Dun Laoghaire: High water is at high water at Dublin (north Wall)
Howth: High water is 10 minutes before high water at Dublin (north Wall)
Malahide: High water is 15 minutes before high water at Dublin (north Wall)
Balbriggan: High water is 20 minutes before high water at Dublin (north Wall)
Dublin, North Wall: Dublin is a standard port.
Skerries: High water is 20 minutes before high water at Dublin (north Wall)
Lambay Island: High water is at high water at Dublin (north Wall)
Braymore Point: The south-east going stream begins at 15 minutes before high water at Dublin (north Wall). The north-west going stream begins at 5 hours and 55 minutes after high water at Dublin (north Wall). The flow reaches a speed of 1 knots at springs. Away from sailent points, the tidal streams are weak between Skerries Islands and Drogheda.
Skerries Bay: An eddy forms on the north-going stream, such that the stream here runs continuously east.
Between Skerries Islands and Rockabill: The south south-east going stream begins at at high water at Dublin (north Wall). The north north-west going stream begins at 6 hours and 10 minutes after high water at Dublin (north Wall). The flow reaches a speed of 1.5 knots at springs. North of here, the streams are less strong.
Skerries Islands, off east end of Saint Patrick's Island: The south south-east going stream begins at 30 minutes before high water at Dublin (north Wall). The north north-west going stream begins at 5 hours and 30 minutes before high water at Dublin (north Wall). The flow reaches a speed of 2 knots at springs. The tide turns 10 minutes later at neaps.
Skerries Islands, between St. Patrick's Island and Colt Island: The south south-east going stream begins at 1 hours and 30 minutes before high water at Dublin (north Wall). The north north-west going stream begins at 4 hours and 30 minutes after high water at Dublin (north Wall). The flow reaches a speed of 2 knots at springs. Overfalls may form over the shallows to the west of St. Patrick's Island, where the speed may be a little faster. The tide turns 10 minutes later at neaps.
Rogerstown inlet narrows: The east going stream begins at 5 minutes after high water at Dublin (north Wall). The west going stream begins at 5 minutes after high water at Dublin (north Wall). The flow reaches a speed of 4 knots at springs. Limited information is available.
Between Lambay Island and the mainland: The north going stream begins at 4 hours and 30 minutes after high water at Dublin (north Wall). The south going stream begins at 1 hours and 30 minutes before high water at Dublin (north Wall). The flow reaches a speed of 2 knots at springs. Tide races form at all four corners of Lambay Island.
Eddy on east side of Lambay Island: On the main south-going flow, an eddy forms on the east side of Lambay Island running from Sunk Island to The Nose.
Malahide Viaduct: The tide runs swiftly over the weir under the arches, the flow being concentrated through 'Macker's Slide', a structure designed to create good conditions for swift water paddling. There are good conditions from 30 minutes after high water until 1 and a half hours before the next high water (the weir is covered close to high water). The slide works above a tide height of around 3.8m.
Malahide Inlet entrance: The tide flows east and west. The east going stream reaches a speed of 3.5 knots at springs. The west going stream reaches a speed of 3 knots at springs.
Off Malahide: The north going stream begins at 5 hours and 15 minutes after high water at Dublin (north Wall). The south going stream begins at 45 minutes before high water at Dublin (north Wall). The flow reaches a speed of 1 knots at springs.
East coast of Ireland's Eye: Within 300 m of the coast: The north going stream begins at 4 hours and 45 minutes after high water at Dublin (north Wall). The south going stream begins at 1 hours and 30 minutes after high water at Dublin (north Wall).
Howth Sound: Between the mainland and Ireland's Eye: The south-east going stream begins at 1 hours and 45 minutes before high water at Dublin (north Wall). The north-west going stream begins at 4 hours and 45 minutes after high water at Dublin (north Wall). The flow reaches a speed of 2 knots at springs. The north-west going stream may begin 15 minutes earlier.
East side of Howth Head: The north going stream begins at 4 hours and 30 minutes after high water at Dover. The south going stream begins at 1 hours and 30 minutes before high water at Dover. The flow reaches a speed of 2 knots at springs. The sea conditions can be rough here, particularly at The Baily and The Nose of Howth, especially if wind opposes the tide.
