Contacts There are no contacts; Ballywalter does not have a Harbour master!!

This is a very small harbour which dries at low water.  It has been included in this directory because it has been found to provide a useful place to stop and wait for the tide if crossing to the Irish Coast from Holyhead northbound.

In settled off shore winds it is possible to anchor off the pier head and either set off again at High Water to go further North (Glenarm would be in easy reach) or if your boat can take the ground go inside and rest for a couple of tides.  The harbour was built to service a nearby limekiln and was fairly busy as a port due to the proximity of Scotland over the North Channel.  That has died out now and the town is very quiet having only a pub and a few shops.

In the summer it is popular because of the beach to the south and once a year it becomes the focus of visitors to the Northern Ireland Game Fair held in the nearby Ballywalter Park. ... read more

Off the Skulmartin Rock the rates are up to about 2.5 knots springs and may be expected to funnel a little stronger through the gap between them and the coast. There are no reports of a counter eddy in the bay.

The approach is fairly simple. Aim to pass just to the North of the Skulmartin rocks and pick up a line with the Church Spire in line with the pierhead on a bearing of about 272˚T.  Drop anchor off the pierhead in about 4 to 5m where the bottom is sandy and provides good holding. ... read more