Isle of Man

Introduction

Times of high water

High water times all around the Isle of Man are close to those at Liverpool.

Douglas: High water is 15 minutes after high water at Liverpool

Port St. Mary: High water is 15 minutes after high water at Liverpool

Calf Sound: High water is 10 minutes after high water at Liverpool

Port Erin: High water is 14 minutes after high water at Liverpool

Peel: High water is 10 minutes after high water at Liverpool

Ramsey: High water is 15 minutes after high water at Liverpool

Tidal streams

The streams in the Irish Sea meet and separate at Maughold Head on the east side of the island and Contrary Head on the west side. The tide runs strongly off both north and south tips of the island. South of Maughold Head, the inshore flow is affected by eddies and runs southwest for around 9 hours of the tidal cycle.

Douglas Head: Inshore Douglas Head: The north north-east going stream begins at 6 hours and 15 minutes before high water at Liverpool. The south south-west going stream begins at 1 hours before high water at Liverpool. The north north-east going stream reaches a speed of 1.5 knots at springs. The south south-west going stream reaches a speed of 1.3 knots at springs. Further offshore, the stream turns south west at 3 hours before high water at Liverpool and the flow reaches 2.3 knots. The streams within Douglas Bay are much less, although strong streams may occur near the harbour pier during the south-going stream. Overfalls can form at the head and at Little Ness, 2 miles to the south west.

Santon Head: Eddies form inshore during the second half of the north-going stream, such that the north-east going stream runs for 9 hours 15 minutes and the south-west going stream runs for 9 hours 15 minutes. The north-east going stream begins at 5 hours and 15 minutes after high water at Liverpool. The south-west going stream begins at 4 hours before high water at Liverpool. The flow reaches a speed of 2.3 knots at springs. . Overfalls can form when the wind blows against the tide. Offshore the south-west going flow begins around the time of high water at Liverpool.

Off east side of Langness Peninsula: The north going stream begins at 5 hours and 45 minutes after high water at Liverpool. The south going stream begins at 4 hours and 15 minutes before high water at Liverpool. The flow reaches a speed of 2.3 knots at springs.. Rates may increase to 5 knots further out to sea. There are eddies inshore during the north-east going stream. A small race forms at the north-east corner of St. Michael's Island during the south-west going flow.

Eddies on east side of Langness Peninsula: An eddy here flows south south-west. The eddy runs during the north-east going stream, such that the flow inshore here is permanently to the south-west. The eddy flows west towards St. Michael's Island then south towards Dreswick Point.

Dreswick Point: The east north-east going stream begins at 6 hours after high water at Liverpool. The west south-west going stream begins at at high water at Liverpool. The flow reaches a speed of 5 knots at springs. A race can form off Dreswick Point and Langness Point which can become substantial in even a gentle breeze. The race cannot be reliably avoided by staying close inshore.

Eddy off Castletown Bay: An eddy here flows east starting 15 minutes after high water at Liverpool reaching a maximum speed of 2.5 knots at springs. The flow splits on the west side of the Langness Peninsula. One part goes north and then west around the Bay, although the flow within the bay is reported to be less than a knot. Another part runs south towards Langness Point, such that the flow is constantly south on the north side of the Point.

Bay ny Carrickey: The stream runs between the Carrick and the shore, circling around the bay. The east north-east going stream begins at 5 hours and 15 minutes after high water at Liverpool. The west south-west going stream begins at 1 hours before high water at Liverpool. The flow reaches a speed of 2 knots at springs.. Inshore streams are generally less than a knot.

Between Kallow Point and Spanish Head: The east north-east going stream begins at 6 hours after high water at Liverpool. The west south-west going stream begins at at high water at Liverpool. The flow reaches a speed of 2 knots at springs.

Calf Sound: The south south-east going stream begins at 3 hours and 45 minutes after high water at Liverpool. The north north-west going stream begins at 1 hours and 45 minutes before high water at Liverpool. The flow reaches a speed of 3.5 knots at springs. The flow may increase to 6 knots in some parts of the sound. The stream is divided by the island of Kitterland to the east and the drying reef of Thousla to the west (marked as a beacon on OS maps), with eddies forming behind the islands. The smoothest passage is often between the island and the reef, with the much shallower area between Kitterland and the Isle of Man (the Little Sound) being the best spot for playing in the race. Significant overfalls, boils and whirlpools can form in the Sound. Weather conditions can alter timings by up to an hour.

