Holyhead is a harbour of refuge, accessible at all states the tide and in any weather conditions. Within, yachts and dinghies can feel safe in most wind conditions. In heavy weather, the outer approaches can be a little awe inspiring, with tidal gates at:

South Stack - The RAF helicopter has reported 60ft waves 5 miles NW of Stack, but that was in F10 winds. Typically,F6 wind over tide will create 10 ft seas, with overfalls and whirlpools.

Carmel Head - The seas are less indimidating, but more 'interesting'. In wind over tide F6, pyramidal waves will appear withut warning from depths to slop into a cockpit.

Skerries - passage is to the west of group, with 6 knot 8 tides and commensurate wave height in wind over tide conditions.

Under normal sailing conditions none of these gates will give a well found yacht any problems.

Within the harbour, only winds from Northeast cause any waves and F8 above that direction can make Sailing Club moorings a little - uncomfortable: Hurricane Charlie (F12 -F15 in harbour) did some damage, with an occasional yacht breaking free its moorings!!

The illustration above shows New Harbour, the area west of the Aluminium Jetty.

Irish Ferries (Ro-Ro and HSS) and the Stena (Ro-Ro and HSS) berth east of the Aluminium Jetty and do not present a hazard within the yacht harbour confines, or in the approach to the marina.

Holyhead Sailing Club has used the harbour for its dinghy racing programmes for many years, from premises which share an access road with the marina. Holyhead Marina, together with its associated Yard and engineering facilities, is based in the extreme SW corner (within the confines of the marina).

The Holyhead RNLI has a pontoon berth within the Marina for the ALB - next to the Fuelling berth, whilst the ILB is housed in premises within the site.

Holyhead Coastguard (MRSC) premises are situated on the promenade southeast of the Marina.

Position	53°19.8’N 004°37.1’W
WGS84 to OSGB	0'.01N 0'.08W

Approach

Give Holyhead harbour breakwater ½ cable clearance, passing to port of small (tiny) yellow (occasionally black!) can buoy. Keep parallel and as close as reasonable to breakwater inside harbour until sailing Club moorings are sighted ahead & to port. Beware TSS across harbour entrance.

Keep to starboard in the marina approaches.

CLICK HERE for entry details to the marina.

Dangers

Races and severe overfalls exist off South Stack, North Stack and Carmel Head, the latter extending into Holyhead Bay. No underwater dangers, but overfalls can be dangerous even to well found boat at the wrong state of tide and wind.
Avoid patch in harbour marked by two R. Can lit buoys and two G. Con. buoys. (Platters & Skinner rocks), close N of Ro-Ro terminal.

Shelter

Totally protected in all conditions, but north-easterly winds can create considerable lop on moorings. The outer berths of the marina breakwaters, whilst providing excellent visitors' berths may become dangerous in fresh breezes with northerly and easterly components.

Lights & Marks