Sandy Cove is situated immediately west of the entrance to Kinsale Harbour on the southwest coast of Ireland. It offers a scenic anchorage in a remote and secluded location.

Tucked into an inlet, behind a small island, Sandy Cove provides a good anchorage that is highly protected and virtually free of roll in most conditions. It is uncomfortable in easterly component winds when adjacent Kinsale or Oyster Haven may be easily availed of. Daylight access to the haven is straightforward and at any stage of the tide as it has no outlying dangers.

The singular problem with Sandy Cove is finding berthing space. On a sunny summer’s weekend, it tends to fill with yachts from Kinsale but there should be no problem on a weekday.

Keyfacts for Sandy Cove

Position and approaches

Haven position

51° 40.680' N, 008° 31.130' W

This position is in the middle of the bay on the 2.7 metre contour.

What is the initial fix?

This waypoint is at the outer entrance midway between Sandy Cove Island the headland of Shronecan Point.

What are the key points of the approach?

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What's the story here?

Sandy Cove is a small inlet at the mouth of Sandy Cove Creek that is protected by the small Sandy Cove Island that rises to 28 metres. The island is situated a ¼ of a mile southwestward of Shronecan Point that forms the western entrance to Kinsale Harbour. The small hamlet of Sandycove, with a population about 100, lies on the north shore overlooking the island from a distance of about 200 metres.




An anchorage can be had to the north of the island in Sandy Cove Sound that has depths in excess of 2.7 metres. The best protection is further northwest but depths shallow quickly to below 1.5 metres so some soundings will be required.




For vessels that can take to the bottom, there is also the potential of using the Sandy Cove Creek, also known as the Ardkilly Creek, that extends northward into the mainland.

How to get in?

Use southwestern Ireland’s coastal overview for Cork Harbour to Mizen Head for seaward approaches, and the Kinsale Harbour haven for the entrance area. Sandy Cove is situated immediately west of the Kinsale Harbour entrance, between Shronecan Point and Sandy Cove Island, which from seaward, appears to be an unremarkable hump.




Vessels should approach as if entering the centre of the mouth of Kinsale Harbour then turning to enter from the east passing in northward of Sandy Cove Island island when it opens from Shronecan Point.


The Sandy Cove initial fix supports the entrance between Sandy Cove Island and the mainland’s Shronecan Point. From the initial fix continue directly up the inlet taking a central course. The neck is about 400 metres long and leads into Sandy Cove Sound situated off the northmost point of the island.




Keep a sharp eye out for swimming activity as the area is a centre for sea swimming. Yellow cone buoys divide the entrance to create a wide lane for swimmers on the island side.



Anchor according to the draft and conditions in sand with very good holding. Land at the slip below the small hamlet of Sandycove on the north shore.




Vessels that can take to the bottom, can explore Sandy Cove Creek / Ardkilly Creek, which extends northward into the mainland.

Why visit here?

Sandy Cove is a beautiful little bay at the mouth of Ardkilly Creek that shelters behind its namesake island, Sandy Cove Island. It is situated on the west shores of the Castlepark Peninsula, which itself forms the western side of the entrance to Kinsale Harbour.




The small rock ringed and grass-topped island is uninhabited except for a heard of feral goats. These have grazed upon the island’s lush green grasses for generations indicating that a reliable source of freshwater is available on the island. Over the centuries a number of ships have foundered on the rocks off the island, including the 147-ton brig Eliza that went aground on the island in 1826.




By contrast, the facing mainland shore has many large holiday homes and a tiny Sandy Cove hamlet with a permanent population of around 100. It is from here each September that the 'Sandy Cove Island Challenge' takes place. This is an annual open-water swimming race that has been held here since 1994 and attracts over three hundred swimmers. The swim departs from the slipway of the small hamlet, goes around Sandy Cove Island and back again to the slipway. The total distance is approximately 1,600 metres and the race has no handicapping applied and is open to all competent sea swimmers.




It is also possible to land on Sandy Cove Island. The best landing point is on some sand or shingle situated at the west end of the island facing the mainland shore and opposite the slip. Please note that Herring Gulls breed here and care should be taken by landing yachtsmen to avoid disturbing nesting birds.




From a boating perspective, the sound between the island and shore makes for a delightful and out-of-the-way anchorage with all-round views over the lush green countryside. Yet it is only a five-minute drive from the town of Kinsale, which can be accessed by crossing the bridge situated on the opposite side of the Castlepark Peninsula.




The protective island creates a perfect place for a vessel to swing peacefully on its chain for a few days and is a particularly good location for boats that have a young family aboard. The kids will find plenty to explore in the protected little inlet and it is also a good place to let young children loose with a 'dingy’; by anchoring in the neck of the bay the vessel will stand between them and the sea whilst being able to monitor them at all times from the cockpit.

What facilities are available?

Apart for the slip there are no facilities in the secluded Sandy Cove.

Any security concerns?

It would be unlikely that you would experience any issues at anchor in Sandy Cove.

With thanks to:

Burke Corbett, Gusserane, New Ross, Co. Wexford. Photos with thanks to Julien Carnot, Andy Beacroft, YanoG, Graham Rabbits and Mario Luna.