Burroo: At Burroo, the south tip of the Calf of Man: The east north-east going stream begins at 6 hours after high water at Liverpool. The west south-west going stream begins at at high water at Liverpool. The east north-east going stream reaches a speed of 3 knots at springs. The west south-west going stream reaches a speed of 5 knots at springs. Overfalls develop during the south west going stream.

Chicken rock: The east going stream begins at 6 hours and 10 minutes before high water at Liverpool. The west going stream begins at at high water at Liverpool. The east going stream reaches a speed of 3 knots at springs. The west going stream reaches a speed of 5 knots at springs. Races extend east of the rock during the east going-stream and north of the rock during the west-going stream.

Eddies to north and west of the Calf of Man: Eddies form along the west and north-west shores of the Calf of Man, such that the inshore flow is likely continuously to the south west and south here.

Bradda Head to Niarbyl: The stream runs almost continuously north.

Niarbyl to Contrary Head: At Nearby: The north north-east going stream begins at 1 hours and 30 minutes before high water at Liverpool. The south south-west going stream begins at 4 hours and 30 minutes after high water at Liverpool. The flow reaches a speed of 1 knots at springs. The stream decreases in strength towards Contrary Head, at which point it is very weak. The offshore streams split off Contrary Head, so that streams to the north run in the opposite direction.

Contrary Head to Rue Point: The north-east going stream begins at 6 hours and 10 minutes after high water at Liverpool. The south-west going stream begins at at high water at Liverpool. The flow reaches a speed of 0.5 knots at springs. Streams are not significant inshore near Peel, but may reach 2 knots of Jurby Head.

Jurby Head: The north-east going stream begins at 6 hours and 10 minutes after high water at Liverpool. The south-west going stream begins at at high water at Liverpool. The flow reaches a speed of 2 knots at springs. Streams are much less close inshore.

Eddy west of Point of Ayre: An eddy forms to the west of the Point during the west-going stream, causing turbulence where this meets the main stream. As a result, the flow runs continuously east from Rue Point to Point of Ayre.

Point of Ayre: The east south-east going stream begins at 6 hours after high water at Liverpool. The west north-west going stream begins at 30 minutes after high water at Liverpool. The flow reaches a speed of 5 knots at springs. Overfalls often develop here, but can mostly be avoided inshore.

Offshore, to the north of Point of Ayre: The east going stream begins at 6 hours before high water at Liverpool. The west going stream begins at 20 minutes before high water at Liverpool. The flow reaches a speed of 3.2 knots at springs.

Eddy east of Point of Ayre: An eddy forms south east of the Point during the east-going stream. A race forms where this meets the main stream at the Point.

Between Point of Ayre and Maughold Head: The south going stream begins at 5 hours and 15 minutes after high water at Liverpool. The north going stream begins at 3 hours and 45 minutes before high water at Liverpool. The flow reaches a speed of 1 knots at springs. Streams are stronger near the Point of Ayre and are said to be strong across the entrance to Ramsey Harbour.

Maughold Head: The north north-east going stream begins at 5 hours after high water at Liverpool. The south south-west going stream begins at 4 hours and 15 minutes before high water at Liverpool. The flow reaches a speed of 2 knots at springs. The offshore streams separate at Maughold head, such that the streams run in opposite directions to the north and south of this point. Overfalls form off the Head.

Between Douglas Bay and Maughold Head: The north north-east going stream begins at 6 hours and 10 minutes before high water at Liverpool. The south south-west going stream begins at 3 hours before high water at Liverpool. The flow reaches a speed of 2 knots at springs. Streams may turn around an hour earlier close inshore.

Notes

Douglas Harbour: Douglas harbour can be busy and it is prudent to contact the harbourmaster on VHF 12 or 01624 686628.

Access/Egress

Disc parking operates in some of the towns on the Isle of Man. Discs are available from vehicle hire firms, the ferry terminal at Douglas, Police Stations, Post Offices and local Commissioners' Offices.

Douglas Beach: (SC 392 773) g Roadside parking (24 hours max stay) along the beachfront.

Douglas Harbour South: (SC 386 750) g Public slipway. Parking nearby is restricted to short stay or vehicles with boat trailers only. There is a pay and display car park across the Parade Street bridge on the north side of the harbour a 500 m walk away. Contact the harbour authorities if using this slipway.

