Moore’s Point is located on the northeast coast of Ireland within Strangford Lough’s southwestern corner and in the Quoile River estuary. It offers a very good river anchorage with excellent holding.

Inside the Quoile River, akin to many of the islands and snug creeks on the western shore, a vessel will find complete protection. Moore’s Point is a good anchorage for conditions from west to northwest. The Lough's enclosed body of water provides sheltered sailing in all weather, all tides and ample marks to make daylight navigation straightforward.

Keyfacts for Moore’s Point

Position and approaches

Haven position

54° 22.751' N, 005° 39.592' W

To the South of Moore’s Point.

What is the initial fix?

300 metres east of Town Rock off Killyleagh. This is a distinctive red cylindrical brick pillar marker lit with a sectored light, Fl(2)WRG.5s6M, leading between Barrel and Skate rocks.

What are the key points of the approach?

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What's the story here?

Moore’s Point, locally known as Lindsay’s Bay referring to the drying embayment close upriver, is located on the north bank of the Quoile River. The Quoile has good depths and good anchorages for its 2-mile course southwestward as far as Hare island where there is a tidal barrier. This anchorage is about 1 mile from the river mouth and along the shore immediately above Salt Island on the opposite side. It offers a river anchorage but with no landings on the immediate north shore where there is a privately owned jetty.




The anchorage offers ample depth and the ability to land at Delamont Country Park. Those intending on landing on Salt Island can cross to Brandy Bay which offers landings at all times and it is about five minutes walk to the Bothy on the southern shore. It is also possible to pass around to the landing point fronting the Bothy on the southeast side of the island. The small dilapidated stone jetty here was in the past used to land farm animals but it is today still called upon for landing on the island. It is accessible ±2½ hours of high tide but best avoided outside of this as the extensive mud flats at low tide can be treacherous.

How to get in?

Details of the approaches, tidal timings, the run up The Narrows and onward to Killyleagh, on the Lough's western shore, are covered in the Entering and exiting Strangford Lough route description.




The Initial Fix places a vessel off Killyleagh and the run up the Quoile River is then covered in the Quoile haven directions.




Salt Island will become readily apparent a ½ mile southwest of Green Island with Moore’s Point opposite. The small wooded sun house on the shore between Moore’s Point and Lindsay’s Bay serves to positively identify both.




Anchor according to draft and conditions anywhere to the west of the point where excellent holding is to be found on the river's edge.




Land on Salt Island or pass along the sheltered and land on the stony beach fronting Delamont Country Park which is marked by the sign for the Strangford Canoe Trail.

Why visit here?

Moore’s Point is a quiet 'get away from it all' river anchorage in tranquil natural surroundings. Although the immediate shoreline, with its jetty, is privately owned it does offer a choice of wonderful landings.




Southward is Salt Island which is owned and preserved by the National Trust and one of the many picturesque islands in Strangford Lough - see Salt Island (South) for details. More conveniently on the north shore, continuing upriver, it is possible to land on the shores of Delamont Country Park which is owned by Down District Council.



The park was once the demesne of a mansion that dates from the 17th century although a 1625 map shows an avenue leading to a previous house apparently on top of a drumlin with mature trees and deer. The present house was built in the mid-19th century on high ground with extensive views over Strangford Lough. It is today run as an outdoor education centre by The Belfast Education and Library Board and surrounded by a 200-acres of parkland. This features fine parkland trees, woodland belts, open pastures, rolling drumlins, a 'Rath' sited on Delamont hilltop and stone-enclosed clumps on the hilltops. The park is also home to the remarkable Strangford Stone which along with the mansion is visible from the river.




The Strangford Stone stands over 10 metres high and is the tallest megalith in the British Isles. It was quarried from Mourne granite with the mountains of its birth also visible on the horizon from the anchorage. The single piece of granite is 12 metres in length and weighs 47 tonnes. It was raised in June 1999, to mark the Millennium; one centimetre for each year, erected by one thousand young people from all over Northern Ireland. This landmark and the undulating grounds, that make it such an attractive site, make a walk in the park's relaxing atmosphere, an absolute must for any boat anchored here.




From a singular boating point of view, Moore’s Point is an ideal anchorage to acquire protection from northerlies. This is perfect for a vessel intending on visiting Delamont Country Park or a keel vessel visiting Salt Island during northerlies as the south side of the island dries. It is also a great place for those simply looking for a bit of peace and quiet in a natural setting watching the Quoile River boats going by.

What facilities are available?

There are no facilities at this river anchorage.

Any security concerns?

Never a problem known to have occurred at Moore’s Point.

With thanks to:

Brian Crawford, local Strangford Lough boatman of many decades. eOceanic would like to thank Quoile Yacht Club for hosting our survey boat during the survey of Strangford Lough.