Portavogie: High water is 5 minutes after high water at Belfast
Strangford Lough: High water is 1 hours and 45 minutes after high water at Belfast
Strangford Narrows: High water is 1 hours and 45 minutes after high water at Belfast
Killard Point: High water is 5 minutes after high water at Belfast
Ardglass: High water is 10 minutes after high water at Belfast
Dundrum: High water is 5 minutes after high water at Belfast The quay at Dundrum does not dry, but the areas around it do.
Newcastle: High water is 10 minutes after high water at Belfast
Kilkeel: High water is 10 minutes after high water at Belfast
Off Ballywater: About 2 miles offshore, near the Skullmartin buoy: 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 30 minutes before high water at Belfast. The south south-east going stream reaches a speed of 2.4 knots at springs. The north north-west going stream reaches a speed of 2.3 knots at springs.
Ballyhalbert Bay: An eddy here flows south south-east starting 2 hours and 30 minutes after high water at Belfast.
Off Portavogie: The north north-east going stream begins at at high water at Belfast. The south south-west going stream begins at 5 hours after high water at Belfast. The flow reaches a speed of 2.3 knots at springs.
Between North Rock and South Rock: The north-east going stream begins at 30 minutes after high water at Belfast. The south-west going stream begins at 6 hours and 15 minutes after high water at Belfast. The flow reaches a speed of 1.5 knots at springs.
Outside of South Rock: Around 3.5 miles east-north east of Kearney Point: The north going stream begins at 15 minutes before high water at Belfast. The south going stream begins at 5 hours and 5 minutes after high water at Belfast. The flow reaches a speed of 1.4 knots at springs.
3 miles off Stangford Lough entrance: The east north-east going stream begins at 55 minutes before high water at Liverpool. The west south-west going stream begins at 5 hours and 20 minutes after high water at Liverpool. The east north-east going stream reaches a speed of 0.8 knots at springs. The west south-west going stream reaches a speed of 0.9 knots at springs.
Strangford Narrows by Angus Rock: The south south-east going stream begins at 2 hours and 30 minutes after high water at Belfast. The north north-west going stream begins at 3 hours and 30 minutes before high water at Belfast. The south south-east going stream reaches a speed of 7.6 knots at springs. The north north-west going stream reaches a speed of 4.9 knots at springs. Tidal rapids form on the northern side of Angus Rock.
Strangford Narrows, north of Killard Point: The tide flows south-east and north-west. The south-east going stream reaches a speed of 4 knots at springs. The north-west going stream reaches a speed of 2.5 knots at springs. During the south-east going stream, with winds from any direction except south-southwest to north, a race extends from north of the Point and 1 mile south-east of Saint Patrick's Rock. The race is particularly strong with a south-easterly wind.
Strangford Narrows, west channel: Around 800m south west of Angus Rock: The tide flows south south-east and north north-west. The flow reaches a speed of 2.5 knots at springs.
North of Angus Rock: Between Angus Rock and the Meadows area of shallows: The tide flows east south-east and west north-west.
Between Kilclief Point and Dogtail Point: The south south-east going stream begins at 2 hours and 30 minutes after high water at Belfast. The north north-west going stream begins at 3 hours and 30 minutes before high water at Belfast. The flow reaches a speed of 5.5 knots at springs.. The streams are strongest on the east side of the channel. The streams begin earlier on the east side whilst it is slack in mid-channel.
Granagh Bay Eddy: An eddy forms in Granagh bay between Dogtail Point and Gowland Rocks (beacon) on both in and out-going streams.
Strangford Narrows, Rue Point: The tide flows south south-east and north north-west. The south south-east going stream reaches a speed of 7.2 knots at springs. The north north-west going stream reaches a speed of 7.8 knots at springs. This very fast stream extends from some distance north of the point to the narrows just south of it. Strong eddies and whirls form between Gowland Rocks and Rue Point. The most violent of these is 'Routen Wheel', a violent disturbance with whirlpools said to be 'a saucer shaped depression with a seething surface', which lies 500m south of Rue Point. It can be avoided by staying close to the eastern shore, or used as a play spot.
Strangford Narrows between Church Point and Portaferry: The tide flows south-east and north-west. The south-east going stream reaches a speed of 5 knots at springs. The north-west going stream reaches a speed of 6.5 knots at springs. By Walter Rocks (600m north-west of Portaferry slipway), the north-west going stream tends to keep to the east side of the channel.
Strangford Harbour, inside Swan Island: An eddy forms here, with the following flows: The south south-east going stream begins at 45 minutes after high water at Belfast. The north north-west going stream begins at 2 hours and 45 minutes after high water at Belfast.
Portaferry pier eddy: In the area around the pier an eddy forms with tidal streams in either direction.
