Glenarm: High water is 15 minutes after high water at Belfast
Larne: High water is 5 minutes after high water at Belfast
Carrickfergus: High water is 5 minutes after high water at Belfast
Belfast: Belfast is a standard port.
Donaghadee: High water is 5 minutes after high water at Belfast
Inshore between Ballygalley Head and Garron Point: The flow is affected by inshore eddies within 1km of the coast: The south south-east going stream begins at 3 hours and 15 minutes after high water at Belfast. The north north-west going stream begins at 2 hours and 45 minutes before high water at Belfast. The flow reaches a speed of 2 knots at springs.
Around The Highlandman: The Highlandman (Highland Rock) is a drying rock a mile north of East Maiden lighthouse. The tide flows south-east and north-west. The flow reaches a speed of 4.5 knots at springs. A heavy race forms here.
Around the Maidens: The Maidens are a group of rocks with a lighthouse 4 north-east of Balleygalley Head. The east south-east going stream begins at 6 hours before high water at Belfast. The west north-west going stream begins at at high water at Belfast. The flow reaches a speed of 4 knots at springs.
Eddies NNW Maidens: Eddies forms behind the Maidens on the north-going stream.
Eddies SSE Maidens: Eddies form behind the Maidens on the south-going stream.
Off Ballygaley Head: Between the Maidens and the mainland: The south south-east going stream begins at 6 hours before high water at Belfast. The north north-west going stream begins at at high water at Belfast.
Hunter Rock: The south-east going stream begins at 4 hours and 45 minutes before high water at Dover. The north-west going stream begins at 1 hours and 15 minutes after high water at Dover. The flow reaches a speed of 3.5 knots at springs.
Across Larne Lough entrance: Around 1 mile north of the entrance: The south-east going stream begins at 6 hours and 5 minutes after high water at Belfast. The north-west going stream begins at 25 minutes before high water at Belfast. The south-east going stream reaches a speed of 1.4 knots at springs. The north-west going stream reaches a speed of 1.2 knots at springs.
Larne Lough entrance: The south going stream begins at 6 hours before high water at Belfast. The north going stream begins at 30 minutes after high water at Belfast. The south going stream reaches a speed of 1.5 knots at springs. The north going stream reaches a speed of 1.8 knots at springs. The flow drops to 1 knot or less by a post opposite Wymer's Jetty. The out-going flow persists offshore at least half a mile north of the north end of the channel. Streams are weaker on the east side of the channel and turn around 2 hours earlier.
Larne Lough: Tidal streams are weak south of Curran Point.
North west of Isle of Muck: An eddy forms during the second half of the north-going stream. Close inshore, a counter-eddy forms at 6 hours before high water at Belfast, which continues when the main stream turns south. As a result, close inshore the streams run as follows: An eddy forms here, with the following flows: The east south-east going stream begins at 3 hours after high water at Belfast. The west north-west going stream begins at 6 hours before high water at Belfast.
Off Isle of Muck: The south-east going stream begins at 4 hours and 30 minutes before high water at Belfast. The north-west going stream begins at 1 hours and 30 minutes after high water at Belfast. The flow reaches a speed of 6 knots at springs. Overfalls form 1.5 miles east of the island when the north-going eddy flow meets the south-going stream. A tide race forms off the south end of the Isle.
South east of Isle of Muck: An eddy forms during the south-going stream, extending up to 1.5 miles offshore: An eddy forms here, with the following flows: The south south-east going stream begins at 4 hours and 30 minutes before high water at Belfast. The north north-west going stream begins at 2 hours and 45 minutes before high water at Belfast.
Offshore of Island Magee: Around 3 miles east of the coastline of The Gobbins: The south south-east going stream begins at 6 hours and 15 minutes before high water at Belfast. The north north-west going stream begins at at high water at Belfast. The flow reaches a speed of 1.8 knots at springs.
North of Black Head: An eddy forms here, with the following flows: The north going stream begins at 6 hours before high water at Belfast. The south going stream begins at 4 hours after high water at Belfast.
North Channel, 6 miles south west of Portpatrick: The south-east going stream begins at 5 hours after high water at Greenock. The north-west going stream begins at 1 hours before high water at Greenock. The flow reaches a speed of 2 knots at springs.
Kilroot Point to Black Head: Eddies form to the east of Kilroot point, such that the inshore flow turns south-west earlier than the main flow in Belfast Lough: The north-east going stream begins at at high water at Belfast. The south-west going stream begins at 3 hours after high water at Belfast. These flows extend beyond Black Head.
End of Clogham Jetty: The north north-east going stream begins at 1 hours before high water at Belfast. The south south-west going stream begins at 6 hours after high water at Belfast. The flow reaches a speed of 0.9 knots at springs. Note that these flows differ from the inshore flows here.
Kilroot Point: The east north-east going stream begins at at high water at Belfast. The west south-west going stream begins at 6 hours after high water at Belfast. The streams are not strong, likely 1 knot or less.
