Cornashamma Bay is located on the north coast of Ireland a mile to the southwest of Inishowen Lighthouse on the eastern side of the Inishowen Peninsula. It offers an anchorage within a protected rock fringed inlet set into the coast.

The anchorage lies under the lee of the peninsula and affords good protection in winds from south-southwest through north to north-northeast, but is exposed to easterly winds from east to south. Due to offlying rocks on either side of the bay, it requires attentive navigation in daylight, and although tidal streams are strong outside, Cornashamma Bay is accessible at all states of the tide.

Good visibility is required to circumnavigate a sunken rock in the entrance path. Vessels operating in the Lough Foyle area should maintain a listening watch on the primary Foyle VHF Channel 14.

Keyfacts for Cornashamma Bay

Position and approaches

Haven position

55° 12.742' N, 006° 56.972' W

This is the middle of the inlet situated on the southwest corner of the bay. It is in approximately 2 metres of water.

What are the initial fixes?

The following waypoints will set up a final approach:

(i) Lough Foyle North Channel Initial Fix

55° 14.155' N, 006° 53.700' W

One mile east of Inishowen Head and 400 metres northwest of Red Tuns Light (port hand) Buoy F1. R.3s. It is set on the 222° line of bearing of the Martello tower on Magilligan Point that leads into the North Channel.

(ii) Lough Foyle South Channel Initial Fix

55° 11.760' N, 006° 57.084' W

Midway between the shore and the southern edge of the Tuns Bank in the narrowest part of the South Channel in approximately 10 metres of water.

What are the key points of the approach?

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How to get in?

Cornashamma Bay is rocky bight set into the Inishowen Peninsula close outside the entrance to Lough Foyle and a mile to the southwest of Dunagree Point that is made conspicuous by its lighthouse.

Set just off the entrance channel to Lough Foyle, approaches to the area are detailed in the Foyle Port Marina (Derry City) entry.

Steer to approach Cornashamma Bay’s south western corner from the east. The inlet is fringed by exposed rocky reefs extending on either side about 100 metres apart. The rocks continue north-eastward from the shoreline with the northern side continuing foul underwater.

The key rock to observe is in the middle of the entrance. It is an unnamed rock with 1.2 metres of water over it at LWS. It should be clearly visible against the white sands of the bay’s floor.


Once past this covered rock, anchor according to draft in sand that provides very good holding. Land by tender on the beach.

Why visit here?

Cornashamma Bay, known locally as "Sweet Nellie", is a secluded beach and another anchoring opportunity along the eastern Inishowen shoreline.

Silver Strand, White Bay and Portnocker also provide access to this coastline but Cornashamma Bay offers the best protection of the anchorages outside of the lough. This makes it a useful passage anchorage for boats en route east or awaiting a tide to enter Lough Foyle.

What facilities are available?

Cornashamma Bay has no facilities and the nearest supplies can be found in the separately covered fishing village of Greencastle or the small town of Moville . An alternative is the small village of Stroove a few miles north of the village of Greencastle off the R238.

Any security concerns?

Never an issue known to have occurred to a vessel anchored at Cornashamma Bay.

With thanks to:

Bill McCann, Londonderry Harbour Master. Photography with thanks to Andrew Hurley and Patrick Mackie.