The Celtic Sea & Pembrokeshire Coast cruise

Kilmore Quay - Milford Haven: 70 nm
Milford Haven - Waterford: 98 nm
Waterford - Kilmore Quay: 34 nm

Kilmore Quay
Kilmore Quay is a small rural fishing village situated in the corner of Ireland known as the 'sunny south east'. It is 22km from Wexford and just 19km from Rosslare ferryport.There are basic shop facilities in the village, a row of 200-year- old thatched cottages and a lightship that is now a maritime museum.The marina is safely tucked inside the harbour.There is good sea-angling off Saltee Islands, home to a gannet colony. If visiting, avoid disturbing nesting birds. The approaches from the east should be taken through St. Patrick's Bridge (between the coast and the North Saltee) and is the shortest course between Carnsore Point and Waterford estuary, passing possibly the oldest lighthouse in Europe- at Hook Head. For passages to and from Pembrokshire, shipping lanes run north/south in the vicinity of Tuskar Rock Lighthouse and Carnsore Point (and in between the Saltees there are strong tidal streams) and west off The Smalls.

Milford Haven
The outer approaches (avoid The Smalls/Barrels) to Milford Haven, pass a series of islands west of St. David's Head and Ramsey Island and further south are Skomer and Skokholm Islands that are nearer to the entrance of the haven and again have bird sanctuaries.The haven has 25 miles of navigable waterway and is one of the deepest and largest natural harbours in the world, offering shelter in all conditions. However note large tankers and the Pembroke Dock ferry also use the waterway which is patrolled by the port authority enforcing the regulations. All craft keep at least 100m away from tankers at jetties, at anchor or underway and other restrictive zones.This is for the safety of all and by informing Milford Haven Radio of your route in the haven. The haven has excellent anchorage off Dale, just inside the entrance to the left where the village has a beach, a visitor pontoon and facilities catering for sea salt visitors! Other places include West Angle and Gelliswick Bays. Further inland are the marinas at Milford Haven and neighbouring Neyland. Milford Marina is entered by lock gates and has all the expected facilities.The town is just over 200 years old and was founded by Americans to develop a port.Today visitors can enjoy water based activities and the annual Fire Day event. Only a few miles away is Neyland Marina and accompanying facilities with berths in two pontoon basins, the lower basin affording full tidal access, whereas the upper basin is restricted by a tidal cill. Neyland is also comparatively 'new' dating to 1856 when the famous engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel chose the town as a railway terminus. The upper reaches of the haven can be explored along the River Cleddau, passing underneath the tollbridge that links to the other side of the estuary near Pembroke Dock and is the main road to the beautiful Pembrokeshire Coast Park. For children there is a ten-pin bowling arena at Milford and the theme park near Narbeth.

Waterford
Waterford City Marina is set in the heart of Ireland's oldest seaport established by the Vikings as 'Varde- Fjord' and is famously known for its intricate cut crystal.The marina is on the 'most noblest quays in Europe' on the River Suir which flows to meet the River Barrow in Waterford estuary.Take a detour and sail up the Barrow to Ireland's most inland port at New Ross, the ancestral home of President J.F. Kennedy. From there, let the restaurant barges take you on a tranquil voyage upriver to St. Mullins, the start of the Barrow Navigation that links Dublin. Alternatively anchor off Dunmore East, an attractive fishing harbour village on the west side of Waterford estuary.