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Port Dandy on Copeland Island, the principal of the Copeland Islands group, is located in the Irish Sea off the northeast coast of Ireland. The island group is situated on the south side of the entrance to Belfast Lough and Copeland Island is the largest island and closest to the mainland. Port Dandy is a very small inlet on the west side of the secluded island where a vessel may anchorage for a maximum of two or three boats.
The bay provides good anchorage in the north through east to southerly conditions, but is exposed to all conditions with a westerly component and holding is not the best. Access is straightforward in daylight at any stage of the tide although a great measure of tidal planning will be required to operate in this area.
Keyfacts for Port Dandy
Last modified
June 23rd 2025 Summary
A good location with straightforward access.Facilities
None listedNature
Considerations
Position and approaches
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Haven position
54° 40.555' N, 005° 32.640' WThis is in the middle of Port Dandy inlet on the 2-meter contour.
What is the initial fix?
The following Port Dandy Initial Fix will set up a final approach:
54° 40.556' N, 005° 32.893' W 
What are the key points of the approach?
Offshore details are available in the northeast Ireland’s Coastal Overview for Malin Head to Strangford Lough 
and the Donaghadee Sound for local tidal optimisations.
and the Donaghadee Sound for local tidal optimisations. - From the north and east leave Lighthouse, Mew and Copeland Islands well clear to port.
- From Belfast Lough or the north there are no dangers beyond 150 metres from the shoreline.
- Approach Port Dandy from Donaghadee Sound fairway, or from due south, pay particular attention to stand clear of the very dangerous Rid Rock when rounding the island.
Not what you need?
Click the 'Next' and 'Previous' buttons to progress through neighbouring havens in a coastal 'clockwise' or 'anti-clockwise' sequence. Below are the ten nearest havens to Port Dandy for your convenience.
Ten nearest havens by straight line charted distance and bearing:
- Chapel Bay - 0.3 nautical miles SE
- Donaghadee Harbour - 1.9 nautical miles SSE
- Copelands Marina - 2.2 nautical miles SSE
- Groomsport - 2.5 nautical miles W
- Ballyholme Bay - 3.7 nautical miles W
- Bangor Harbour & Marina - 4.5 nautical miles W
- Helen’s Bay - 6.6 nautical miles W
- Whitehead - 7.2 nautical miles NW
- Ballywalter - 8.6 nautical miles SSE
- Carrickfergus Harbour & Marina - 9.5 nautical miles WNW
These havens are ordered by straight line charted distance and bearing, and can be reordered by compass direction or coastal sequence:
- Chapel Bay - 0.3 miles SE
- Donaghadee Harbour - 1.9 miles SSE
- Copelands Marina - 2.2 miles SSE
- Groomsport - 2.5 miles W
- Ballyholme Bay - 3.7 miles W
- Bangor Harbour & Marina - 4.5 miles W
- Helen’s Bay - 6.6 miles W
- Whitehead - 7.2 miles NW
- Ballywalter - 8.6 miles SSE
- Carrickfergus Harbour & Marina - 9.5 miles WNW
Port Dandy
Port Dandy is a narrow west-facing bay located close south 
Use the details available in the northeast Ireland’s Coastal Overview for 
Port Dandy and Chapel Bay on the opposite side of the arm
Port Dandy as seen from the west with Carn Point right
From the Port Dandy Initial Fix sound in due east to approach the inlet that is just over 300 metres away. Be vigilant not to be pushed off course by the tidal streams of Donaghadee Sound. Port Dandy’s sheltered waters lie close inside the small and narrow slot. 
The Port Dandy inlet
Port Dandy's beach
