
Roberts Cove is a small coastal inlet that is situated just over three miles southwest of the Cork Harbour entrance approximately half way between Robert’s Head and Cork Head, in Co. Cork
This inlet provides an exposed anchorage that is open to the south round to southeast. It offers marginal protection from south-westerly conditions up to a Beaufort force 3-4, but after that, it will tend to roll uncomfortably. However shallower draft vessels may go deeper into the cove to find more protection. In general, it should be considered a fair-weather anchorage for southerly winds but it is well protected from all other quarters.
Normal navigation will see you into the cove as it has easy daylight access and there are no unmarked off lying dangers for the cruising yachtsman.
Keyfacts for Robert's Cove
Last modified
February 26th 2021 Summary
An exposed location with straightforward access.Facilities
Nature
Considerations
Position and approaches
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Haven position
Half way up the inlet.
What is the initial fix?
The following Robert’s Cove initial fix will set up a final approach:

What are the key points of the approach?
Offshore details are available in southeastern Ireland’s Coastal Overview for Rosslare Harbour to Cork Harbour
. Details for vessels approaching from the southwest are available in southwestern Ireland’s Coastal Overview for Cork Harbour to Mizen Head
.
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 Robert's Cove for your convenience.
Ten nearest havens by straight line charted distance and bearing:
- Ringabella Bay - 1.1 miles N
- Crosshaven - 2.4 miles N
- Drake’s Pool - 2.4 miles NNW
- White Bay - 2.7 miles NNE
- Spike Island - 3.6 miles N
- Oysterhaven - 3.7 miles WSW
- Cork Harbour Marina - 3.8 miles N
- Cobh - 4 miles N
- Cuskinny - 4.3 miles NNE
- Glenbrook - 4.4 miles N
These havens are ordered by straight line charted distance and bearing, and can be reordered by compass direction or coastal sequence:
- Ringabella Bay - 1.1 miles N
- Crosshaven - 2.4 miles N
- Drake’s Pool - 2.4 miles NNW
- White Bay - 2.7 miles NNE
- Spike Island - 3.6 miles N
- Oysterhaven - 3.7 miles WSW
- Cork Harbour Marina - 3.8 miles N
- Cobh - 4 miles N
- Cuskinny - 4.3 miles NNE
- Glenbrook - 4.4 miles N
How to get in?

Image: John Bennett
Robert’s Cove is a small narrow inlet situated about ½ a mile westward of Cork Head and a little more than the same north of Robert's Head. The narrow inlet blends in with its surrounding cliffs and locating its position from seaward will requires some keen eyeball navigation.
When rounding the head and turning towards the initial fix, the cove should make itself known by its caravans and a bungalow set on the eastern side of the narrow inlet. These should be seen just before the cove opens up.
It is set on a 73 metres high headland and is located a third of a mile to the southwest of the cove; as seen on Admiralty Chart 1765. Proceed towards the cliff face beneath the tower and the bay, orientated north-northwest/south-southeast, will soon open and reveal itself. A white house will appear first on this line of approach.

Once the cove has made itself known alter course towards the outer end of the cove.
Then a pub will be seen, most likely painted a conspicuous orange colour (as seen 2012), and a stone arched bridge plus a seawall at the head of the bay.


The inlet within is approximately 350 metres long of which about half dries at low water.



Why visit here?
Robert's Cove is one of the most scenic bays on the southwest Cork coastline.Originally formed by a retreating glacier, the cove hosts a small village that consists of a number of houses, a caravan park and two pubs. The brightly coloured ‘Roberts Cove Inn’, that dominates the head of the inlet, was originally the site of an old mill. This once hosted a community of monks that milled corn and later turned their hand to the import of coal plus a reciprocal export of local slate.
Being close to the city it is a popular summer destination for day-tripping Corkonians. Recessed from the coast and sheltered from the breeze by its high western headland the calm waters of the enclosed cove are ideal for swimming. Bathers enter from the beach, or further out on the western side where readily accessible rocks give access to deeper waters. Walkers will find cliff walks just beyond the village that offer spectacular views out over the coastline.
From a yachting perspective this is a picturesque place to visit. Although far from being the perfect all weather anchorage it is a very snug little inlet that is frequented by surprisingly large vessels. It provides a good landing beach for a tender and is ideal for a bilge-keeler to dry out on. Plus there is a choice of pubs and a very good restaurant. These make it well worth stopping over in favourable conditions to enjoy this pleasant stretch of coastline with some pints and a nice meal.
What facilities are available?
Robert's Cove hosts a small village that consists of a number of houses, a caravan park and two pubs. There is a tap at the head of the bay near a grassy area that was placed there for the benefit of campers. There are no other facilities except for the bars plus a good beach to land a dinghy with car access almost alongside. The pubs offer good food daily during the season with an extensive bar and dinner menu available nightly throughout the year. Sunday lunch is on offer from 12.30 to 14.30. The village is situated 5km from Minane Bridge, 12km from Carrigaline and 25km from Cork.Any security concerns?
Never an issue known to have occurred to a vessel in Robert's Cove.With thanks to:
Anthony McCarthy, local yachtsman, and Burke Corbett. Photographs with thanks to aspecticide, Brian Catcart, Mark Murray and Burke Corbett.


Roberts Cove Overview
About Robert's Cove
Robert's Cove is one of the most scenic bays on the southwest Cork coastline.
Originally formed by a retreating glacier, the cove hosts a small village that consists of a number of houses, a caravan park and two pubs. The brightly coloured ‘Roberts Cove Inn’, that dominates the head of the inlet, was originally the site of an old mill. This once hosted a community of monks that milled corn and later turned their hand to the import of coal plus a reciprocal export of local slate.
Being close to the city it is a popular summer destination for day-tripping Corkonians. Recessed from the coast and sheltered from the breeze by its high western headland the calm waters of the enclosed cove are ideal for swimming. Bathers enter from the beach, or further out on the western side where readily accessible rocks give access to deeper waters. Walkers will find cliff walks just beyond the village that offer spectacular views out over the coastline.
From a yachting perspective this is a picturesque place to visit. Although far from being the perfect all weather anchorage it is a very snug little inlet that is frequented by surprisingly large vessels. It provides a good landing beach for a tender and is ideal for a bilge-keeler to dry out on. Plus there is a choice of pubs and a very good restaurant. These make it well worth stopping over in favourable conditions to enjoy this pleasant stretch of coastline with some pints and a nice meal.
Other options in this area
Click the 'Next' and 'Previous' buttons to progress through neighbouring havens in a coastal 'clockwise' or 'anti-clockwise' sequence. Alternatively here are the ten nearest havens available in picture view:
Coastal clockwise:
Oysterhaven - 3.7 miles WSWKinsale Harbour - 5 miles WSW
Sandy Cove - 5.4 miles WSW
Holeopen Bay East - 6.9 miles SW
Holeopen Bay West - 7.3 miles SW
Coastal anti-clockwise:
Ringabella Bay - 1.1 miles NCrosshaven - 2.4 miles N
Drake’s Pool - 2.4 miles NNW
Spike Island - 3.6 miles N
Cork Harbour Marina - 3.8 miles N
Navigational pictures
These additional images feature in the 'How to get in' section of our detailed view for Robert's Cove.







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Picture view | On |
Roberts Cove Overview
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