River Blackwater, Cappoquin: High water is 1 hours and 10 minutes after high water at Cobh
Youghal: High water is 6 minutes after high water at Cobh
Cobh: Cobh is a standard port.
Kinsale: High water is 12 minutes before high water at Cobh
Courtmacsherry: High water is 18 minutes before high water at Cobh
Castle Haven: High water is 28 minutes before high water at Cobh
Youghal Bay: Away from the coast in the middle of the Bay: The east south-east going stream begins at at high water at Cobh. The west north-west going stream begins at 6 hours and 30 minutes before high water at Cobh. The flow reaches a speed of 1 knots at springs. In general, the streams are rotary clockwise, rarely exceeding 1 knot. The tidal streams run strongly over the bar, which is around 1 km south of the river entrance.
Youghal Harbour: South of Ferry Point: The north going stream begins at 4 hours and 45 minutes before high water at Cobh. The south going stream begins at 30 minutes after high water at Cobh. The north going stream reaches a speed of 2.6 knots at springs. The south going stream reaches a speed of 3 knots at springs.
Youghal Harbour, Ferry Point: The tide flows south and north. The south going stream reaches a speed of 2.5 knots at springs. The north going stream reaches a speed of 2 knots at springs. A similar stream is experienced north of the Point.
Youghal Harbour, Eddy south of Ferry Point: An eddy forms behind the Point during the south-going stream.
Between Capel Island and Knockdown Head: The north north-east going stream begins at 6 hours and 30 minutes after high water at Cobh. The south south-west going stream begins at at high water at Cobh. The flow reaches a speed of 2 knots at springs. The streams run quickly, forming overfalls.
Ballycotton Sound: Between Ballycotton Island and the islet just to the west: The north north-east going stream begins at 6 hours and 30 minutes after high water at Cobh. The south south-west going stream begins at at high water at Cobh. The flow reaches a speed of 2 knots at springs. Away from this point, tidal streams are minimal along this coastline.
Cork Harbour to Ram Head: Tidal streams are minimal inshore along this coastline, except at salient points.
Entrance to Cork Harbour: The south going stream begins at 10 minutes after high water at Cobh. The north going stream begins at 5 hours and 40 minutes before high water at Cobh. The flow reaches a speed of 1.5 knots at springs. The speed of the stream increases over Harbour Rock (mid channel by Roches Point) and Turbot bank (west of channel, by W4 buoy). The streams run around White Bay.
Cork harbour Entrance: Between Dogsnose and Rams Head: The south south-east going stream begins at 10 minutes after high water at Cobh. The north north-west going stream begins at 5 hours and 40 minutes before high water at Cobh. The flow reaches a speed of 2 knots at springs. The in-going stream splits at Rams Head, with part going up the Owenboy River. Just north, the stream splits again, one branch heading towards Cork and the other towards the channel east of Great Island.
Entrance to Cork Harbour, north of Dogsnose: To the east of the deep water channel: The north north-east going stream begins at 6 hours and 5 minutes after high water at Cobh. The south south-west going stream begins at 45 minutes before high water at Cobh. The north north-east going stream reaches a speed of 1.7 knots at springs. The south south-west going stream reaches a speed of 1.3 knots at springs.
River Lee East Passage: In the narrows at the north and south ends of the passage: The north going stream begins at 4 hours before high water at Cobh. The south going stream begins at 1 hours before high water at Cobh. The flow reaches a speed of 3 knots at springs. The time of the north-going stream has been guessed - it is only known that it begins some time after the north-going stream at the harbour entrance.
Eddy flow on early in-going stream, Cuskinny Bay to Marloag Point: During the early part of the in-going stream in The Sound, the flow is still southerly in the East Passage. This sets up a large eddy in the area of the Spit Lighthouse and drives an inshore current across Cuskinny Bay and along the shore to Marloag Point.
Cobh Road: The east north-east going stream begins at 15 minutes after high water at Cobh. The west south-west going stream begins at 5 hours and 30 minutes before high water at Cobh. The flow reaches a speed of 2 knots at springs.
Paddy's Point: The east south-east going stream begins at 1 hours before high water at Cobh. The west north-west going stream begins at 5 hours and 55 minutes after high water at Cobh. The flow reaches a speed of 2 knots at springs.
Spit Bank: Tidal streams are weak over the Spit Bank, an area of shallows east of Haulbowline Island and north of Spike Island. Streams flow strongly in the channels around the Bank.