Strangford Narrows off Audley's Point: The south-east going stream begins at 2 hours and 30 minutes after high water at Belfast. The north-west going stream begins at 3 hours and 30 minutes before high water at Belfast. The flow reaches a speed of 4.5 knots at springs.
South end of Strangford Lough: The tide flows south-east and north-west. The south-east going stream reaches a speed of 1 knots at springs. The north-west going stream reaches a speed of 2 knots at springs. The stream runs from Strangford Narrows to Don O'Neill (Dunnyneill) Island. The area to the south-west has little tidal stream.
South west corner of Strangford Lough: South west of the stream running from Strangford Narrows to Don O'Neill (Dunneyneill) Island, there is much less tidal stream.
East of Don O'Neill (Dunneyneill) Island: Near Limestone Rock: The tide flows north north-east and south south-west. The flow reaches a speed of 2 knots at springs.
The Dorn: The tides run at up to 2.5 knots in and out of an enclosed bay by Castle Hill, near Ardkeen. A waterfall like feature forms 1 to 2 hours after high water.
Between Long Sheelagh and Craigyouran: Between these drying reefs, both marked by cardinals, in the main channel east of Islandmore: The tide flows north and south. The flow reaches a speed of 2 knots at springs.
Ringhaddy Sound: The tide flows north north-east and south south-west. The flow reaches a speed of 2 knots at springs.
Main channel by Rainey Island: The tide flows north and south. The flow reaches a speed of 1.5 knots at springs.
Ballydorn, channels around Rainey Island: The tide flows east south-east and west north-west. The flow reaches a speed of 3 knots at springs. The flow may reach 5 knots in places and provides a good place to introduce paddlers to moving water.
Main channel, east of north end of Reagh Island: The tide flows south-east and north-west. The flow reaches a speed of 1 knots at springs.
Inshore of Guns Island: The tide flows north north-east and south south-west. The flow reaches a speed of 2 knots at springs.
St. John's Point to Killard Point: The north-east going stream begins at 5 hours and 45 minutes before high water at Belfast. The south-west going stream begins at 30 minutes after high water at Belfast. The streams are weak.
Dundrum harbour entrance: The south south-east going stream begins at 20 minutes after high water at Dublin (north Wall). The north north-west going stream begins at 5 hours before high water at Dublin (north Wall). The streams are strong. The best predictions of tidal streams are the Liverpool tide tables. The in-going stream begins at low water Liverpool and the out-going stream begins at high water Liverpool. When the out-going stream opposes swell from the south or east, good surfing waves can form here.
Dundrum harbour, causeway bridge: A causeway with a bridge runs from Dundrum to the Murlough Natural Reserve area to the south. Under the bridge the tide flows at up to 6 knots. Eddies form behind the bridge stanchions, making this a good spot for moving water practise on springs from 1 hour and 45 minutes before high water at Belfast to 3 hours and 15 minutes after.
Dundrum Bay: The north-east going stream begins at 5 hours and 45 minutes before high water at Belfast. The south-west going stream begins at 30 minutes after high water at Belfast. The streams are weak and imperceptible in the middle of the bay.
Caringford Lough to Mullartwon Point: The north-east going stream begins at 5 hours and 45 minutes before high water at Belfast. The south-west going stream begins at 30 minutes after high water at Belfast. The flow reaches a speed of 1 knots at springs. The flow is less away from salient points.
Portaferry to Strangford ferry: A vehicle ferry runs regularly between Portaferry and Strangford.
Salt Island: The island has a bothy, bookable through the National Trust. Camping is permitted at the Bothy and the bay on the west side of the Island.
Ballykinler firing range: There is a firing range in Dundrum Bay - see chart. The seaward extents of the range are marked by 2 yellow buoys marked 'DZ'. When the range is in use, red flags are flown at the south and east entrances to the harbour. Note that flags flown at other places do not concern those on the water.
Whitechurch: (NW 749 231) g Car park, with picnic site next to the beach.
Ballywalter Harbour: (NW 749 220) g The harbour offers several launch options: a slipway on the south side of the harbour wall, a ramp to the north of this and a beach inside the harbour. Several parking options in the harbour area.
Ballywalter beach car park: (NW 748 218) g Large car park from which a track leads to the north, with easy access to the beach.
Ballyhalbert Holiday Park: (NW 757 171) g Entering Ballyhalbert from the north, turn right up St. Andrews Point Road (signed Ballyhalbert Holiday Park). then right again onto a small car park. Access to foreshore along main road.
Burr Point: (NW 773 160) g Large parking area with slipway, behind breakwater.
Portavogie, Anchor Park: (NW 772 129) g Large parking area by the beach.
Portavogie Harbour: (NW 772 123) g By the harbour parking area, slipways lead into the harbour.
Ratallagh: (NW 762 110) g Small car park by the main road with access to the shore.