South of Ben of Howth: The east north-east going stream begins at 3 hours and 15 minutes after high water at Dublin (north Wall). The west south-west going stream begins at 15 minutes before high water at Dublin (north Wall). The flow reaches a speed of 1 knots at springs. The stream is likely stronger around Baily, where overfalls may form.
River Liffey entrance: The east going stream begins at at high water at Dublin (north Wall). The west going stream begins at 5 hours before high water at Dublin (north Wall). The east going stream reaches a speed of 3.5 knots at springs. The west going stream reaches a speed of 1 knots at springs. (Little information is available on the speed of the west-going stream, but it is reported to be weak).
Middle of Dublin Bay: The north going stream flows around the bay. The south-going stream forms an eddy in the north part of the bay and runs from Baily to Dun Laoghire and from there to Dalkey Island. As a result, there is little stream in the middle of the Bay.
South part of Dublin Bay: The south-east going stream begins at 30 minutes before high water at Dublin (north Wall). The north-west going stream begins at 5 hours and 55 minutes after high water at Dublin (north Wall). The flow reaches a speed of 0.5 knots at springs.
Across the entrance to Dublin Bay: The north going stream begins at 6 hours before high water at Dublin (north Wall). The south going stream begins at at high water at Dublin (north Wall). The flow reaches a speed of 3.3 knots at springs.
South shore of Dublin Bay: The south-east going stream begins at 3 hours and 10 minutes before high water at Dover. The north-west going stream begins at 3 hours and 15 minutes after high water at Dover.
Inshore of Dalkey Island: In Dalkey Sound: The south south-east going stream begins at 2 hours before high water at Dublin (north Wall). The north north-west going stream begins at 4 hours after high water at Dublin (north Wall). The flow reaches a speed of 2.5 knots at springs. The streams turn half an hour later at neaps. Streams are less in Muglins Sound to the north east of the Island. Overfalls form at the southern tip of Dalkey Island during the north-going flow.
Off The Kish Lighthouse: The north going stream begins at 4 hours and 55 minutes after high water at Dublin (north Wall). The south going stream begins at 1 hours and 5 minutes before high water at Dublin (north Wall). The flow reaches a speed of 2 knots at springs.
Ben Head danger area: A firing practise area extends out into the Irish Sea from Gormanston Camp. Along the coast, the danger area extends 3 miles north and south of Gormanston aerodrome, from just south of the harbour at Balbriggan to Bettystown. Firing typically takes place during working hours on 10-15 days per year.
Braymore Point: Options to camp on the coast around Dublin are few. Braymore point has been suggested as a useful stop to the north of this area, with sandy beaches and rough grass.
Dublin Port Radio: Port radio is on VHF channel 12.
Dublin Bay: Dublin Bay has busy shipping channels and traffic separation schemes running north-east and south-east of the safe water buoy in the centre of the bay. Anyone crossing this bay should be aware of these channels - see the Dublin Port website. Before crossing shipping channels, call Dublin VTS on VHF channel 12. There is a preferred crossing zone to the east of the harbour entrance between red buoys 4 and 6 and green buoys 3 and 5.
Dun Laoghaire: Port operations on VHF channel 14.
Bettystown: (SB 200 308) g It is possible to drive cars onto the beach and park. Less tidally dependent parking might be found along roads in town. Laytown, just to the south, may be easier.
Laytown Strand: (SB 203 287) g Parking along the seafront, with grassy area just to the south. To the south of here, a slipway also leads onto the beach, but parking is more constrained. Further parking may be found by heading south then west along Strand road - there are various public car parks and roadside options.
Laytown Beach: (SB 203 281) g South of the river Nanny, there is road with access to the beach with a car park near its end (height barrier). Quieter than Laytown itself, but the height barrier may make this location awkward.
Gormanstron station: (SB 215 240) g Road runs down to beach. May be space for a car near the road end, but there is a station car park nearby.
Balbriggan: (SB 236 208) g There is a beach adjacent to the harbour, reached by passing under the arches of the railway bridge. Possible to drop boats at the near end of the harbour wall. Nearby parking spaces and car parks with height restrictors. The harbour does have a slipway but this dries below half tide to mud.