River Lee West Passage, Ballybricken point jetty to Haulbowline Island: The tide flows east and west. The flow reaches a speed of 2 knots at springs. The streams follow the alignment of the deep water channel.
River Lee West by Monkstown: The south going stream begins at 30 minutes after high water at Cobh. The north going stream begins at 5 hours before high water at Cobh. The flow reaches a speed of 3 knots at springs. Eddies form behind the dockyard site.
River Lee West Passage narrows: Just north of Summer Point: The tide flows north and south. The flow reaches a speed of 2.5 knots at springs. Te flow speed drops to 2 knots by 1.5 km north of Monkstown.
River Lee West Passage by Passage West: The tide flows south south-east and north north-west. The flow reaches a speed of 2 knots at springs. This speed of flow is typical for most of the West Passage. The flow is faster for the southern 1.5 km of the Passage.
Off Roberts Head: The north-east going stream begins at 5 hours and 15 minutes before high water at Cobh. The south-west going stream begins at 1 hours after high water at Cobh. The flow reaches a speed of 0.7 knots at springs. This information is for around 2 miles offshore, streams may run faster near the coast.
Between the Old Head of Kinsale and Cork Harbour: The east north-east going stream begins at 5 hours and 50 minutes before high water at Cobh. The west south-west going stream begins at 50 minutes after high water at Cobh. The flow reaches a speed of 1.3 knots at springs.
Near Big Sovereign: The tide flows east north-east and west south-west.
Kinsale Harbour Entrance: The north north-east going stream begins at 6 hours before high water at Cobh. The south south-west going stream begins at 19 minutes before high water at Cobh. 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 2.5 knots at springs. The south south-west going stream can be more than 3 knots after heavy rain on spring tides.
Old Head of Kinsale: The east north-east going stream begins at 4 hours and 20 minutes before high water at Cobh. The west south-west going stream begins at 2 hours and 5 minutes after high water at Cobh. The flow reaches a speed of 2.5 knots at springs. Races form on both west and east-going streams. On both sides of the Head, the streams run continuously south. The race is separated from the Head, allowing a narrow passage for kayaks inside, but only when the conditions permit a close approach to the cliff. Caves pass through the headland where it narrows to a thin neck, providing an alternative to rounding the point.
Courtmacsherry Bay: Away from the Old Head of Kinsale and the Harbour, streams are weak in the Bay.
Courtmacsherry Harbour: The east going stream begins at 10 minutes before high water at Cobh. The west going stream begins at 6 hours before high water at Cobh. The flow reaches a speed of 3 knots at springs.
Seven Heads: The east going stream begins at 4 hours and 20 minutes before high water at Cobh. The west going stream begins at 2 hours and 5 minutes after high water at Cobh. The east going stream reaches a speed of 2 knots at springs. The west going stream reaches a speed of 1.5 knots at springs. The streams change direction at a similar time along the coast between Galley Head and the Old Head of Kinsale.
Clonnakilty Harbour: The north going stream begins at 6 hours and 10 minutes after high water at Cobh. The south going stream begins at 5 minutes before high water at Cobh. The streams are strong.
Galley Head: The east going stream begins at 4 hours and 20 minutes before high water at Cobh. The west going stream begins at 2 hours and 5 minutes after high water at Cobh. The flow reaches a speed of 2.5 knots at springs. A race forms at the Head.
Eddy to the east of Galley Head: A south-going eddy forms to the north-east of the Head during the east-going stream.
Eddy to the west of Galley Head: A south-going eddy forms behind the Head on the west-going stream.
Rosscarbery Bay: The east-going stream runs strongly south-east along the eastern shore of the bay, but the west-going stream is weak.
Glendora Harbour: The streams within the Harbour are weak.
Castlehaven: There is little tidal stream within Castlehaven, but the streams are stronger above Cat Island, the point with a ruin on to the north-east of Castletownshend.
Cork Harbour Radio: Cork Harbour Radio on VHF channel 12 monitors shipping movements in this busy harbour. For more information (and an annotated chart of the harbour) see the Port of Cork website.
Whitegate Oil Jetty: Approaching within 100m of the jetty is prohibited.
Belvelly Bridge: The bridge dries 2 m, but the channel is even shallower to the east. At Cobh: MHWS 4.1m, MHWN 3.3m, MLWN 1.3m, MLWS 0.4m. The tidal streams meet at the bridge, and paddlers circumnavigating Great Island should plan to be here at high water. A clockwise route is reccomended.
