Dunmore East
52°09.0'N 006°59.9'W · Dunmore East (Waterford Harbour entrance) (0nm)
3–7m
Depth
Good
Holding
80m
Alarm radius
Moderate
Crowd level
Dunmore East is a charming fishing village at the entrance to Waterford Harbour — one of Ireland's most photogenic working harbours, with characteristic thatched white cottages clinging to the hillsides above the harbour. The village is one of the most visited on the SE Irish coast, with excellent seafood restaurants, friendly pubs and a beautiful clifftop walk to the lighthouse. Dunmore East is a key arrival and departure port for yachts crossing from Wales (Milford Haven is 55nm SE) and the traditional first stop for Dublin-bound yachts coming from the south. The Haven Walks (cliff path) offer outstanding views over Hook Head and the approaches to Waterford.
Best Months
Anchor Zones
Dunmore East — harbour anchorage
Good3–7m · Alarm: 80m
Anchor in 3–6m (CD) in the bay east of the harbour wall, clear of the fishing vessel berths and the Waterford Harbour approach channel. Sand and mud — good holding. The harbour wall provides shelter from the W. Exposed to the SE and NW in strong conditions. Tidal range approximately 2.0–2.5m springs (modest, Irish Sea tides). Active fishing port — fishing vessels have priority at all times.
Setting Your Anchor Alarm
80m radius for the harbour. The modest 2.5m tidal range makes this less demanding than many UK/Ireland anchorages. The harbour wall provides W/SW shelter but SE and NW remain exposed. In strong SE the anchorage can become uncomfortable — move into the harbour or up the Waterford estuary for better protection.
Recommended radius: 80m
Hazards & Warnings
- !Active deep-sea fishing fleet — very large trawlers operate from Dunmore East; give way at all times
- !Waterford Harbour commercial traffic passes the entrance — monitor VHF Ch 12 for port traffic
- !SE exposure — in strong SE conditions the anchorage is exposed; the inner harbour may not have space for visiting yachts
- !Tidal streams off Hook Head (3nm S) reach 4 kt at springs — time departure/arrival carefully
Skipper's Tips
- ✓The Strand Inn is one of the finest seafood restaurants in the SE of Ireland — book ahead for weekend evenings in summer; the whole local crab and Dunmore Bay fish is exceptional
- ✓The Hook Peninsula and Hook Lighthouse (4nm south) is Ireland's oldest working lighthouse (12th century); accessible by car or by coastal path
- ✓Dunmore East is one of the most reliable ports for crossing to/from Wales — the Milford Haven approach (55nm SE) is straightforward in settled conditions
- ✓For Waterford City — take the bus or hire a car from Dunmore East (15km); Waterford is one of Ireland's most historically interesting cities
Facilities
Anchoring Rules
- Permit:
- Not required
- Fee:
- Free
- Restrictions:
- Active fishing port — fishing vessels have absolute priority; keep clear of berths and pier approaches at all times. The Waterford Harbour approach channel passes close by — monitor commercial vessel movements on VHF Ch 12.
Sleep Safely at Dunmore East
Set your anchor alarm to 80m. UK tidal ranges mean your boat swings — Safe Anchor Alarm keeps watch through the night.
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