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

Inside the Quoile River, like many of the islands and snug creeks on the western shore, a vessel will find a host of totally secure anchorages. Moore’s Point is a good anchorage for conditions from west to north-west but it would place a vessel on a lee shore with easterly conditions. The enclosed stretch of water provides shelter sailing in all weather, all tides and has 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 are the initial fixes?

The following waypoints will set up a final approach:

(i) Quoile River Initial Fix

54° 23.614' N, 005° 38.195' W

300 metres east of ‘Town Rock’ off Killyleagh. This is a distinctive red cylindrical brick pillar marker lit QW. From here a bearing of 210°, passing Green Island to port, takes a vessel down the middle of the Quoile River.

(ii) Killyleagh Initial Fix

54° 23.573' N, 005° 37.537' W

Between Barrel and Skate Rocks that are marked by perches. It is set upon the useful transit marked on the Admiralty chart keeping Portaferry pier open upon Chapel Island.

What are the key points of the approach?

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How to get in?

Details of the approaches, tidal timings and the run up the Narrows to about a ½ below Strangford are covered in the Entering and exiting the Strangford Narrows route description.

Having entered Strangford Lough make for the Quoile River Initial Fix between Barrel and Skate Rocks that are both marked by perches. Barrel Rock which uncovers at low water and normally has racing Mark 4 close by lies to the north, and Skate Rock which uncovers at four hours of ebb and normally has a racing mark K close by lies to the south. A useful transit to pass between the Barrel and Skate rocks is available by looking astern on approach and keeping Portaferry pier open upon Chapel Island. The Killyleagh Initial Fix is on this transit indicated on the Admiralty chart between the rocks.

Once between Barrel and Skate rocks do not be tempted to cut directly to the river as the normally unmarked Riggs shoal is situated in this area. Continue on to the Quoile River Initial Fix or the area immediately before it if obstructed by moored yachts.

The Quoile River Initial Fix is 300 metres east of ‘Town Rock’ off Killyleagh. This is a highly distinctive red brick pillar marker, that looks not unlike a ‘Rook’ chess piece, and is lit QW. This waypoint places the vessel outside the mouth of the River Quoile. It takes a west-southwest direction from off Killyleagh to Quoile for a distance of approximately 2.5 miles. A bearing of 210° from the waypoint, passing Green Island to port, takes a vessel down the middle of the river.

From there you will see Moore’s Point opposite Salt Island so it is simply a matter of following the river down and then coming up to the point. Expect to find a No. 4 racing mark nearby where you will find approximately 1.2 metres at LWS.

Anchoring in a depth to your preference where excellent holding is to be found.

Why visit here?

Moore’s Point, locally known as Lindsay’s Bay, is a quiet 'get away from it all' river anchorage in tranquil rural surroundings where you can watch the Quoile River boats going by.

It also offers the ability to land at Delamont Country Park where a walk in the park's relaxing atmosphere, amidst rolling countryside, is a must. The 200-acre park has mature woodlands, open pastures, rolling drumlins, a 'Rath' sited on Delamont hilltop, and is home to the Strangford Stone.

Standing over 10 metres high the Strangford Stone is the tallest megalith in the British Isles and was erected to mark the Millennium - one centimetre for each year. The stone which was quarried from Mourne granite, the mountains of its birth which are visible on the horizon, is 12 metres in length and weighs 47 tonnes. It was raised in June 1999, by one thousand young people from all over Northern Ireland.

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.