Ballymastocker Bay, with its small hamlet of Portsalon, is a scenic bay on the Fanad Peninsula located about five miles within and on the western shore of Lough Swilly, in the north of Ireland. The bay provides an anchorage, some moorings, and the opportunity of landing by dinghy at a pier or on its extensive sandy beach.
Protected by rugged cliffs the bay affords good shelter from winds from a westerly quarter, but is somewhat exposed to easterly winds and swell across the Lough. Access to the bay is straightforward in all reasonable weather and tide conditions.
Keyfacts for Portsalon
Last modified
July 10th 2021 Summary
A good location with straightforward access.Facilities
Nature
Considerations
Position and approaches
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Haven position
55° 12.357' N, 007° 37.122' Wthis is the position at the anchorage in the north part of the bay
What is the initial fix?
The following Lough Swilly Initial Fix will set up a final approach:
55° 17.800' N, 007° 35.030' W
This is an approach position for the lough that keeps a vessel clear of Fanad and Dunaff Heads where there can be some confused seas. It is also close south of the first waypoint of the Lough Swilly Route. What are the key points of the approach?
Offshore details are available in northwestern Ireland’s coastal overview for Erris Head to Malin Head . A set of waypoints to assist when running up lough, as far as Fanad, can be found in the Lough Swilly route .
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 Portsalon for your convenience.
Ten nearest havens by straight line charted distance and bearing:
- Crummie's Bay - 2.4 nautical miles E
- Scraggy Bay - 2.6 nautical miles SE
- Dunree Bay - 2.8 nautical miles ESE
- Lenan Bay - 3.8 nautical miles ENE
- Pincher Bay - 4 nautical miles N
- Macamish Bay - 5.2 nautical miles SE
- Mulroy Bay - 6.6 nautical miles W
- Buncrana - 7.1 nautical miles SE
- Rathmullan - 7.4 nautical miles SSE
- Sheep Haven - 7.7 nautical miles W
These havens are ordered by straight line charted distance and bearing, and can be reordered by compass direction or coastal sequence:
- Crummie's Bay - 2.4 miles E
- Scraggy Bay - 2.6 miles SE
- Dunree Bay - 2.8 miles ESE
- Lenan Bay - 3.8 miles ENE
- Pincher Bay - 4 miles N
- Macamish Bay - 5.2 miles SE
- Mulroy Bay - 6.6 miles W
- Buncrana - 7.1 miles SE
- Rathmullan - 7.4 miles SSE
- Sheep Haven - 7.7 miles W
What's the story here?
Portsalon Pier overlooking the bay from the north
Image: Kevin Flanagan
Image: Kevin Flanagan
Ballymastocker Bay is an east-facing bay located about five miles within and on the western shore of Lough Swilly. The gradually shelving bay is open, free of dangers and entered between Portsalon and Saldanha Head, a distance of about 2 miles. The preferred anchorage is situated in the northern part of the bay, just south of the pier at Portsalon which is sheltered by the rugged cliffs on the mainland to the west.
Boats off Portsalon in Ballymastocker Bay
Image: Brian Deeney of Donegal Cottage Holidays
Image: Brian Deeney of Donegal Cottage Holidays
How to get in?
Approaches to the Lough Swilly can be found in northwestern Ireland’s coastal overview for Erris Head to Malin Head . A set of waypoints to assist with the run up the lough as far as Fanad can be found in the Lough Swilly route . The entire length of Lough Swilly is marked with various easily identified navigation lights along the main deepwater shipping channel and the bay is clear of outlying dangers.Portsalon at the head of Ballymastocker Bay
Image: Brian Deeney of Donegal Cottage Holidays
Image: Brian Deeney of Donegal Cottage Holidays
Anchor according to draft or conditions in excellent sand holding. The usual location is close south of the pier in 2 to 5 metres. Land on the beach or at the pier that has 0.5 metres at its head. It may be possible to come alongside temporarily.
The view south from Portsalon
Image: Brian Deeney of Donegal Cottage Holidays
Image: Brian Deeney of Donegal Cottage Holidays
Why visit here?
Ballymastocker Bay, sometimes also known as Portsalon Beach, is a beautiful crescent-shaped east-facing bay encompassed by green fields that give some sheltered protection from the prevailing winds to the beach below.Heather-covered mountains plunging into blue seas at Ballymastocker Bay
Image: Tourism Ireland
Image: Tourism Ireland
The bay was once voted the second most beautiful in the world by readers of the Observer Magazine, only pipped to the post by a beach in venerable Seychelles, and is rated as one of the Top 10 in the World by the Lonely Planet. When you see it you’ll understand why. Heather-covered mountains plunge into the translucent blue seas with a broad golden beach between, that extends for miles from the foot of Knockalla Hill all the way to Portsalon. This is a truly spectacular Blue Flag beach with fabulous views towards the Inishowen Peninsula opposite. Unlike many other outstanding beaches, apart from a couple of other families on a sunny day, you are most likely to have it all to yourself.
