Protected sectors

What's the story here?

Salt Island is located within the Quoile Estuary just over 1 mile south of Killyleagh. It is a small island, about 0.4 miles long and 0.2 miles wide, lying in a northeast/southwest direction. It rises to 13 metres high at its northeast end and the island dries to the shoreline on its southeastern side at low water. Brandy Bay is a small indentation on its northwest-facing side which dries out beyond its points.

The anchorage is off of the points and on the edge of the Quolie River. Brandy Bay is attractive because it has deep water and, unlike other landing points that are subject to mud flats at low tide that can be treacherous, it offers landings at all times. 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.

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 after a ½ mile southwest of Green Island opposite Moore’s Point. Proceed to Salt Island steering for the centre of the points on either side of the small indentation of Brandy Bay.




Anchor according to draft off the bay where excellent holding is to be found. Land on the beach between its points.

Why visit here?

Salt Island is one of the many picturesque islands in Strangford Lough owned and preserved for future generations by the National Trust. Information on the island is covered in the Salt Island (South) haven entry that leads to the island's old stone quay.

From a boating point of view, Brandy Bay is an ideal anchorage to acquire protection from the southeast. It is a favourite location with the local boatmen planning on picnicking on the island as unlike any other part of the island it is accessible at all times.

What facilities are available?

There are no facilities at this river anchorage save the beach to land upon.

Any security concerns?

Never a problem known to have occurred off Salt Island.

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.