Inner part of Belfast Lough: The streams in Belfast Lough are generally less than 1 knot. West of Grey Point and Carrickfergus, the streams are weak.
Victoria Channel and River Lagan: The in-going stream is weak, but the out-going north-east going stream reaches a speed of 2 knots at springs.
South shore of Belfast Lough, west of Grey Point: The streams are weak and irregular: The east north-east going stream begins at 15 minutes after high water at Belfast. The west south-west going stream begins at 6 hours before high water at Belfast.
Belfast Lough, Grey Point: North of the town of Helen's Bay: The east north-east going stream begins at at high water at Belfast. The west south-west going stream begins at 6 hours after high water at Belfast.
South shore of Belfast Lough, east of Grey Point: The flow here is affected by inshore eddies and is weak: The east going stream begins at 2 hours after high water at Belfast. The west going stream begins at 4 hours before high water at Belfast.
Middle of Belfast Lough: Near the safe water (Fairway) buoy, the streams are weak and rotary. To a first approximation: The south going stream begins at 5 hours and 50 minutes after high water at Belfast. The north going stream begins at 30 minutes before high water at Belfast. The flow reaches a speed of 0.3 knots at springs.
Across Belfast Lough entrance: Around 2 miles north of Ballymacormick Point: The south-east going stream begins at 5 hours and 10 minutes after high water at Belfast. The north-west going stream begins at 20 minutes before high water at Belfast. The flow reaches a speed of 0.9 knots at springs. The streams in the north channel are much stronger further offshore.
Belfast Lough, between Ballymacormick Point and Orlock Point: Around Groomsport and Sandeel bay: The east going stream begins at 2 hours after high water at Belfast. The west going stream begins at 2 hours before high water at Belfast.
1.5 miles NNW Orlock Point: The east going stream begins at 2 hours and 30 minutes after high water at Belfast. The west going stream begins at at high water at Belfast. The east going stream reaches a speed of 1.1 knots at springs. The west going stream reaches a speed of 0.5 knots at springs.
1 mile NW of Copeland Island: The east south-east going stream begins at 2 hours and 30 minutes after high water at Belfast. The west north-west going stream begins at at high water at Belfast. The east south-east going stream reaches a speed of 1.4 knots at springs. The west north-west going stream reaches a speed of 0.5 knots at springs.
Copeland Sound: The east south-east going stream begins at 4 hours and 20 minutes after high water at Belfast. The west north-west going stream begins at 1 hours and 15 minutes before high water at Belfast. The east south-east going stream reaches a speed of 2.4 knots at springs. The west north-west going stream reaches a speed of 2.5 knots at springs.
Eddy north of Lighthouse Island: An eddy forms to the north of Lighthouse Island during the north-going stream, such that there is no perceptible flow on the north coast of the Island.
Just east of Lighthouse Island and Mew Island: The north going stream begins at 30 minutes before high water at Belfast. The south going stream begins at 6 hours before high water at Belfast.
1.5 miles east of Mew Island: Here the stream is affected by the eddy along the coast to the south and a continuous eastward component of around 1 knot (see chart): The south-east going stream begins at 5 hours and 25 minutes after high water at Belfast. The north-west going stream begins at 35 minutes before high water at Belfast.
East of Copeland Island: Within 2 miles east of the island, the flows are affected by a north-going eddy: The south south-east going stream begins at 6 hours after high water at Belfast. The north north-west going stream begins at 3 hours before high water at Belfast.
Donaghadee Sound: Between Copeland Island and the mainland: The south-east going stream begins at 5 hours and 15 minutes after high water at Belfast. The north-west going stream begins at 45 minutes before high water at Belfast. The flow reaches a speed of 3 knots at springs. Streams may reach 4.5 knots in places within the Sound. A race forms across the eastern entrance to the Sound between Foreland Point an the southern point of Copeland Island.
Eddy near Donaghadee: An eddy likely forms behind Foreland Point on the south-east going flow.
Off Donaghdee: The south south-east going stream begins at 5 hours and 30 minutes after high water at Belfast. The north north-west going stream begins at 4 hours before high water at Belfast. The south south-east going stream reaches a speed of 1.2 knots at springs. The north north-west going stream reaches a speed of 1.3 knots at springs.
Between Ballyferris Point and Donaghadee: An eddy forms here, with the following flows: The south south-east going stream begins at 5 hours and 55 minutes after high water at Belfast. The north north-west going stream begins at 6 hours after high water at Belfast. This eddy flow is narrow near Ballyferris Point, but widens to 1.3 miles near Donaghadee.
Lagan Weir: The Lagan Weir is a barrage built to stop the river through Belfast drying at low tide. It is open approximately 2 and a half hours either side of high water at Belfast. If entering the river, paddlers should have already contacted Port Control on VHF 12. They should contact Weir Control on VHF 71 before crossing the weir. Weir control telephone: 028 9031 5304.
