Oyster Haven is a sea-inlet on the south coast of Ireland situated about ten miles southwest of the entrance to Cork Harbour and two miles east of the entrance to Kinsale Harbour, in Co. Cork. The natural harbour offers a picturesque and secluded anchorage but with few shore facilities.

The natural harbour offers complete protection from all conditions. The lower section of the harbour is somewhat exposed to stiff conditions from the south round to southeast, but in these conditions, shelter may be obtained by taking the vessel up ‘Murray’ Creek’ situated in the northwest arm of the harbour, which will support vessels of up to two metres. Oysterhaven provides straightforward access and may be entered in daylight in almost all conditions on any state of the tide.

There is an unmarked and covered rock inside the harbour. This is easily avoided by taking a westerly route up through the harbour but should be noted from the outset.

Keyfacts for Oysterhaven

Position and approaches

Haven position

51° 41.720' N, 008° 27.180' W

In the middle of the anchorage to the northwest of Ferry Point in 3.7 metres.

What is the initial fix?

This waypoint is outside the haven entrance. It is approximately a quarter of a nautical mile east of Ballymacus point, quarter of a nautical mile to the north of Big Sovereign Rock and quarter of a nautical mile to the west of Little Sovereign.

What are the key points of the approach?

Not what you need?

To find locations with the specific attributes you need try:

How to get in?

Oysterhaven is a large sea-inlet two miles to the east of Kinsale Harbour. It is readily identified from seaward by its off-lying Sovereign islets. The most conspicuous of these is the Big Sovereign islet that is situated half a mile south of the entrance.



Big Sovereign is made up of two steep and inaccessible hummocks that are divided into two parts by a cleft. Further inshore and 200 metres off the eastern point of the entrance is the 16 metres high rocky Little Sovereign islet. Midway between them is Sovereign Patch that has a least depth of 2.7 metres.



The Sovereigns provide excellent marks to locate the Oysterhaven entrance and there is good depths all around them; even little Sovereign has in excess of two metres chart datum plus more with a half tide. Hence the initial fix is immediately located outside the entrance within both these conspicuous marks.



From the initial fix proceed north through the harbour entrance that is situated between Ballymacus Point on the western shore and Kimure Point on the eastern shore, about 0.6 miles northeast of Ballymacus Point. The inner entrance is narrow, but there is plenty of water at the mouth of the harbour that is free of obstructions.



The only danger in the way of vessels entering Oysterhaven is in the inner harbour area beyond Kinure Point. This is a covered and unmarked rock called ‘Harbour Rock’ that has a depth of 1.2 metres and lies about half a mile within the entrance; about halfway up inside the harbour abreast of Ferry Point, nearly midway between the opposite shores. The best channel is to the west of it, between Ferry Point and the rock, a distance of approximately 280 metres, where the rock is passed to starboard.



The anchorage is on the north side of Ferry Point, at the entrance of the western arm, in 3 to 5 metres of water. Find a location that is comfortable and anchor about a midpoint between the shores.



There is good holding in mud but do be careful that the anchor does not foul in seaweed. It is slightly confined by other boats and moorings in the season and an alternate anchorage can be found in the middle of the harbour. Land at the slip on the opposite shore to Ferry Point where a large white coastguard building will be seen.



Both these locations can be exposed to a heavy sea with south-westerly winds. In these conditions, a vessel can obtain better shelter by continuing up the north-western arm of the bay into the picturesquely forested ‘Murray’s Creek’ often also known as Belgooley River.



The creek is subject to silting so vessels proceeding up the creek should take it steady with an eye to the sounder all the way. Expect to find two metres all the way up to a small pier where it is best to anchor in excellent mud holding. After this, it narrows and quickly becomes shallow. Many moorings will be encountered all the way up the creek.

Why visit here?

Oysterhaven, in Irish Cuan Oisre, as noted by A. Reilly’s Cork history of 1701 derives its name from the excellent oysters that can be found here.



Historically very little has happened in this secluded and tranquil location. Its only footnote in history was during the ‘Siege of Kinsale’ when it was used by the British army as a place to land supplies. After the Boyne, William occupied Dublin and the Jacobites retreated to the west of Ireland. William attacked Limerick in August 1690 but was repulsed. To secure the Jacobite-held ports of Cork and Kinsale on the southern coast, he dispatched a force under John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough. After taking Cork all that remained for the Williamites was to take Kinsale which was strongly defended by two forts, the Old Fort, also known as James' Fort, and the New Fort or Charles Fort.

The English forces besieging Kinsale then brought supplies to their camp, located to the north of the town, from ships anchored in Oysterhaven and then by boat up ‘Murray Creek’ to Brown's Mills. Marlborough attacked the fortifications but was unable to take them by storm. The Old Fort only fell after an accidental explosion in its gunpowder magazine, which killed 40 and made a successful assault possible. After some 200 were slain the rest surrendered, receiving mercy. Charles Fort, however, held out for ten days and surrendered only after receiving guarantees that its 1,200-strong garrison could march away to Limerick.

After this brief flurry of activity Oysterhaven returned to the tranquil and picturesque harbour it is today. It now hosts a peaceful community that mainly consists of retired people and occasional wealthy owners of its holiday homes. You will see many other yachtsmen coming and going from their moorings.



For the cruising boatman, it provides sheltered bays that make for a very pleasant anchorage with quick access to open water. It is a place where a vessel can peacefully swing on its chain away from the world of hustle and bustle whilst trailing a fishing line off the stern.

What facilities are available?

Oyster Haven has little or no facilities apart from a pier and slipway to land a dingy on. It has a very high status hotel, set in 90 acres of mature wooded parkland with panoramic views overlooking Oysterhaven Bay. The busy town of Kinsale however is only five to six kilometres away six and the bay is only 20 minutes from Cork International Airport.

Any security concerns?

Never an issue known to have occurred in Oyster Haven.

With thanks to:

Anthony McCarthy, local yachtsman.Photographs with thanks to Erik Sykora, Michael Harpur and Burke Corbett.