Port Soderick: (SC 347 726) g Parking area close to a small beach. Best avoided below half-tide.

Port Grenaugh: (SC 316 705) g Road runs down to the small beach. Limited parking on the verge.

Derbyhaven: (SC 286 680) g Large shallow beach - there will be a long walk to the sea at low tide. Parking on the verge is possible along much of the beach. It is possible to portage from Derbyhaven to Castletown beach using a 200m footpath.

Castletown Bay: (SC 279 677) g Two small car parks by the beach are reached through narrow tracks leading off the A12.

Castletown Harbour: (SC 265 676) g Slipway, with parking nearby on the north side of the harbour along Bridge Street. Busy and with limited space, it is likely easier to launch from the Bay to the east or south of here.

Scarlett: (SC 259 667) g Various options for parking near a shingle beach and small point

Bay ny Carrickey North East: (SC 239 686) g Where the minor road to the south joins the A5, there is a small parking area by the beach, with a large layby just to the west.

Bay ny Carrickey North: (SC 234 688) g Layby with ramp down to the beach.

Port St. Mary Lifeboat Slip: (SC 212 673) g Slipway accessed just to the left of the lifeboat station. Parking along the road just to the south or near the harbour office. Obviously, keep the slipway clear!

Port Erin: (SC 194 689) g Parking along the seafront by the beach.

Fleshwick Bay: (SC 201 714) g Small area to park by the shingle beach in this narrow Bay.

Niarbyl: (SC 211 776) g Limited parking near the end of the road, close to a small shingle beach on the south side of the point.

Fenella Beach, Peel: (SC 241 844) g A small beach, facing west, accessed along the West Quay. The beach has a reasonably sized car park, with a ramp leading onto the beach. The car park can get busy during the summer.

Peel Harbour: (SC 242 843) g A slipway runs into the Harbour from West Quay road, with a car park nearby. The carry from the Fenella Beach car park to this slipway is only slightly longer.

Peel Bay: (SC 244 844) g Roadside parking by the beach, with additional parking on the East Quay, just to the west. Car park a little further east around the Bay. Fenella Beach, just to the west, may be a less busy location to launch and land.

Glen Mooar: (SC 302 894) g A narrow road leads down to a parking area a 100 m carry from the shingle beach.

Glen Wyllin: (SC 309 906) g Small car park at the end of the road by the beach. At high water, the beach covers leaving a steep slipway, which can make landing tricky.

Kirk Michael: (SC 314 914) g Parking area at the end of the road by the beach.

Ballaugh Beach: (SC 336 961) g Parking area at the end of the road with a ramp onto the beach.

The Lhen: (NX 378 016) g Small parking area at the end of the road, 100 m from the beach.

Blue Point: (NX 393 026) g Parking area at the end of the road, 70 m from the beach.

Point of Ayre: (NX 468 049) g Car park by the shoreline just to the east of the Point.

Mooragh Promenade North End, Ramsey: (SC 451 962) g Parking on a small offshoot of the main road where it turns to meet the shore, with steps down to the beach.

Moorag Beach, Lake car park: (SC 451 955) g 100 m walk from the car park to a slipway onto the beach.

Ramsey Harbour: (SC 452 946) g Slipway leading into harbour at the north end of the road to the swing bridge. Bottom likely muddy at low water. Roadside parking nearby and swimming pool car park just to the north.

Ramsey South Promenade: (SC 454 945) g Roadside Parking along the Queens Promenade. Access to the beach likely easiest at the north end of Queens Promenade or via the lifeboat slipway.

Port Lewaigue Beach: (SC 470 930) g A narrow road leads off the A15 to a car park opposite a large white house. A ramp leads down to the shore from the road just short of the car park.

Port Mooar: (SC 487 910) g Small parking area at the end of the road by the beach.

Port Cornaa: (SC 473 878) g Rather limited parking at the top of the shingle beach, at the end of a narrow lane.

Laxey Beach: (SC 442 836) g Parking along the road that runs along the beach, with a car park at the north east end.

Garwick Bay: (SC 434 815) g Little is known about this possible access point. A road runs down close to the beach.

Groudle Bay: (SC 420 783) g Road runs through a holiday park to a car park by a stream. The beach is a 150 m carry to the south.

Suggested trips

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