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Bray

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Courtesy Flag

Irish Tricolour

Waypoint

None Given

Charts

AC 1468 Arklow to the Skerries Islands; SC 5621 Ben of Howth to Wicklow Head; Imray C61 St Georges Channel

Rules & Regulations

None Known

Hazards

Drying Harbour

Tidal Data Times & Range

HW is HW Dublin – 0006; Tidal range figures are sketchy; best guess:- MHWS 4.1m MHWN 3.4m MLWN 1.5m MLWS 0.6m Tidal streams are up and down the coast with the ebb and flood through St Georges Channel (Flood starts about five hours after HW Dublin and the ebb about ¾ hour before HW Dublin)

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General Description

Contacts; Bray Sailing Club  VHF #11 (when racing)  tel no +353 (0)1 2860272   http://www.braysailingclub.ie/

This is a super little harbour about 1.5 miles North of the prominent Bray Head. The only chart information is a couple of small marks on AC1468 and you’d be forgiven for missing that.  The harbour is an extension of the River Dargle which flows along its Northern wall and the stream is outgoing throughout the tidal cycle. You’ll only be able to get in for a couple of hours either side of HW and, if you want to stop for more than lunch you’ll need to be able to take the ground. 

The Sailing Club runs the moorings on the South side of the harbour, so contact them if you want to stay a while. The Sailing Club is reported to be very welcoming towards visiting yachties and  Google maps has a lovely coverage of the harbour; try this link:-

Google Maps

Bray is only about twelve miles from Dublin, well connected by public transport (road and rail) so is a popular tourist venue with all the amenities that entails. Of particular note is the Bray Summerfest which takes place for six weeks in July and August when the whole town comes alight with funfairs, live music, carnivals etc. For more details see:-

http://www.braysummerfest.com/

All in all Bray is a great place to visit, it’s well sheltered in off shore winds though its entrance would be difficult in very strong easterly winds. So, if you can take the ground, don’t overlook this harbour. The best advice would be for you to contact the Sailing Club and make your number if you intend an overnight visit here. 

Approach

There are no problems close in, in the vicinity of the harbour but don’t....

.... come too close to Bray head because it sports a few off-lying rocks, namely the Cable Rock, Periwinkle Rocks and Crab Rock but they are very close in and would not normally affect the cruising yachtie.

When entering the harbour favour the South wall which, at the entrance, has the deeper water but as soon as you have entered switch to the North wall (where the river is running) and peg the current to one of the three landing stages that are on that wall.  The outflow is quite noticeable even if the tide is flooding and if there is a northerly set in the wind there are small overfalls where the river meets the sea.

Berthing, Mooring & Anchoring

There are landing stages against the North wall and you might be able....

.... to get alongside the South wall though there are not too many ladders. One of the landing stages has a pontoon but that is only for short stops while you can overnight on one of the other two if you can take the ground.  Usually one of the residents may be away cruising for a few days and you might be able to use one of the Sailing Club moorings but you should contact the Sailing Club to arrange that in advance; the harbour dries to sand so getting back aboard at low tide is not a problem (assuming you have a boarding ladder?). There may even be room to anchor fore and aft but again that depends on the Sailing Club.

If you arrive at Low Water (as is likely if you’ve come down from the North) you can anchor off the harbour to wait for water to get in, or even choose to stay at anchor outside but be aware that there will be quite a cross current to be negotiated getting ashore as well as the outflow from the harbour.

At the moment there is no information as to harbour Dues at Bray.

Facilities

Showers and toilets are available at the Sailing Club and you will have to ask there about the other facilities.

There are boat services and a sail maker in the harbour and water can be obtained from the Sailing Club compound.

Petrol and diesel will have to be lugged in cans from the petrol station on the far corner of the golf course unless arrangements can be made for a tanker to deliver diesel.

The hardware store can deal with refills for most Gas/Gaz bottles

Eating, Drinking & Entertainment

It’s a tourist town so you are spoiled for choice but a list of the more popular spots can be found at

http://www.yelp.ie/search?cflt=nightlife&find_desc=&find_loc=Bray%2C+Co.+Wicklow

Links

Your Ratings & Comments

7 comments
Update November 2022
Written by Don Thomson 3 | 25th Nov 2022
I reviewed these notes in October 2022 and am informed that there is a pontoon on one of the landing stages. That pontoon is for short stops for pick-up etc. The other two may be used for overnight stops as long as you can take the ground
UPDATE SUMMER 2021
Written by Don Thomson 3 | 19th Aug 2021
No changes
Update Summer 2019
Written by Don Thomson 3 | 11th Jul 2019
These notes were reviewed in July 2019. No changes were necessary.
UPDATE APRIL 2017
Written by Don Thomson | 20th Apr 2017
These notes were reviewed by Don in April 2017. I have found nothing to change. A new chart has been put in the chart gallery
Update 2015
Written by dononshytalk | 13th Apr 2015
These notes were reviewed by Don in April 2015 and no changes were made
1 of 1 people found this helpful
Update November 2013
Written by dononshytalk | 20th Nov 2013
Updated by Don Thomson on 20th November 2013. Thanks Donal for your advice below - we have incorporated it in the text. As far as we know there are still no harbour dues.
1 of 1 people found this helpful
Landing stages in Bray
Written by Donal Gleeson | 9th Jun 2013
There are landing stages on the north pier where boats can tie up. Approach close to the north pier after half tide.
The Sailing Club uses channel 11. There is usually moorings available as boats will be away cruising. Contact the sailing club to arrange. Visit www.braysailingclub.ie for contact details. The harbour is only recommended for lift keel and bilge keel boats. Fin keel boats may lie against the harbour wall or stands but will have limites time for entering and exit the harbour.
The harbour stores can fill the majority of gas bottles.
The DART station is nearby for easy access to Dublin.

When proceeding north to Dublin keep the tower on Killiney head in line with Bray Head to avoid the rocks near Killiney beach. When going south give Bray Head a good distance off and at the other side of Bray Head stay out to avoid Cable Rock.
3 of 3 people found this helpful
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