eOceanic

Ballyhalbert Bay

Tides and tools

Tidal data as of Monday, October 7th at 02:00 local time. Refresh to current time

Low Water	High Water
01:00 (0m)	01:00 (0m)
13:25 (0m)	13:25 (0m)

Now approaching Neaps

Tidal conditions now

Now Falling
Time to low	22:49
Total fall	0m

Rule of Twelfths estimates

Remaining fall
Tide height over CD

See using the 'Rule of Twelfths'

Mean Spring Curve

Mean Neap Curve

Intervening Period

Please use tidal harmonic predictions with a sensible margin of safety. The effect of air pressure on tidal height can be substantial. Tide tables assume a standard pressure of 1013 hectoPascal (hPa). One hPa, or millibar, variation from that will change the sea level by one centimetre. Mean sea levels may also be raised or lowered by strong winds depending upon the topographical features of the area.

Tidal Hour:

(Manual calculation)
(Dover)

Small tidal stream inaccuracies can develop when advancing beyond HW Dover +6. Because of this we only enable today's tidal stream chartlets to advance 24 hours. Future tidal planning is best accomplished by using Ballyhalbert Bay's future tides predictor below.

The above image represents the current tidal streams offshore of this haven. Streams attaining three knots and above are highlighted by red arrows

. All times are in local time with red text indicating springs, blue indicating neaps and gray between tidal events. Click [+] to advance the estimate by an hour and click [-] to step back. Future tidal planning is best accomplished by using Ballyhalbert Bay's future tides predictor below.

Do you need more information on the tidal graphics?

Arrows represent the direction of tidal streams with lighter or shorter arrows indicating weaker streams. Stronger streams are indicated by heavier or longer arrows, and as mentioned above, red arrows flagging rates of 3 knots and above. Numerals represent [mean neap, mean spring] rates in tenths of a knot. For example the numbers 12,23 would indicate a mean neap of 1.2 knots and a mean spring of 2.3 knots.

More local tidal details

Today's Portavogie tides — High water: , Low water:
Today's Dover tides — High waters: 01:43, 13:57, Low waters: 09:10, 21:26
We are now approaching the next tidal event that will be Neaps.
High Water: as Dover, Belfast +15 minutes Get Dover
MHWS 4.7m MHWN 0.6m MLWN 3.9m MLWS 1.4m

Tidal planning for vessels departing Belfast Lough is essential. Vessels approaching from the north will encounter tides that run hard through the sounds in and between the Copeland Island Group and the mainland. Those approaching close outside the Copelands Group will encounter races with overfalls as they close in on the islands. At the eastern tip of Mew Island the ‘Ram Race’ initiates and extends 1.5 miles south-by-southeast on the flood and up to 1.75 miles north-by-northwest on the ebb.

From Dover HW +0455 to -0115 (Belfast HW +0510 to -0100) the tide floods southeast. Donaghadee Sound’s spring streams can, in places, reach up to 4.5 knots in both directions making a favourable tide transit a prerequisite for most leisure craft. Streams largely follow the direction of the channel but it should be noted heavy tide rips in a big seaway may cause overfalls to occur across the southeast end of Donaghadee Sound.

Copeland Sound tides are not as strong but still attain rates of up to 2.5 knots with Spring tides. This is not the preferred channel owing to the two challenging and unmarked rocky shoals called ‘Platters’ and ‘Ninaen Bushes’, the latter with less than a metre of cover is situated out half a mile off from the north-east point of Copeland Island. Eddies are very strong elsewhere all around the islands group.

