Located on Ireland’s southwest coast, Colla Harbour is situated on the mainland at the head of Long Island Bay, to the north of Long Island and close west of the entrance to Schull Harbour. It offers an anchorage off a modern but drying pier in Long Island Channel.

Set within the enclosed channel the anchorage offers good protection from all but very strong westerly or north-easterly winds. Approaches to the general area are straightforward at any stage of the tide and the approach to the channel's eastern entrance is lit.

Keyfacts for Colla Harbour

Position and approaches

Haven position

51° 30.381' N, 009° 33.640' W

This is the position of Colla pier head set into a bight on the mainland shoreline.

What are the key points of the approach?

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What's the story here?

Colla Pier is a small shallow pier set into a mainland bight on the north side of the Long Island Channel. Colla Pier looks out over Long Island, about 600 metres opposite, to which it provides a regular ferry service to the island small corresponding quay. Several holiday homes overlook the small bight and pier but apart from this, it is a quiet rural location.




The anchorage immediately offshore in Long Island Channel affords good shelter over good holding ground with plenty of space and water.

How to get in?

Offshore details are available in southwestern Ireland’s Coastal Overview of Cork Harbour to Mizen Head for seaward approaches. Vessels approaching from the south may use the Schull Harbour general approach directions and initial fix. This is the principal approach, the safest and is lit.




These directions should be used in conjunction with the Long Island entry as it is situated directly opposite Long Island pier on the mainland side of Long Island Channel. This entry also provides additional directions for vessels intending to enter Long Island Channel's western end from the southwest via Goat Island Sound or Man of War Sound.




Anchor according to draft off the bight where the small pier is situated. Beware of an underwater cable when anchoring. Land alongside the pier.

Why visit here?

Colla takes its name from the Irish 'Cé an Chalaidh' 'harbour of the ferry'. This is derived from its connection to Long Island to which Colla has provided a ferry service since ancient times.




This service continues to this day as Long Island remains one of the few of Carbery's Hundred Isles and the smallest that is still inhabited, though just with a permanent population of about 10 people. The main area of habitation is situated just above the pier opposite Colla in the island's houses that date back to the early 1900s. These buildings have been entirely restored and have running water with mains electricity that is supplied from the mainland through a submarine power cable. They are catered for by a regular ferry service passes back and forth, operating five days a week during the summer months and three days a week during the winter months, from Colla.




Colla offers a quiet setting with beautiful scenery overlooking Colla's coastal backdrop, to the north, and Long Island to the south. For a family boat, the small coastal bight is an ideal location to let kids loose to explore. It has a small beach, albeit stony, and the occasional pub and small local produce outlet in the hinterlands are within walking distance. Schull is a 30 minute (3.0 km) walk from the pier via Colla Road or 5 minutes by taxi.




From a boating perspective, the berth off Colla pier provides another truly lovely Long Island Channel anchorage. Yet, and unlike the adjacent Long Island anchorage, it has quick and easy access to Schull by road. This makes it a very good alternative to Schull Harbour.




From here a vessel can benefit from both road and boat access to the active holiday town but also escape all its disturbance in the night. But this said, if southerly wind protection is required the anchorage off Long Island pier will be the best.

What facilities are available?

There is nothing here at this location except for the small quay and slipway and the Long Island Ferry service. Contact Maurice Coughlan: +353 86 172 1254 for booking/prices. A water taxi service is available at other times.

Any security concerns?

Never an issue known to have occurred to vessel anchored off Colla Harbour.

With thanks to:

Burke Corbett, Gusserane, New Ross, Co. Wexford.