How to get in?

The 'Erris Head to Malin Head' coastal description provides approach information to the suggested initial fix. Vessels approaching from the south should select the northeast bound sequenced description; vessels approaching from the north should select the southwest bound sequence; western approaches may use either description.

Why visit here?

Broadhaven Bay, Irish : Cuan an Inbhir, is best known for its importance as a unique marine habitat for many marine mammals and other marine life, as it incorporates several different types of coastal habitats ranging from exposed bedrock at the foot of the Benwee Head cliffs to sheltered mud flats at the upper end of the estuary. The bay was designated in 2000 by the National Parks and Wildlife Service as a Special Area of Conservation concerning Atlantic salt marsh, tidal mudflats, reefs and large shallow bays. Contained within an area that is relatively small, Broadhaven Bay and its inlet Sruth Fada Conn Bay represent possibly the only known area in Ireland that has all five species of protected, endangered and vulnerable animals namely, the common bottlenose dolphin, harbour porpoise, gray seal, common seal, and the European otter.

In the 16C during the era of the Spanish Armada, several of their ships floundered in the waters of north Mayo, and there are many stories of fortunes of gold and treasure trove being salted away by local pirates after looting unfortunate ships that tried to seek shelter in the bays from the rough seas. In more recent times boats are guided through the bay by the Ballyglass lighthouse which stands on the north western shore at the entrance to the bay, and those that do encounter trouble use the services of the lifeboat stationed at Ballyglass pier.

Situated to the north east of the entrance to Broadhaven Bay and a short distance from the high cliffs of Benwee Head are a group of jagged rocky islands known as the Stags of Broadhaven which rise steeply out of the sea to over a 100 metres above sea level. One of the rocks is entirely bisected by a long narrow cave, and the site is popular for visiting divers, sub aqua teams and canoeists.

About six miles from Ballyglass pier at the southwest corner of Broadhaven Bay lies the small town of Belmullet in the Barony of Erris, it is the largest town of the Mullet Peninsula and is the commercial heart of this area of Co. Mayo. It offers the visiting yachtsman an opportunity to restock with provisions as it has many shops including butchers and supermarkets, hotels, restaurants and pubs, a bank and post office, medical services, garages, and a local bus service. The quay which is on the Blacksod side of the town dries, and as access is narrow, tortuous and shallow, it is not recommended that yachts go in there. In the 18C Sir Arthur Shaen had a canal excavated which linked Broadhaven Bay to Blacksod Bay passing through Belmullet. Thereafter known as Shaen's Cut the canal was large enough for small boats to pass through, but owing to little development and lack of traffic the canal became choked up and by 1752 it was impassible and today is little more than a stream which dries.

In recent years Broadhaven Bay has been the subject of much controversy as it is the proposed site by Royal Dutch Shell for the Corrib Gas Project which involves the Solitaire reputedly the largest pipelying ship in the world laying an offshore section of extremely high pressure gas. To date permission for the development has yet to be approved.

Broadhaven Bay is an ideal place to drop into in bad weather having good access and shelter. Facilities in the area are limited but most that a visiting yachtsman requires is obtainable at Bellmullet reached by local taxi or a dinghy trip. Water is available at Ballyglass pier, and there are showers at the lifeboat station that visitors can obtain permission to use, and also a small shop for simple provisions at Barnatra.

What facilities are available?

Serving a population of about 1,000, Bellmullet has many shops including butchers and supermarkets, hotels, restaurants and pubs, a bank, post office, medical services, garages and a local bus service.

With thanks to:

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