Ballymastocker Beach with the Inishowen Peninsula in the backdrop
Image: Brian Deeney of Donegal Cottage Holidays
Image: Brian Deeney of Donegal Cottage Holidays
The small coastal hamlet of Portsalon, at its northern end, derives its name from the Irish Port an Salainn meaning 'port of the salt'. There is no actual village of Portsalon, but the main area of cottages are clustered around its small stone pier where a grocery shop and bar, combined in one little building, and a cafe are located. The ship's bell of the bullion-laden HMS Laurentic, sunk in 1917 by a minelaying submarine, was salvaged and now serves the congregation of Portsalon's small church.
Portsalon
Image: Brian Deeney of Donegal Cottage Holidays
Image: Brian Deeney of Donegal Cottage Holidays
There are other shops and bars a short distance to the south of this area which cater mainly for the recently built holiday cottages that enjoy views of Ballymastocker Bay. Portsalon Golf Club lies nearby attracting many visitors to this quiet and tranquil corner of west Donegal and it can be considered a must for any golf enthusiast aboard.
From a cruising point of view, this is a lovely anchorage with all the necessities and a useful pier to land on at Portsalon. It is particularly perfect for boats with a young family aboard.
What facilities are available?
With the exception of the pier, the grocery store cum bar, and the cafe, there are no facilities at Ballymastocker Bay. The large town of Letterkenny, 20 miles south, has a wide range of shops and other facilities.With thanks to:
Graham Wilkinson. Photography with thanks to Brian Deeney of Donegal Cottage Holidays.Portsalon, Ballymastocker Bay, Lough Swilly, Donegal
Image: eOceanic thanks Tourism Ireland
Portsalon at the head of Ballymastocker Bay
Image: eOceanic thanks Donegal Cottage Holidays
Portsalon Pier overlooking the bay from the north
Image: eOceanic thanks Donegal Cottage Holidays
Portsalon's stone pier
Image: eOceanic thanks Donegal Cottage Holidays
The head of Portsalon's stone pier
Image: eOceanic thanks Donegal Cottage Holidays
Boat alongside Portsalon pier
Image: eOceanic thanks Donegal Cottage Holidays
Ballymastocker and Portsalon aerial views
Ballymastocker slideshow
About Portsalon
Ballymastocker Bay, sometimes also known as Portsalon Beach, is a beautiful crescent-shaped east-facing bay encompassed by green fields that give some sheltered protection from the prevailing winds to the beach below.
Heather-covered mountains plunging into blue seas at Ballymastocker Bay
Image: Tourism Ireland
Image: Tourism Ireland
The bay was once voted the second most beautiful in the world by readers of the Observer Magazine, only pipped to the post by a beach in venerable Seychelles, and is rated as one of the Top 10 in the World by the Lonely Planet. When you see it you’ll understand why. Heather-covered mountains plunge into the translucent blue seas with a broad golden beach between, that extends for miles from the foot of Knockalla Hill all the way to Portsalon. This is a truly spectacular Blue Flag beach with fabulous views towards the Inishowen Peninsula opposite. Unlike many other outstanding beaches, apart from a couple of other families on a sunny day, you are most likely to have it all to yourself.
Ballymastocker Beach with the Inishowen Peninsula in the backdrop
Image: Brian Deeney of Donegal Cottage Holidays
Image: Brian Deeney of Donegal Cottage Holidays
The small coastal hamlet of Portsalon, at its northern end, derives its name from the Irish Port an Salainn meaning 'port of the salt'. There is no actual village of Portsalon, but the main area of cottages are clustered around its small stone pier where a grocery shop and bar, combined in one little building, and a cafe are located. The ship's bell of the bullion-laden HMS Laurentic, sunk in 1917 by a minelaying submarine, was salvaged and now serves the congregation of Portsalon's small church.
Portsalon
Image: Brian Deeney of Donegal Cottage Holidays
Image: Brian Deeney of Donegal Cottage Holidays
There are other shops and bars a short distance to the south of this area which cater mainly for the recently built holiday cottages that enjoy views of Ballymastocker Bay. Portsalon Golf Club lies nearby attracting many visitors to this quiet and tranquil corner of west Donegal and it can be considered a must for any golf enthusiast aboard.
From a cruising point of view, this is a lovely anchorage with all the necessities and a useful pier to land on at Portsalon. It is particularly perfect for boats with a young family aboard.
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:
Scraggy Bay - 1.6 miles SEMacamish Bay - 3.2 miles SE
Rathmullan - 4.6 miles SSE
Ramelton - 6.2 miles S
The Lough Swilly Marina - 5.3 miles SSE
Coastal anti-clockwise:
Pincher Bay - 2.5 miles NMulroy Bay - 4.1 miles W
Sheep Haven - 4.8 miles W
Tramore Bay - 8.8 miles W
Tory Island - 13.1 miles W
Navigational pictures
These additional images feature in the 'How to get in' section of our detailed view for Portsalon.
Detail view | Off |
Picture view | On |
Ballymastocker and Portsalon aerial views
Ballymastocker slideshow
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