Outside the islands the tides turn about one hour later. On the south going flood a vast eddy forms to the south of Mew Island. This circles back on itself in the five mile area between the entrance to Donaghadee Sound and Ballyferis Point. Hence the streams off Donaghadee Harbour are 1.5 kn rotary in a clockwise direction on the flood. However when this vast circular eddy of water courses around to collide with the flood tide, to the south-southeast of Mew, the ill-famed Ram Race shows its true colours. Thus the area is at its worst after the recirculation on the second half of the flood circa HW Dover -0230 to +0015 or about local HW (HW Belfast -0215 to +0030 or about local HW). Likewise the north-northwest race occurs on the latter half of the ebb from HW Dover +0330 to +0630 (HW Belfast +0345 to +0615 or about local LW).

Expect a spring rate of about 2.5 knots off Skullmartin Rock and 1.5 knots along the coast from Burr Point to Ballyquintin Point. It should also be noted a south going eddy forms in Ballyhalbert Bay during the second half of the north going stream.

Calculate future tides

This tool can be used to estimate future costal tidal streams for this area. All that is required are two simple steps:

Step 1: What is the Dover High Water for the target date?

Use a current Dover Tide Table to find Dover High Water for the target date. The National Oceanography Centre offers online tidal predictions for up to 28 days from today. Click here to open their tide table for Dover

Step 2: Input the target date's Dover High Water

Hour: Minute:

Taking a mean tidal offset from Dover's tide, we expect your targetted date's associated local tide at to be:

High waters: Low waters:

Data based on an average tide is only accurate to within one hour, if you more precise times are required use the ISA tidal predictions, with Portavogie offset -01:00.

Tidal Hour:

()

For planning purposes only, not for navigation. Please see our terms and conditions.

Ballyhalbert Bay's Future Tides

For planning purposes only, not for navigation. Please see our terms and conditions.

Weather for Ballyhalbert Bay

Current wind over the protected quadrants

Today's overview


°C °C	°C °C	°C °C	°C °C	°C °C

The above wind speeds are expressed in the Beaufort scale. Red indicates strong winds of 6 or higher.

Headline: Bright spells and scattered showers through Monday.

This Evening and Tonight: Cloudy with outbreaks of rain across County Antrim soon clears to leave the evening dry with clear spells, perhaps the odd fog patch developing. Overnight a narrow band of occasionally heavy rain pushes northeast, affecting all areas by dawn. Minimum Temperature 6C.

Monday: Cloudy start with any remaining rain soon clearing to leave a bright day with sunny spells, although towards midday showers will develop and become heavy at times for the afternoon. Maximum Temperature 16C.

Outlook for Tuesday to Thursday: Rather cloudy with showers or longer spells of occasionally heavy rain through Tuesday and Wednesday. Drier and brighter on Thursday but colder as winds turn more northerly.

Click [+] to advance by twelve hours and click [-] to step back. The forecasted time is presented in the top left hand corner of the pressure chart. Click the image to display it in a full window.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence

Get today's Shipping Forecast for this Sea Area

Get today's RTE Video Forecast

Met Éireann Sea Area Forecast

Advanced Haven Search

You are three steps from finding what you're looking for



Set your current location	Set the maximum distance you are prepared to travel	Check off what you want

Where are you?

We've assumed your desired starting location is "Ballyhalbert Bay, Down". Change location.

There are three ways to locate the start point of your search more information.

If it is a listed location, or there is a listed location nearby, simply select the county and haven to determine the search origin. Alternatively if you have a chart, plotter or GPS input the position in decimal degrees. Finally if you are there right now your computer may be able to automatically locate its current position via auto-locate.

There are three ways to get started; base your search from one of our listed locations, input a position, or let us try to automatically detect your current location.

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Set the range for your search more information.

The described position in step one will centre a search and the range sets the radius of a circular search area. All suitable targets, in all directions, within the direct point-to-point or aerial transit path of the range will be presented. Because the search is based on this charted distance in most cases the actual sailing passages will require extra mileage to circumvent navigational obstacles.

Find havens within of my location.

What do you need?

Refine your search to target specific shelter, location type or facilities. Alternatively you can press 'Go' now to find all the locations within the selected range.

