Dalkey Sound lies between the small the mainland eastern extremity of Sorrento Point and Dalkey Island that forms the south-eastern extremity of the bay of Dublin. As the shore of the mainland is
steep-to and Dalkey Sound cuts about a mile off a passage between Killiney and Dublin bays, it is the normal approach used by inshore leisure craft. The sequence of description is south to north but it may be used either way with favourable tides.

Image: Michael Harpur
Why sail this route?
There are three main ways enter the southern side to of Dublin Bay, or for a southbound vessel to connect with the inshore passage which is the preferred route as far as Wicklow.- (i) Pass between Dalkey Island and the mainland via Dalkey Sound.
- (ii) Pass between Dalkey Island and the Muglins via Muglins Sound.
- (iii) Pass outside the Muglins, offshore and in openwater.

Photo: jnestorius cc BY-SA 3.0
The Muglins Sound
The much more straightforward offshore route, option (iii) detailed in the Dublin Bay to Rosslare

Image: CC0
This Dalkey Sound, option (i), although a narrowish channel that has unmarked dangers on either side, it is ample wide for leisure vessels to freely sail through and it presents a clear passage with a least depth of 8-metres through the fairway. It is also the shortest cut and all that is required is to simply keep about 100 metres off the steep-to mainland shoreline to traverse the Sound. All of these reasons make this the normal route for leisure craft passing along the coast.

Image: Michael Harpur
Favourable tides, however, are critical to pass through Dalkey Sound. Dalkey Sound streams can attain up to 2.5 knots and it is only when these are adverse that leisure craft are best advised to take one of the other two options.
Tidal overview
Today's summary tidal overview for this route as of Monday, January 18th at 14:56. In Dalkey Sound and the south part of Dublin Bay the tide turns about half an hour earlier than it does offshore. The northwest going stream begins at Dover -0600 (HW Dublin +0555). The southwest going stream begins at Dover HW (HW Dublin -0030).Southbound
(HW Dover +0000 to +0612)
Now
(Tidal flow )
Ends in 05:49:43
(Mon 14:34 to 20:46)
Northbound
(HW Dover -0600 to +0000) 
Starts in 06:02:43
(Mon 20:59 to 02:59)
What are the navigational notes?
Middle of Dalkey Sound, 53° 16.420' N, 006° 5.450' W
This waypoint is off Dalkey Island's northwestern point, to the mainland side of a centre channel path.
► Next waypoint: 0.39 miles, course ⇓ 162.08°T (reciprocal ⇑ 342.08°T)
South Approach to Dalkey Sound, 53° 16.050' N, 006° 5.250' W
This ¼ southwestward of the Martello Tower on Dalkey Island.

The below-listed waypoints will set up a passage through the sound and provide some guidance. The vast majority of the passage is made utilising eye-ball navigation.
Vessels passing between Dalkey and the mainland should prefer the mainland side keeping about 100 metres off the shoreline. The shore of the mainland is steep-to and all dangers are off the Dalkey Island side. A reef that extends to the northward of the island group has straggling outliers on both sides of it. Favouring the mainland’s steep-to shoreline side of the sound avoids all issues of the dangers.

Image: Michael Harpur

Image: Michael Harpur
The single issue with Dalkey Sound are the tides that run strong here. The tides wrap around the Killiney Bay and may be felt abeam on approach or exit south of Sorrento Point. Look out for overfalls caused by the reconnection of tide runs that wrap around the island in this location also. Other than that enjoy the ride.

Image: regienbb via CC BY 2.0
Align a central path of approach and keep well off the island as Dalkey’s southwest corner is foul. From beneath the islands southern gun battery, a reef extends 50 metres along the island’s western shoreline to about halfway along the coastline to the area of the Martello Tower.

Image: Michael Harpur
There is a drying rock scarcely awash close to the south of the landing steps near the ruin of the old church. To the north of the steps, another reef with 0.6 metres over it runs out 70 metres from the shore.

Image: regienbb via CC BY 2.0

Image: CC0
After this, there are several rocks such as Clare Rock and Lamb Island that are all parts of a large ridge extending north-westward from Dalkey Island of which some are only visible at low tide.
What is the best sailing time?
Sailing season for Ireland is May to September, with June and July offering some of the best weather. Nevertheless the incidence of winds up to force seven and above in June and July are on average two days each month. So you may be either held up or having a blast depending on your sailing preferences. Ireland is not subject to persistent fog – statistically complete days of persistent fog occur less than once in a decade.Are there any security concerns?
Never an issue known to have occurred to a pleasure vessel sailing off the Irish coast.With thanks to:
eOceanic
.jpg)
.jpg)
Add your review or comment:
Please log in to leave a review of this route.
Please note eOceanic makes no guarantee of the validity of this information, we have not sailed this route 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.