This is the tidal counter and the run-up through the length of Carlingford Lough from the entrance up to the Victoria Lock, which can be reached by high water. Victoria Lock is located about 2½ miles above Warrenpoint at the head of the Lough and is the single lock at the seaward end of the Newry Ship Canal that leads to Newry's town basin approximately 3½ miles above.

Image: Tourism Ireland
Pilotage up to Warrenpoint is straightforward via a deep-water shipping channel that runs the entire length of the lough, making the port accessible at night or day in all reasonable conditions. Although well marked, access and piloting require good charts and visibility owing to exceptional currents in the entrance area, which attain 5 knots. Consequently, the entrance should be timed to be around slack water, and the vessel should be equipped with a reliable engine.
In addition to directions and waypoints for the deep-water shipping channel, the principal dangers in the area and the principal berths are highlighted to facilitate those who venture off the beaten path.
Why sail this route?
Nestled between the lower slopes of the Mountains of Mourne and the Cooley Mountains, Carlingford Lough offers boaters a stunning maritime environment. This picturesque expanse of water, extending eight miles northwesterly and one to two miles wide, provides diverse berthing opportunities that leisure vessels have long enjoyed. With its steep sides and deep waters, the lough is often compared to a Norwegian fiord. It boasts spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, which is steeped in history.
Image: Tourism Ireland
While sailing conditions are generally favourable, completely protected berths, with a well-marked, deepwater commercial channel running its length, diverse berthing options, and sheltered waters with minimal swell, navigating the lough presents challenges, particularly around tidal movements at the entrance to keep things interesting.

Image: Tourism Ireland
The lough's perfect combination of natural beauty, sailing infrastructure, and maritime challenges makes it one of this coastline's most attractive boating destinations.
Tidal overview
Today's summary tidal overview for this route as of Tuesday, February 18th at 09:03. In the entrance, the flood begins as set out from Dover in the timer or at about 5 hours 30 minutes before HW at Dublin and the ebb 10 minutes before HW at Dublin. At Cranfield Point, the tide rises about 4.8m at MHWS and 4.3m at MHWN.Currents are barely perceptible at Hellyhunter Buoy but the spring velocity in both directions in Carlingford Cut is about 3½ knots. The spring velocity in the entrance and outer part of Hoskyn Channel is about 2.5 knots in both directions, increasing to about 4.5 knots south of Haulbowline Rocks. This latter velocity is also attained east of Haulbowline Rocks above the junction of Hoskyn Channel and Carlingford Cut. The strongest current in the Lough is between Halpin Rock and Greenore where it attains about 5 knots at springs. Off Carlingford, above Greenore, both the flood and ebb run at the rate of 1½ knots at springs; in Rostrevor Bay, at the head of the lough, the currents are feeble.
Carlingford Lough
Out Going
(HW Dover +0020 to -0500)
Now
(Tidal flow )
Ends in 00:23:01
(Tue 02:22 to 09:27)
Carlingford Lough
In Going
(HW Dover -0500 to +0020) 
Starts in 00:09:01
(Tue 09:13 to 14:33)
What are the navigational notes?

The 8-mile-long length of Carlingford Lough makes for a beautiful expanse of water with many varied and completely protected berthing opportunities. Navigation is easy as there is a lighthouse in the middle of the Lough's entrance and the well-marked, regularly dredged, deepwater commercial channel's first marks commence nearly 2 miles too seaward of it. From there, it stretches the length of the Lough to Warrenpoint, carrying sufficient depth for commercial ships all the way.

Image: Graham Rabbits
Navigation is easy, as there is a lighthouse in the middle of the Lough's entrance, and the well-marked, regularly dredged, deepwater commercial channel's first marks commence nearly 2 miles seaward of it. From there, it stretches the length of the Lough to Warrenpoint, carrying sufficient depth for commercial shipping all the way.


Image: Sleeping Camper
Boaters should be aware of the Lough's strong tidal streams (up to 5 knots) encountered in its narrowish entrance, requiring careful navigation. The maximum tidal rates you can expect during the approach and the run up the Lough are as follows:
- • 1 mile outside the entrance streams are imperceptible
- • Buoyed approach channel 3.5 kn
- • East of the lighthouse 4.5 kn
- • Between Greenore and the entrance 1.5 kn
- • Off Carlingford 1.5 kn
- • After Killowen Point the tides ease and in the upper Lough the stream is feeble.
The key point to factor into any planned visit to Carlingford Lough is that it is very difficult for a displacement leisure vessel to enter or leave against its tides. Spring velocity in the entrance, around the Haulbowline Rocks, where it attains speeds of up to 5 knots. The area's surrounding mountains can cause sudden weather changes and particular care is required when this creates a wind-against-tide situation that produces short, steep waves.
Therefore, newcomers are best advised to approach slack water. As the slack water period between two tides at the Lough entrance is very short and only happens twice a day, possibly once in daylight, it may be best to stage the visit to the Lough by staying in a convenient local haven to set up an optimum time entry.
It is also worth noting that during northwest winds, the inlet is subject to heavy squalls that descend from the hills and, owing to the funnelling effect of the mountains, expect the northwest wind strength to be double what is forecasted. As such, during strong north-westerlies, Warrenpoint and Carlingford Lough Marina are the only places that will be comfortable.