Cloughey Park: (NW 750 101) g Large parking area with toilets, from which a sandy path leads 60m over the dunes to the beach (past a large stone post which can be seen from the car park).
Cloughey Playpark: (NW 748 100) g Small parking area from which a short track leads onto the beach. More parking further north, but with a longer carry.
Kearney: (NW 754 047) g Where the road meets the sea, there is space to drop boats and access to the beach. Leave cars in the village car park - you'll have passed the sign to it on the way in.
Knockinelder east: (NW 745 044) g Parking area from which it is possible to access a stony beach.
Knockinelder west: (NW 740 043) g Small car park from which the beach can be accessed. A small slipway just to the south may provide a little more shelter, but almost no space for a car.
Mill Quarter bay: (SB 697 974) g Lay-by, with access to beach just to the south of its south end.
Kilclief Bay: (SB 697 992) g Parking area with access to beach.
Granagn Bay: (NW 707 013) g Small layby and limited parking on grass by the shore.
Strangford southern slipway: (NW 692 031) g Large slipway, south of ferry terminal by parking area. May occasionally be used by ferries.
Strangford northern slipway: (NW 692 032) g Small slipway, with small parking areas nearby.
Portaferry small pier: (NW 699 036) g Pier and slipway. Limited parking along the road.
Portaferry Slipway: (NW 697 041) g Slipway just north of marina. Parking along the road.
Ballyhenry Island: (NW 681 057) g Small parking space by the road, access to water to the north or south, a short carry depending on the tide.
Lough Shore Road, north end: (NW 679 070) g Small lay-by and grassy parking space by the shore.
Kircubbin, harbour: (NW 710 164) g Small parking area by a pier, with a small shingle beach. Likely dries to around 2.4m.
Whiterock: (NW 639 157) g Gravel slip, cleared of boulders, free for public use. May be possible to park a car or two. Usable at all states of the tide.
Ringhaddy: (NW 646 123) g Shingle beach by old (private) pier. Adjacent to a few car parking spaces.
Killyleagh, Net Walk: (NW 636 065) g Old shingle slipway may be easier to launch from than the rest of the stony foreshore. Roadside parking nearby.
Killyleagh South Point: (NW 633 060) g Parking spaces and picnic area just before yacht club gates, access to foreshore.
Ballyhornan car park: (SB 689 954) g Car park, with height barrier, from which a track leads 60m down to the beach.
Ballyhornan Rocks Road: (SB 688 951) g Rocks road leads south from the village along a rocky part of the coastline. Slipways lead off the road. There is a small parking place just before a small sandy bay.
Ardglass Harbour Loft Slipway: (SB 651 913) g An old slipway may be found on the corner of Harbour Loft road, by the entrance to the drying fishing harbour. Whilst in not as good condition as the main slipway to the south, it may be easier to drop boats here if the town is busy, and the slipway is closer to the car park by the marina.
Ardglass public toilets slipway: (SB 653 909) g The main slipway in Ardglass is by the public toilets. There are places to park by the slipway, and a car park to the north by the marina.
Killough Harbour wall slipway: (SB 631 901) g Slipway behind harbour wall. Best 2 and a half hours either side of high water (dries about 3 m) - there may be a drag over mud outside these times. However, it may be possible to use the beach to the south at a wider range of tides. Space to leave cars on the broad road end, or on the harbour wall.
Killough, Point Road: (SB 631 895) g A small parking area has access to a shingle beach. May be a long walk at low tide.
Rossglass Beach: (SB 604 898) g Parking area by Our Lady Star of the Sea church by the beach. May be a 150 m walk to sea at low tide.
Tyrella Beach: (SB 560 905) g Large parking area 100m walk from beach.
Dundrum: (SB 500 918) g Car park with slipway. The water only comes to the slipway at high tide, but he slipway dries out to sand. May be a height barrier.
Newcastle Beach: (SB 468 868) g Large car park with ramp leading on to beach. Newcastle can be very busy in the summer months and it may be sensible to arrive early.
Newcastle Harbour: (SB 466 850) g The harbour has a slipway, but parking is rather limited. The harbour dries at low water, but it is still possible to launch and land on the stony beach to the south of the harbour by using steps over the harbour wall.
Glassdrumman Port: (SB 460 774) g Small parking place at the end of a track by a beach.
Annalong: (SB 455 752) g Slipway by large parking area.
Kilkeel Moor Road: (SB 393 699) g Rough parking area at road end, with a 150m carry down to the beach. May be a good option to avoid the busy port of Kilkeel.
Kilkeel Harbour: (SB 389 699) g The harbour has a slipway, with space to park a car and drop boats adjacent. Parking to the north-west of here, including the large Nautilus car park at the head of the harbour. The harbour is busy, and care will need to be taken launching and negotiating the narrow harbour entrance. VHF Channel 12 must be used on entry to or exit from harbour entrance to avoid collision.