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resource type(s)

Specific shelter

Describe the sectors you want sheltered, where you expect the wind to blow from. You may manually input each by checking the compass points or auto-fill by checking the required days on this location's five day weather forecast, more information.

You may also use a combination of both manual and forecast auto-fill to add additional sectors. Please note that the forecast auto-fill adds one compass point on either side of the forecast to allow for variability. The grey segments in the compass rose provide a visual summary of the shelter construct.

Check the compass points

Or check the days you require

Or select all compass points

Or select all five days

Please note that forecast auto-fill adds one compass point on either side of the forecast to allow for variability.

Level of protection

You may refine your search to specify a minimum level of protection, more information.

Quality of shelter is characterised from one to five stars and are described below. All levels are selected by default and you can set what is appropriate by checking the minimum star rating level. If you do not set a minimum level all havens that cover the requested quadrants will be presented irrespective of the quality of the shelter provided.

Specifying the minimum level of protection is important as this may vary significantly depending upon what it is needed for and the prevailing conditions. For instance, if conditions are moderate and it is simply needed for a lunch stop, most all locations from one star will be suitable. When looking for a location to stay overnight in comfort it would be more appropriate to select a three star minimum. Or when seeking shelter in rough conditions a minimum of four stars would be best. All of these depend upon what you are personally comfortable with, plus the capabilities of the vessel and crew.

Check the minimum
level of protection

		Complete protection; all-round shelter in all reasonable conditions.
		Good; assured night's sleep except from specific quarters.
		Tolerable; in suitable conditions a vessel may be left unwatched and an overnight stay.
		Exposed; unattended vessels should be watched from the shore and a comfortable overnight stay is unlikely.
		Stay-aboard; lunch stop or tide-wait exposed or tenacious holding location where a vessel should not be left unattended.

Ease of access

You may refine your search to the set how easy seaward access is to the resources, more information.

Approaches to the shelter are also characterised from one to five stars. All access levels are selected by default and the minimum level of access complexity may be chosen by clicking the appropriate minimum star rating.

This minimum level of access complexity may vary significantly depending upon the time available, the vessel and skill levels of the crew plus the prevailing conditions. For instance, if conditions are moderate, plus time and experience are plentiful, the one star minimum could be the most suitable option for the adventurous sailor. If conditions are more developed, but the visibility is good, a three star minimum could be the best fit. Or when seeking shelter in heavy weather conditions a four stars access minimum may be best. All of these depend upon what you are personally comfortable with, plus the capabilities of the vessel and crew.

Check the minimum
ease of access

		Safe access; all reasonable conditions.
		Straightforward; when unaffected by weather from difficult quadrants or tidal consideration, no overly complex dangers.
		Attentive navigation; daylight access with dangers that need attention.
		Careful navigation; good visibility and conditions with dangers that require careful navigation.
		Highly involved navigation; complex dangers that require arduous navigation, good visibility and settled conditions.

Specific type of location

If you wish to refine your selection to only represent locations that can support a minimum LWS draught input the minimum here, more information.

We tend to highlight the medium draught of a Haven and the search will focus on this. Deeper and shallower water may be available on closer inspection of the text.

Minimum draught required:

Nature of location

If you wish to restrict your results to a specific type of location, or several alternative types of location, check them here. Otherwise all location types will be presented in your results.

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you require

Anchorage

Beach or shoreline landing from a tender

Landing by tender

Berth alongside a deep water pier or raft up to other vessels

Alongside pier

Historic, geographic or culturally significant location; or in the immediate vicinity

Interesting

Jetty

Marina

Navigation lights to support a night approach

Night lights

Secluded

Sailing club

Scenic

Moorings

Urban

Village

Quick access

Secure location

No fees for anchoring or berthing in this location

No berthing charge

Approved port for vessels requiring clearance to lawfully enter the country

Port of entry

Flag physical restrictions

If you wish to flag locations that have the following specific physical restrictions click on the listed icon or icons below.