Cappoquin, River Blackwater: (SK 997 660) g Public slipway next to a playing field. Large parking area, with height restrictor. Roadside parking may be possible outside this car park.
Villerstown: (SK 987 593) g Slipway at boating club quay. Parking. The slipway is usable through at least the top 3/4 of the tide, below which launching here may be muddy.
River Blackwater, Newport East: (SK 983 514) g Parking area at road end by slipway.
River Blackwater, Stone Depot on N25: (SK 985 473) g Parking available in a large lay-by off the N25. Access to beach to the east of the lay-by.
Ferry Point: (SK 990 446) g Plenty of parking by slipway and shingle beach.
Callso Bay: (SL 013 430) g Small parking area at end of road by beach.
Youghal Front Strand East: (SK 981 428) g Several car parks along the beach.
Youghal Front Strand west: (SK 973 424) g Large car park by the beach.
Knockdown Head: (SK 964 371) g Parking spaces near the end of the road, from where it is a 120m carry down to slipway and beach, both sheltered by a breakwater.
Ballinwilling Beach: (SK 886 355) g Large car park by the beach, may have a height barrier.
Garryvoe Beach: (SK 869 348) g Large car park along the beach.
Shanagarry Beach: (SK 861 340) g Car park from which a ramp leads onto the beach.
Ballynamona Strand: (SK 854 333) g Car park at end of road, from which paths lead a short distance across the dunes to the beach.
Ballycotton harbour: (SK 867 313) g Limited parking - the best spot is likely just up the hill where the road forks. Launching is awkward, but possible on two slipways down narrow alleyways or by steep steps to a beach to the east. Cow Beach, just to the west, is likely a better option.
Ballycotton, Cow Beach: (SK 859 318) g Slipway reached by a narrow lane leading off the main road close to the Garda station and opposite the Barrack Hill road. Parking on the main road, and, apparently, in a small field by the slipway. If required, there is a car park 400m along the road west of here.
Ballycroneen Beach: (SK 789 299) g Parking on gravel in a field from which it is a 100m carry to the beach. May be a longer walk at low tide.
Ballybranagan Beach: (SK 772 296) g Parking at end of road from which a track leads to the beach. At low tide, rock may necessitate a long or awkward carry around or across rocks. Ballycroneen, just to the east, may be a better spot.
Inch Beach East: (SK 742 288) g Parking area at end of road by the beach.
Inch beach west: (SK 740 289) g Parking area by the beach
Gyleen Bay: (SK 730 288) g Limited parking down a narrow road through a village. Slipway and beach. Inch beach, just to the east, is likely easier.
Lower Aghada: (SK 725 345) g Slipway usable throughout the tidal range. Parking nearby, but this location can get very busy.
Glenmore Strand: (SK 707 361) g Small parking area by the beach, short carry over rocky sea wall. May dry to mud at very low water.
Cuskinny Bay: (SK 689 363) g Car park by gravel beach. Dries some distance, likely to mud at low water, probably needs at least 1m+ of tide.
Cobh, White Point: (SK 655 352) g Slipway (usable throughout tidal range) by picnic area, with a few places to park nearby.
Monkstown slipway: (SK 642 358) g Public slipway, with parking nearby, larger parking area just to the south.
Myrtleville Beach: (SK 660 281) g Limited parking on road down to beach, busy in summer.
Robert's Cove: (SK 645 241) g Large beach, which dries some distance at low tide. Limited parking near the pub, with more parking in a grassy field to the north (height barrier).
Rocky Cove, Carrigadda Bay: (SK 631 229) g Car park above the beach, from which a ramp leads down to the sand. The western end of the beach gives the best landing. Beware of Long Rock, a large drying reef just to the west.
Nohval Cove: (SK 592 211) g Parking along the roadside near the end of the road. An old slipway leads down to the cove to a launch among rocks. The cove is reasonably well sheltered.
Oysterhaven Activity Centre: (SK 554 200) g Ramps lead down to both ends of a sheltered beach. Very limited roadside parking may be possible.
Oysterhaven, coastguard station: (SK 550 191) g Small parking area by beach. Launch on slipway to the south side of the bay, by the coastguard station.
Summer Cove: (SK 511 202) g Slipway, adjacent to small car park, can be very busy. If you can find enough space to drop boats, there is much less busy parking available 200m to the south, up the hill.
