Be sure to check out Reeds and / or the appropriate pilots for more detailed information and alternates, this is just an overview of likely candidates, but I have been to all of them.

To see my recent visits to each anchorage check out the "Labels" towards the bottom of the right hand panel, links below may not be comprehensive.

Update through Sept 2023 to include Harbours and Marinas also info on fuel & gas availability although this is not comprehensive as I don't need either that often.

Further updated during a boring winter 2023/4 to include some information on access to and from marinas. See my page Marina notes (opens in a new window) for some general tips and the context (handling of my boat) in which I comment.

The east cost of Ireland now has its own page.

The Isles of Scilly

Before venturing here you are best off with a good guide (The RCC Pilotage Foundation appears to be the "standard" work but The Shell Chanel Pilot covers a lot) and large scale charts. Not a place to be in a storm and in strong winds it may be necessary to change anchorage as the depression passes.

Keep an eye on weather systems across the Atlantic for a week ahead and you might save yourself some grief, as I did in 2021 avoiding Storm Evert that kept 2 lifeboats and a helicopter busy all night as boats dragged anchors and moorings with several going ashore, it was similar but less extreme with storm Betty in 2023.

St Marys - Hugh Town and Porthloo

Hugh Town has good moorings and facilities including two pontoons for tenders, but is very exposed to south westerly winds. Anchoring is possible off Porthloo, a fairly long dinghy ride into Hugh Town. Laundrette, serviced washes only, near the tourist information office (Porth Cressa beach) which has showers (key deposit required) if those on the main pier are not available.

Moorings are available for three different sizes of boat (length & weight), unfortunately this if often ignored, probably to try and save money, and boats can get very close as they swing. It does not appear to be advertised but the harbour masters office run a water taxi service but it may take some time as they use the boats for other purposes and I guess it will not be available when ships are berthing as the crews will be assisting. Mooring fees are collect by boat who will take your bagged rubbish.

Diesel by porterage or at the fuel berth, along side fuelling is limited by the tide and the top of the quay is a long way above the water with only a ladder up it, but with a suitable line I have lowered cans directly to the tender, tricky single handed, which saved using the stairs from the dinghy pontoons and a hundred yards or so of porterage along the bumpy quay. Fuel (petrol and diesel) is also available by porterage from next to the Laundrette but its a long way and is more useful from Porth Cressa.

A decent CO-OP plus a butcher, another grocery ship on the road to Porthloo but no advantage over the COOP unless you can store frozen foods. Things tend to be expensive and water may be in short supply. Lots of touristy places and eateries. Vodafone and O2 signals OK. Visited in 2021, 2022 & 2023.

Low tide at Hugh Town / St Mary's Pool. Pontoons for tenders
in the foreground, access is by steep often slippery stone steps.

The Porthloo anchorage, St Martins in the distance (centre)
Tresco left.

The lifeboat is on its normal mooring in the Hugh Town harbour, see the

pic of the harbour at low tide above in full screen.

St Marys - Watermill Cove.

A popular anchorage to wait in prior to moving on to Old Grimsby or St Helens pool or to cross Crow Bar but it is very susceptible to swell and small waves refracting round the islands. It is important to get as far in and as close into the western shore as practical. Vodafone and O2 signals OK. Visited 2023

Well out in the Watermill Cove anchorage.

St Martin's - St Martin's Bay.

Excellent anchorages on the north cost of St Martin's, well sheltered from the obvious wind directions. Vodafone and O2 signals patchy to none. Visited 2023.

The western part of the St Martin's Bay anchorage.

St Helen's Pool

Old Grimsby, Tresco from St Helen's Pool which is one of the best
anchorages but a long ride in the dinghy for services on Tresco.

Visited 2021

The South East Coast of Ireland

Baltimore

Rather a long way round if heading north but a good harbour and a few good places to eat and drink but very limited shopping. In a strong westerly anchoring at the western end of the harbour will be far more comfortable although if it is that windy you would not want to go to the village in the average tender. Moorings may be available and in season alongside berthing to a concrete barge. Vodafone and O2 signals OK.

From the eastern end of the anchorage the main entrance
extreme right, "Lots Wife" daymark to the left of it.
visible

Visited 2019 and 2022

Youghal

If sailing from The Isles of Scilly, Youghal (pronounced Yawl) between Cork and Waterford would be a good stop off (but it is essentially the same distance from St Mary's as Dunmore East). Once inside finding a good place to anchor could be tricky at night. Visited 2022. IIRC Vodafone and O2 signals OK.

On the leading line into Youghal before making a sharp turn to
starboard.

Kinsale

Unfortunately when I visited in 2022 the main marina in Kinsale was full pending a race round the Fastnet so I went to the Castlepark marina on the other side of the river. This is rather exposed to the SW wind but is safe enough, you are likely to be on an outside berth, others looked a bit tight but not seriously so. A very helpful manager came down for my lines without being asked.

Good toilets and laundry but no food or shopping on site or at the nearby pub (2022). A 10 Euro taxi ride into Kinsale.