Girvan is a small fishing harbour that has the facilities to cope with a few visiting yachts or motorboats. It could be useful as a stopover, or if planning to have a sail around Ailsa Craig, 8 miles offshore. This spectacular island is the plug of an extinct volcano and now a bird sanctuary.

Horticulturists on board will find that Girvan is very proud of it's floral displays, while the small town can provide all the day-to-day needs for the cruising crew.

The harbour is prone to changeable depths due to siltation deposited by the river, and entry and exit should be restricted to 3 hours either side of high water. ... read more

The coastal approaches to Girvan, if approaching from North or South are encumbered by various offshore rocks and reefs.  Keeping a good offing, and remaining outside the 10 m depth contour will clear all this, including the Girvan Patch with 1.7m, lying to the SW of the harbourmouth. (see approach chart).

Onshore winds will cause big seas in the shallow entrance, therefore tidal timing in these conditions is more important, leave it closer to high water, three hours either side maximum.

In calm settled conditions obviously there is more leeway, and in severe onshore conditions it is best given a miss altogether. Loch Ryan although 20 miles away to the south can offer ease of entry and shelter in these conditions. ... read more

Best seen by looking at the photo gallery, visiting yacht or motorboats are normally moored on the single pontoon, or alongside the south side of the screen jetty, having gone past the lifeboat. ... read more