a mussel and oyster farm located in the vicinity of the harbour, where it is said produce may be purchased directly from the owner including crab and lobster.
What facilities are available?
There is a slip and a pier but little else. A friendly pub serves the small population that surrounds the harbour in a cluster of about 50 houses with a population of less that 100 people, but there are no shops. The small village of Mullaghboy one mile away, has basic provisions to serve its population of about 300 people, and a café that also serves good food. Almost everything else is available in nearby Larne harbour.Any security concerns?
Never a problem known to have occurred in Mill Bay.With thanks to:
Terence Stitt, Portmuck Harbour Master. Photography with thanks to Albert Bridge and Wilson Adams.Expand to new tab or fullscreen
The above plots are not precise and indicative only.




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