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Clifden Bay offers good shelter except perhaps from developed north-westerlies that would have considerable fetch. Access is straightforward in daylight at any stage of the tide.
Keyfacts for Clifden Boat Club
Facilities
Nature
Considerations
Protected sectors
Approaches
Shelter
Last modified
June 23rd 2025 Summary
A good location with straightforward access.Facilities
Nature
Considerations
+353 95 30886
clifdenboatclub.com/Position and approaches
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Haven position
53° 29.114' N, 010° 3.286' WSouth of the jetty belonging to Clifden Boat Club
What is the initial fix?
The following Clifden Bay Initial Fix will set up a final approach:
53° 29.261' N, 010° 6.350' W 
What are the key points of the approach?
Offshore details are available in western Ireland’s coastal overview for Slyne Head to Erris Head 
. Use Clifden 
for local directions.
. Use Clifden for local directions. 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 Clifden Boat Club for your convenience.
Ten nearest havens by straight line charted distance and bearing:
- Clifden - 0.9 nautical miles E
- Mannin Bay - 3 nautical miles SW
- Fahy Bay - 4.7 nautical miles NNE
- Cleggan Bay - 4.8 nautical miles NNW
- Bunowen Bay - 5.2 nautical miles SSW
- Ballynakill Harbour - 5.8 nautical miles NNE
- Roundstone Bay - 7.2 nautical miles SE
- Gorteen Bay - 7.6 nautical miles SSE
- Bertraghboy Bay - 9.1 nautical miles ESE
- Bofin Harbour - 9.4 nautical miles NW
These havens are ordered by straight line charted distance and bearing, and can be reordered by compass direction or coastal sequence:
- Clifden - 0.9 miles E
- Mannin Bay - 3 miles SW
- Fahy Bay - 4.7 miles NNE
- Cleggan Bay - 4.8 miles NNW
- Bunowen Bay - 5.2 miles SSW
- Ballynakill Harbour - 5.8 miles NNE
- Roundstone Bay - 7.2 miles SE
- Gorteen Bay - 7.6 miles SSE
- Bertraghboy Bay - 9.1 miles ESE
- Bofin Harbour - 9.4 miles NW
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How to get in?
Clifden Castle, Clifden Boat Club and the tidal inlet leading up to ClifdenImage: Tourism Ireland
Clifden Boat Club is located at the eastern end of Clifden Bay close west of where the Owenglin River flows into Clifden Bay and about a mile below the town Quay. It provides a great anchorage with some visitors moorings available and easy access to a slip.
Boats anchored off the club as seen from Clifden CastleImage: Raúl Corral via ASA 3.0
Offshore details are available in western Ireland’s coastal overview for Slyne Head to Erris Head and local directions are covered in the Clifden entry. Anchor according to conditions or pick up a mooring by arrangement with the club.Why visit here?
This is a good anchorage for access to Clifden town about 2km away or a mile by tender at high water. The town has an excellent selection of shops, pubs and restaurants which makes it a must visit and especially so for vessels that need to replenish provisions along this coast. Clifden also has good bus access to both Westport and Galway for onward rail travel if you want to leave the boat or change crew.Clifden's town quay
is tidal and can only be approached by moderate draft vessels two hours either side of high water. The anchorage off the club has ample deep water which permits access for provisioning to the town by dinghy at high water, via a convenient jetty provided by the supermarket up the estuary, or at the town quay. Clifden also has several taxi services if you don't want to load up the dinghy or walk.The sailing club is very friendly and welcomes visitors. They have an excellent bar and restaurant that is open to non-members. Good visitor moorings are available at no charge. Showers are available at €2.00.
What facilities are available?
The clubhouse overlooks Clifden Bay anchorage and has shower/changing rooms a bar and restaurant. Visitor moorings and safe anchorages are available off the clubhouse, and their jetty/slip can be made use of if required. Freshwater by jerry can is available 25 metres from the slip. The welcoming clubhouse has showers and changing rooms, a bar and a restaurant.All fresh provisions and stores can be obtained at Clifden and it also has an internet cafe. The town's wide variety of interesting shops and supermarkets make it the best point to stock up on this part of the coast. A jetty in the river below the supermarket, accessible by dinghy near high water, further facilitates this. Lots of bars and restaurants within the town help to make Clifden a really worthwhile destination.
Fuel and Lube oil are available in drums from Clifden town and tanker deliveries to Clifden quay. Some spares and mechanical repairs are available locally. Clifden has good bus access to both Westport and Galway for onward rail travel.
With thanks to:
PETER CRAVEN. Photographs with thanks to Peter Craven and Roger Harrison.
View of pontoon from the shore
Image: eOceanic thanks PETER CRAVEN
Clifden Sailing Club Clubhouse
Image: eOceanic thanks PETER CRAVEN
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