Mill Bay is a small village, on the eastern shore of Larne Lough, which is situated on the northeast coast of Ireland. Located about two miles within the lough it provides a secluded anchorage where a boat may anchor off a drying pier.

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

Position and approaches

Haven position

54° 49.438' N, 005° 45.160' W

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?

Half a mile north of the harbour and approximately midway between Larne No. 1 and No. 2 Light buoys. This is set upon the leading lights alignment of 184.3° T that leads through the centre of the entrance channel.

What are the key points of the approach?

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How to get in?

Mill Bay is a small drying pier with a cluster of houses in Lough Larne. It is situated off the western shore of Islandmagee about two miles to the southeast of Larne Harbour.

Use the directions for Larne Harbour for approaches.

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.


The pier at Mill Bay dries out entirely beyond the head of the pier at low water springs. Boats drawing up to two metres should keep at least 300 metres away from the pier. Boats drawing 1.5m or less may come in as close as about 100 metres off the end of the pier. There is good holding in both locations and very little tidal flow. A landing can be made at a slip on the north side of the bay or at the pier itself.

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.