
However, Ardgroom requires highly involved navigation as the intricate entrance, over a rocky 2.4-metre bar, utilises transit beacons that are now grey or obscured by trees and very hard to see - particularly so in the early part of the day with the sun in the east. This makes it a testing exercise for the first visit, with daylight and settled conditions a prerequisite.
Keyfacts for Ardgroom Harbour
Nature
Considerations
Protected sectors

Summary
A completely protected location with highly involved navigation required for access.Nature
Considerations
Position and approaches
Haven position
In the centre of the anchorage off the pier.
What is the initial fix?

What are the key points of the approach?
Not what you need?
- Kilmakilloge Harbour - 1.2 miles ENE
- Sneem Harbour - 2.1 miles N
- Ballycrovane Harbour - 2.4 miles SW
- Mill Cove - 3.7 miles S
- Castletownbere (Castletown Bearhaven) - 4 miles S
- West Cove - 4.1 miles W
- Adrigole - 4.5 miles SE
- Dunboy Bay & Traillaun Harbour - 4.6 miles SSW
- Lawrence Cove - 4.6 miles SSE
- Lonehort Harbour - 4.7 miles SSE
- Kilmakilloge Harbour - 1.2 miles ENE
- Sneem Harbour - 2.1 miles N
- Ballycrovane Harbour - 2.4 miles SW
- Mill Cove - 3.7 miles S
- Castletownbere (Castletown Bearhaven) - 4 miles S
- West Cove - 4.1 miles W
- Adrigole - 4.5 miles SE
- Dunboy Bay & Traillaun Harbour - 4.6 miles SSW
- Lawrence Cove - 4.6 miles SSE
- Lonehort Harbour - 4.7 miles SSE
Chart
How to get in?

Image: Graham Rabbits
The land-locked harbour Ardgroom Harbour on the south shore, offers protection from all conditions in a capacious land-locked area, with 2 to 6 metres of water. However, Ardgroom has an intricate entrance, over a rocky 2.4 metres bar, that utilises transit beacons, the first of which is often obscured by trees and very hard to see. This makes it a testing exercise for the first visit where daylight and settled conditions a prerequisite. Vessels are advised to come in under power with a good bearing compass and binoculars to hand.
- (i) A 135° T track leading into the single Halftide Rock Beacon that is passed on its northern side.
- (ii) Then the 099° leading line provided by the first pair of beacons of the Black Rock Beacon front and the rear in the trees about ½ a mile behind. It is the latter rear beacon that is sometimes made inconspicuous by bushes in Ardgroom. Even when cut back they tend to hide it from view and it will, most likely, be seen when the intersection point has been reached.
- (iii) Then following the 026° bearing off Yellow Rock in deep water for ½ a mile where the deep water of the inner harbour opens out.
We provide some waypoints below that will help to position the vessel for alignment. But do not rely on the waypoints to take a vessel in, only use them to help position your vessel to pick up the beacons.

Image: Graham Rabbits
The next waypoint is the charted intersection with the first 135° beacon leading to Halftide Rock and the second 099°/279° pair of beacons leading to Black Rock Beacon. It is approximately 80 metres northwest of the conspicuous black beacon by Half Tide rock where the vessel should turn to port.
The following waypoint is the charted intersection with the second 099° beacon leading to Black Rock (white beacon) and the third 026°/206° (astern) leading line off Yellow Rock (dark concrete with faded black painted bands) into the harbour. It is approximately 120 metres west by northwest of the Black Rock beacon where you should be turning to starboard.
_leading_line_off_yellow_rock_into_the_harbour.jpg)
into the harbour
Image: Graham Rabbits
Then following the 026° pair of beacons fronted by Yellow Rock in deep water ½ a mile where you can turn westward into the harbour in deep water. You will probably find that you will be forced to turn to starboard a little sooner than this position due to encroaching fish farm string.

Image: Burke Corbett

Image: John Eagle
Why visit here?
It is a lovely bay with high ground on the south side and some beautiful views although it has been encroached on by fish farming.
Image: Graham Rabbits
There is a fine stone circle near the village and other monuments of the past in the vicinity and the area features on the Beara Way Long Distance Walking Route.

Image: Ingo Mehling CC BY-SA 3.0
Due to the influence of the gulf-stream climate, you will see palm trees and bamboo thriving around these parts.
What facilities are available?
There are no facilities in Ardgroom Harbour save for a new landing pier.Any security concerns?
Never an incident known to have occurred in Ardgroom.With thanks to:
Burke Corbett, Gusserane, New Ross, Co. Wexford.

Pallas Harbour, Ardgroom
Add your review or comment:
Pietro Totaro wrote this review on May 10th 2018:
Hi,
actually, the first, 2nd and 3rd picture show Cleandra Harbour, out and 3 miles WSW from Ardgroom Harbour. The view in the third picture is from Shamrock Cliff and not from Droumard. Near Droumard, in fact, there is a nice pier on Ardgroom Harbour.
Kind regards,
Pietro
Michael Harpur wrote this review on May 18th 2018:
Thank you that is so helpful. I have now put that to rights. Any other issues please let me know.
Average Rating: UnratedPlease log in to leave a review of this haven.
Please note eOceanic makes no guarantee of the validity of this information, we have not visited this haven and do not have first-hand experience to qualify the data. Although the contributors are vetted by peer review as practised authorities, they are in no way, whatsoever, responsible for the accuracy of their contributions. It is essential that you thoroughly check the accuracy and suitability for your vessel of any waypoints offered in any context plus the precision of your GPS. Any data provided on this page is entirely used at your own risk and you must read our legal page if you view data on this site. Free to use sea charts courtesy of Navionics.