Belfast Port Control: Belfast Port Control transmits on VHF channel 12. It would be wise to monitor this channel if paddling near the main channels into Belfast, and paddlers entering the harbour itself must contact Port Control. Tel no: 028 9055 3014.
Northern Race: A race forms from around 0.5 miles east of Mew Island lighthouse extending north for 2 miles. It is formed by the north-going inshore stream meeting the north-west going stream across the entrance to Belfast Lough. It forms at 3 hours and 45 minutes after high water at Belfast and ceases 6 hours and 10 minutes before high water at Belfast.
Ram Race: A race forms to the east of Copeland Island and Mew Island, extending from around 0.5 miles east of Mew Island lighthouse to around 0.5 miles east of Copeland Island. It is caused by the north-going coastal eddy from the south meeting the main south going flow offshore. It forms at 2 hours and 15 minutes before high water at Belfast and ceases 30 minutes after high water at Belfast.
Glenarm car park: (NW 469 710) g Car park with picnic area, access to foreshore.
Glenarm harbour: (NW 474 711) g Plenty of parking options, especially near slipway to north-east of harbour.
Whitebay’s Corner: (NW 510 656) g Small car park by the sea. Shingle and boulder beaches, lacking in shelter.
Ballygally beach: (NW 527 628) g Access to beach by ramp opposite Spar shop. Large parking area beside and behind the Spar. Can be busy.
Ballygally Polar Bear: (NW 531 630) g Slipway with car park. Picnic table and resident polar bear.
Cairndhu Rowing Club: (NW 538 620) g Car park with slipway used by rowing club. Height barrier.
Carnfunnock: (NW 538 616) g Car park with height barrier. Bouldery beach.
Drains Bay: (NW 539 609) g Sandy beach opposite a car park with a height barrier.
Chaine Tower: (NW 561 577) g Car park near beach access just to the north of the Chaine Tower.
Ballylumford: (NW 568 570) g Slipway in harbour. Parking in harbour area or along seafront to the south.
Browns Bay: (NW 585 574) g Large car park with height barrier. Across the road, steps lead down to the beach.
Portmuck: (NW 608 567) g Large car park by harbour. It is possible to drive down to the slipway to drop boats, but the carry from the car park is short. Toilets.
Whitehead Boat Park: (NW 618 464) g Slipway, with plenty of parking nearby.
Carrickfergus, Fisherman's Quay: (NW 556 425) g Quay and slipway, with parking adjacent and across the road. Dries 1.2m or more.
Carrickfergus harbour: (NW 548 420) g Slipway at north end of harbour, with space to drop boats. Large car park just to the west.
Lough View Car Park: (NW 508 335) g Car park. Awkward launch over rocky sea wall. A 150m carry east may lead to a slightly easier bank.
Airport Road Shell Beach: (NW 513 334) g Car park by beach. Over half a mile to the sea at low water - best with a tide of at least 1.5 m.
Helens Bay west: (NW 578 372) g From the car park, a 250m carry leads to a small beach.
Crawfordsburn Beach: (NW 597 368) g Crawfordsburn Country Park has a string of car parks. From the furthest north, a carry of around 150m leads to the beach.
Bangor lifeboat slipway: (NW 636 362) g Lifeboat slipway adjacent to large car park inside harbour. Keep slipway clear.
Bangor, Long Hole: (NW 638 363) g Slipway into old harbour. Parking along the street, or at harbour just to the west.
Bangor, Ballyholme Park: (NW 645 363) g Two ramps lead down to the foreshore, one just south of the yacht club, the other at the north-west corner of the park. The foreshore is rocky - choice of launch point will likely depend on the tide.
Ballyholme Beach (Banks Lane): (NW 656 364) g Bank Lane leads down the the beach. Car park at the end of the road.
Groomsport Harbour: (NW 669 373) g Slipway at yacht club. Large public car park with toilets. Slipway is owned by Ards and North Down Borough Council and is free to use for kayakers.
Portavo Beach: (NW 698 360) g Parking along roadside from which a path leads to the beach.
Donaghadee, sailing club slipway: (NW 718 335) g Public slipway used by sailing club. Small car park by the slip, second car park, just across the road, up Moat Entry road. Slipway runs onto a large sand area at low tide.
Donaghadee Harbour: (NW 723 331) g Large parking area to the north of the harbour. From here a grassy area and adjacent beach can be accessed. At low water, the deep water channel leads out from the south end of this beach, by the harbour mouth.
Donaghadee, Commons: (NW 722 323) g Shingle beach, with a car park just to the north.
Ballyvester Beach: (NW 719 311) g Large car park with height barrier. Across the road, a path leads down to the beach.
Millisle, Lagoon beach: (NW 724 292) g Beach just south of the Lagoon. Parking areas surround a small park.
Millisle slipway: (NW 725 291) g Slipway with plenty of parking.
Millisle main beach: (NW 725 287) g Huge car park by beach.