Ballyhalbert Bay and Harbour
At a Glance
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Contacts: As at Ballywalter there are no reports of a Harbour Master at Ballyhalbert (In fact the HM at Donaghadee covers this harbour)
Ballyhalbert Bay is another useful anchorage on the East coast of Northern Ireland. It has good holding in shelter from offshore winds and a small pier and slip which dry at low water. As soon as the wind gets any East in it there is a heavy swell in the bay which prohibits anchoring. There's not very much here; the pier is used by a few local fishing boats and the village itself is mainly residential apart from a holiday camp situated on a disused airfield a mile up the coast.
There is a Youtube video at
Ballyhalbert Bay and Harbour
Approach
There are no problems getting into the bay to anchor a cable from the pierhead in about 5m.....
.....holding is generally good. Strangers to the area would be advised to take a course outside the Burial Rock giving its South side a good offing although there is a narrow channel between the rock and the shore you need to know exactly where the deep water is to be safe.
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Waypoint
Charts
Rules & Regs
Hazards
Tides
Berthing
A smallish boat with bilge keels could enter here at high water....
.... but unless you have a special reason to stop here there's not a lot of point; at high water the Northbound stream is about to start and if you're waiting for the South bound stream you'll have to anchor off to wait for it in deep water!
Facilities
Ashore there is water near the pier and some shops. Regrettably the petrol station has closed.
What to Do
History
Local Business
Tide Information for
August 2026
Please note: It is the user's responsibility to ensure that the data is suitable for their intended purpose. VisitMyHarbour must not be used by vessels for navigation.