Skerries RNLI slipway: (SB 283 177) g Slipway just to the north of the harbour pier. May be possible for a small group to drop boats nearby. Several car parks on the headland to the east, 200 - 400m distant. Be careful to keep out of the way of the lifeboat and the working pier - the nearby grassy park may be a good place to sort out kit.
Skerries South Strand: (SB 284 170) g Parking along South Strand with access to the beach. There will be a long walk to the sea at low tide.
Loughshinny: (SB 297 134) g Car park by the beach. Well sheltered by the harbour wall and suitable for groups.
Rush Harbour: (SB 296 107) g Small parking area at the south west corner of the harbour. Steps lead under an arch from the park just to the north onto the beach. At low water, the slipway on the harbour pier may facilitate a shorter walk, but there is little space to load a vehicle at the eastern side of the harbour.
Portrane, Tower Bay: (SB 283 070) g Good sized car park, from which a path leads 100m down to a small beach.
Malahide, Sea Scouts HQ: (SB 245 031) g Slipway on a sharp corner in the one-way system. Lots of roadside parking nearby.
Malahide Beach: (SB 253 029) g Large car park (possible height barrier), with 50m carry to beach. There may be a further carry of 100m or more to the sea at low water.
Malahide High Rock: (SB 263 016) g Roadside parking area. A gap in the wall just to the south provides access to a track that leads down to a rocky beach.
Howth Harbour: (SG 296 958) g Public slipway by lifeboat station. Plenty of parking.
Sutton, Strand Road: (SG 272 949) g Roadside parking by beach, steps just to the south of the parking area. Likely better at high water.
Sutton Dinghy Club: (SG 273 944) g Sandy beach by sailing club. The club has a small car park, and welcomes small parties of kayakers. This location is not suitable for large groups. The tide goes a long way out at low water.
Bull Island, middle of beach.: (SG 241 936) g 2 roads lead down to the beach from a large roundabout, allowing boats to be dropped at the top of the beach. Parking is not allowed on the beach, but there is lots of parking along the road north of the roundabout. Long walk to the sea at low tide. The south-west end of the beach may be a better access point.
Bull Island, south-west end of beach: (SG 229 921) g Parking on beach. Long walk to sea at low tide.
Dublin Harbour, Poolbeg, north side: (SG 221 908) g At the very end of the road leading to the Great South Wall at Dublin Harbour entrance is a small parking area. A slipway leads from here into the harbour entrance channel. Clearly, care must be taken to avoid shipping if using this access point. Small craft are obliged to keep as far to the south here as possible and not cross the main channel.
Dublin harbour, Poolbeg, south side.: (SG 219 908) g There are two small beaches with parking near the end of the road leading to the South Wall at the entrance to Dublin Harbour. This is only usable near high water as the tide goes out a long way.
Seapoint: (SG 229 860) g Several slipways lead to the sea near a Martello Tower, accessed down a cul-de-sac called Brighton Vale, which has a very small amount of parking. Likely very busy in summer.
Salthill: (SG 235 857) g Beach just to the west of Dún Laoghaire Harbour, usable at all states of the tide. Although there is a height barrier, there is plenty of parking. Access is via Harbour Road, the road that runs along the south side of the harbour, north of the railway line.
Dun Laoghaire Harbour : (SG 240 857) g Public slipway in south-western part of the harbour, by large car park. Be aware of harbour traffic if you use this access point monitor VHF channel 14, stay out of the shipping channels and consult the harbour information here .
Sandycove: (SG 259 847) g Beach / harbour with two slipways. Likely space to drop boats at disabled parking by slipway. On street parking to the east.
Bullock Harbour: (SG 263 843) g Slipway into harbour. Dries at low water. Roadside parking on west side of harbour, but the area can get busy at times.
Colliemore harbour: (SG 272 832) g Steep slipway leading down to harbour. Very limited on street parking near top of slipway. The harbour can be busy and the slip is not well sheltered. In the bottom third of the tide, some sand is exposed which permits a bit more space for launching kayaks. It is likely easier to launch from Bullock Harbour.