Image: Tourism Ireland
Fish farming is widespread within the Lough area, and the locations are well-marked on the charts. However, Carlingford's farming is more orientated towards shellfish beds than fish cages, so they are more of a concern for anchoring than navigation.

Image: Michael Harpur
Finally, all vessels moving within the limits of Warrenpoint Harbour, above Starboard No. 27 Buoy which is 1 mile below the town breakwater, fall under the control of the Warrenpoint Harbour Master who requires the following:
- • Contact Warrenpoint Harbour Radio using VHF Channel 12 for permission to proceed prior to arriving at this mark.
- • Maintain a listening watch on VHF Channel 12 when operating within the Limits of Warrenpoint Harbour.
- • Do not transit under sail and take care not to impede commercial traffic in the Warrenpoint channel. Commercial vessels will be channel-bound, have right of way, and have no capability to manoeuvre.
- • Avoid crossing the bows of oncoming commercial traffic.
- • When the channel must be crossed this should be done as near as practicable to right angles. Warrenpoint Harbour Radio should be contacted prior to crossing.

Image: Michael Harpur

Seaward approaches are detailed in eastern Ireland’s coastal overview for Strangford Lough to Dublin Bay

Image: Eric Jones via CC BY-SA 2.0
On the shoreline, the entrance is situated between Ballagan Point and Cranfield Point, 2 miles to the northeast, and is almost entirely blocked by rocks and shoals that extend across the mouth of the Lough. The conspicuous 34-metre high grey granite Haulbowline Lighthouse stands at the centre of this.
Haulbowline Lighthouse - Fl (3) W10s 17M position: 54° 01.196’N, 006° 04.740’W
Close northeast of the lighthouse is the Carlingford Cut, the main entrance channel that the lighthouse marks. It lies between the foul ground off Cranfield Point and the Limestone Rock shoals extending out to Haulbowline Lighthouse. A fairway through the cut is dredged to a depth of 6.3 metres. It is marked by lighted buoys on each side and indicated by range lights.
The key point to factor into any planned visit to Carlingford Lough is that it is very difficult for a displacement leisure vessel to enter or leave against its tides. Spring velocity in the entrance, around the Haulbowline Rocks, attains speeds of 5 knots.
Therefore, newcomers are best advised to approach slack water. As the slack water period between two tides at the Lough entrance is very short and only happens twice a day, possibly once in daylight, it may be best to stage the visit to the Lough by staying in a convenient local haven to set up an optimum time entry.

Image: Graham Rabbits
It is also worth noting that during northwest winds, the inlet is subject to heavy squalls that descend from the hills and, owing to the funnelling effect of the mountains, expect the northwest wind strength to be double what is forecasted. As such, during strong north-westerlies, Warrenpoint and Carlingford Lough Marina are the only places that will be comfortable.
The complete course is 11.82 miles from the waypoint 'Hellyhunter' to 'Entrance to Victoria Lock' tending in a north westerly direction (reciprocal south easterly).
Hellyhunter, 54° 0.346' N, 006° 2.454' W
600 metres due east of Hellyhunter, a south cardinal buoy Q(6) +FL1.15s. From here the line of the entrance’s leading light beacons may be picked up.
► Next waypoint: 0.69 miles, course ⇓ 307.94°T (reciprocal ⇑ 127.94°T)
Carlingford Cut Channel Entrance, 54° 0.768' N, 006° 3.375' W
Between the fairway's No.1 & No.2 buoys in line with the entrance’s leading light.
► Next waypoint: 0.53 miles, course ⇓ 309.88°T (reciprocal ⇑ 129.88°T)
Carlingford Cut Channel Midway, 54° 1.107' N, 006° 4.066' W
Between No. 3 & No. 4 Buoys
► Next waypoint: 0.35 miles, course ⇓ 311.57°T (reciprocal ⇑ 131.57°T)
Junction of Carlingford Cut and Hoskyn Channel , 54° 1.341' N, 006° 4.515' W
Less than 60 metres south of the No. 5 Buoy and 400 metres northeastward of Haulbowline Lighthouse which stands in the middle of the entrance to Carlingford Lough.
► Next waypoint: 0.36 miles, course ⇓ 290.74°T (reciprocal ⇑ 110.74°T)