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to be avoided

Restriction: landing not recommended, possible or permitted here

No landing

Drying

Restriction: access via a channel with a lock or enclosed by a lock

Lock-in

Restriction: height or air draft restrictions may apply

Height restriction

Restriction: access requires lifting or swing bridge to open

Opening bridge

Overwhelming tides

Restriction: may only reasonably accommodate vessels less than a specific length

Length restriction

Restriction: rising tide required for access

Tidal

Sand bar

DANGER: Subject to conditions that could trap and destroy a vessel

DANGER: potential trap

Sill

Flag challenges

If you wish to flag locations that have the following listed complications click on their icon or icons below.

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to be avoided

Fish farming area

Charges levied

Swimming area

Strong tides

Overfalls

Strong eddies

It is a long way in

Subject to congestion

Separation Scheme

Subject to wash

Little air protection

For draughts of 1m or less

Naval or military restrictions

Specific facilities

If you wish to restrict your results to locations with a specific type of facility, or several alternative types of facility, click the icons below.

Check the required
facilities

Cycle hire

Hard-standing

Bus

Car hire

Cashpoint

Chandlery

Diesel alongside

Shore power

Electronic repair

Extensive shopping

Fuel by jerry can

Fuel by tanker

Waste disposal

Gas

Handicapped access

Haul-out

Hot food

Internet café

Laundry

Marine engineering

Walks

Supermarket

Petrol alongside

Post Office

Public houses

Sanitation pump-out

Airport within 25 km

Rigging services

Sail repair

Scuba refill

Basic shopping

Family recreation

Toilets

Showers

Slipway

Rail connections

Tourist information

Marina cart

Tap

Wireless access

Water hose

Doctor

Pharmacy

Dry out and scrub

Nice beach

When you're ready press or press to clear and start anew

Contacts and Emergency for Ballyhalbert Bay

Belfast Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC). Operational Area: Northern Ireland/ Irish Republic Border, Lough Foyle to Northern/Irish Republic Border Carlingford Lough. Belfast Coastguard (MRSC) VHF Ch 16, liaises closely with IRCG. Emergencies are worked on 16, 67 and working channel.

Alternatively, or if ashore, phone 999 and 112 and ask for ‘Marine Rescue’. Police, Fire and Rescue are also available on this number. Belfast (MRSC) may be contacted directly on +44 2891 463 933.

Other useful contacts in this area:
Belfast Harbour Radio on VHF Ch 12 or 16 or P: +44 2890 553504
Portavogie Harbour Master Radio Watch VHF Channel 14
Telephone: +44 28 4277 1470
Mobile: +44 77 1207 4609

Local Navigation Resources

British Admiralty 2156 ‘Strangford Lough’, scale of 37,500:1 that includes ‘Portavogie’, at a scale of 5000:1 British Admiralty 1753 ‘Belfast Lough and Approaches’, scale of 37,500:1, including ‘Donaghadee Sound’ scale of 15,000:1 and ‘Bangor Bay’ scale of 17,500:1. Admiralty Leisure Folio SC5612 'Northern Ireland, Carlingford Lough to Lough Foyle' SC5612.9 Sheet A 'Portavogie to Ballywalter'. Imray chart C62 – ‘Irish Sea’ plus Discovery Ordinance Survey map 15 (Belfast - scale of 1:50 000) and Map 21: Strangford Lough also cover this area.

Thank you for using eOceanic, can you suggest how to make it better?

Please note eOceanic makes no guarantee of the validity of this information. Whilst every effort has been made to use valid source data and ensure calculations are correct, no warranty is made. All tidal predictions are approximations and differences used to calculate times and heights at secondary ports are based on stated averages that reduce precision. This information is provided as a guide only and is not to be used for navigation. For navigation please refer to published tidal tables. Actual height and time of tides are affected by barometric pressure and other weather effects. Any data provided on this page is entirely used at your own risk and you must read our legal page if you view data on this site.