Pawle Island is located on the northeast coast of Ireland, off the western shore of Strangford Lough to the east of Islandmore off the approaches to Ringhaddy Sound. It is a quiet and out of the way anchorage.

Tucked in between Islandmore and Pawle this is a very good anchorage. It offers excellent northerly and westerly protection but has marginal exposure to hard southerlies where it may become uncomfortable. 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 Pawle Island

Position and approaches

Haven position

54° 26.464' N, 005° 37.600' W

East of Eaglehill Point on the southeast side of Islandmore and Pawl Island, favouring the Islandmore side of the gap.

What is the initial fix?

This is on the Ⓔ track clearly depicted on AC 2156 and a distance of 1¾ miles from the entrance to Ringhaddy.

What are the key points of the approach?

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What's the story here?

Pawle Island is a small uninhabited 49 acres island located off the western shore of Strangford Lough close southwest of Islandmore. It is privately owned and no landings may take place above the high water mark without permission. Located on the opposite side of Islandmore Close to the resources of Ringhaddy Cruising Club, located in Ringhaddy Sound, a provides a remote sequestered anchorage in an area of outstanding beauty.

The anchorage lies between Islandmore and Pawle Island and was historically known as Sliddery Bay but now is often referred to as Pawle Sound. It offers excellent protection and holding.

How to get in?

Use the approaches, tidal timings, the run up The Narrows and onward to Killyleagh, on the Lough's western shore, as covered in the Entering and exiting Strangford Lough route description. Closer approaches are available in the Ringhaddy Sound entry. Break off the route and pass midway into the gap between Pawle Island and Eaglehill Point at the southern end of Islandmore. Slowly sound it as it shallows 100 metres in from a line joining the two points of the islands.



The best anchor area is relatively close to the shore where good mud holding will be found. Expect up to 2 knots of current on Springs.

Why visit here?

Pawle island, pronounced 'pole island', most likely took its name from St Paul. Small islands like this offered isolation from society to those seeking solace and a sense of being closer to god and they were in widespread use.




It would have been an ideal location for a hermitage offering ample food via fish traps and shellfish and a freshwater source that enabled self-sufficiency, along with island isolation.
In the recent past, the island supported two farms and one of these old houses remains on the southwest point, with the remnants of a slipway cut through the rocks on the beach.

It is owned today by a farmer who would prefer no unauthorised use but is reportedly open to requests to land. As the island is a very pleasant picnic location it is well worth seeking permission. Those who obtain permission should take a stroll to the top of the hill behind the house which offers a spectacular panoramic view of the southern half of Strangford Lough. Those who do not land can enjoy relaxing in the cockpit keeping an eye on boats coming in and out of Ringhaddy Sound.




From a boating point of view, this is a very pleasant out-of-the-way anchorage that offers very good protection in a beautiful natural setting. It may also be called upon as a tide-wait for Ringhaddy Sound or a place to avoid any discomfort experienced in the Sound with wind-over-tide during strong northerlies.

What facilities are available?

There are no facilities at Pawle Island. Visitors are welcome to use the amenities of water and power on the pontoons of Ringhaddy Cruising Club.

Any security concerns?

Never an issue known to have occurred at this remote anchorage.

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.