Kinsale Harbour, Lower Cove: (SK 516 184) g A narrow road loads down to the Cove. It may be possible to find space to leave a car on the roadside near the end. Track leads down to beach.
Sandy Cove: (SK 492 178) g Slipway onto beach, adjacent to spaces to park.
Dooneen: (SK 471 145) g Possibly space to park a car or two at the end of a small road, by a little beach.
Old Head Pier: (SK 470 140) g Pier and muddy beach, 150 m of the Speckled Door pub. The ramp down to the pier is by a private entrance. It may be possible to park cars either side of this entrance. Alternatively, there is a car park opposite the Speckled Door pub.
White Strand: (SK 460 140) g Parking along the road that runs by the beach. There is a large car park at the north-west end of the beach, and another 150m south-east of where the road leaves the beach, but both have height barriers.
Garretstown Strand: (SK 449 145) g The road runs close to the beach. Parking along the road and at several car parks. White Strand, just to the south-east, may be quieter.
Coolmain Beach: (SK 391 151) g Parking and picnic area by south end of beach, also possible to park along the roadside from which a ramp leads onto the beach.
Harbour View Beach: (SK 382 156) g Car park by west end of beach.
Courtmacsherry Beach car park: (SK 368 143) g Car park with height barrier by beach at the east end of the town. Limited parking just west of here without height restriction.
Broad Strand: (SK 364 127) g Parking area at end of road by beach.
Blind strand slipway: (SK 372 116) g Slipway just easy of Blind Strand beach. Parking along roadside to the west.
Blind Strand beach: (SK 369 116) g Parking on a grassy verge along the roadside. A ramp leads a short way onto the beach.
Seven Heads: (SK 358 094) g The road leads down to an old pier on a rocky reef. There may be space to leave a car nearby.
Moloney's Strand: (SK 321 100) g A path leads from the road, through a gate to the beach. Parking possible along the roadside. Dries some distance at low water. Dunworly, just to the south, is likely a better option.
Dunworly: (SK 326 087) g Parking at a picnic area on the cliff top. A track runs 120 m down to the sea, or a beach at lower tides.
Ballinglanna: (SK 288 105) g A ramp off the road leads down to a slipway and a ramp onto the beach at its west end. The best place to leave a car may be in a small pull off above the east end of the beach, from which another ramp runs down to the beach.
Sheep Cove: (SK 268 106) g Small parking area at end of road, from which a track leads 120m down to the beach.
Inchydoney: (SK 246 110) g Large car park towards end of one-way system - height barrier, with one or two spaces outside. Either carry 100m to the west or 75m to the south to access beaches. It is possible to park and access the beach at the east end, but the carry down is steep and the parking more busy.
Dunnycove: (SK 225 070) g Slipway sheltered by small headland. May be space to leave a car nearby, or on the verge of the track that leads down to here.
Sands Cove: (SK 221 063) g Road runs down to a small cove. There may be space to leave a car or two near the road end.
Red Strand: (SK 202 060) g Parking area along the road by beach. Public toilets.
Long Strand: (SK 167 077) g Car park with height barrier across the road from the beach.
Ownahincha Strand, east: (SK 158 083) g Car park with height barrier. 100m carry over the dunes to the beach.
Ownahincha Strand, west: (SK 152 086) g The road runs along the beach. At some points, the fence is set back from the road, allowing easy parking on the verge.
Warren Beach: (SK 142 086) g Large car park with height barrier by beach.
Rosscarbery: (SK 141 082) g Slipway 200m before road end. Space to park at the pier at the end of the road.
Mill Cove: (SK 121 078) g Slipway at end of road. No obvious parking. There is a small area to pull off the road around 700m away, back up the road, turn left and drive a further 100m.
Tralong: (SK 104 078) g Slipway at end of track. Space to park a car.
Glandore Harbour: (SK 068 093) g Pier and slip. Roadside parking up the hill towards pub.
Keelbeg pier: (SK 058 086) g Pier with large carpark. Slip at east end, steps to beach at west.
Carrigillihy Bay Beach: (SK 063 064) g Beach and slip, probably parking for a couple of cars
Ardra Bay Beach: (SK 061 057) g Beach with very small amount of parking
The League / Reen Pier: (SK 032 060) g Beach with parking. Home to Atlantic Sea Kayaking.
Reen Pier: (SK 032 054) g Pier with a little parking
Castletownshend: (SK 028 055) g Pier and slip with parking
Castlehaven Cross: (SK 016 044) g Beach with parking for a couple of cars