Protected sectors

How to get in?

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

Little Killary Bay is on the west coast of Ireland on the border of Counties Galway and Mayo about 40 miles northwest of Galway.

It is a narrow inlet off the Atlantic Ocean about 2 miles long which has a northwest facing entrance channel between Carricklea islet to the north and Carricklass rocks to the south, and the Rosroe peninsular seperates Little Killary Bay from its near neighbour Killary Harbour. The shores of the inlet slope steeply, the south side being covered with trees down to the water whilst the north side is barren with Mweelrea mountain towering over it.

Access is straightforward and the bay can be entered in any weather, and once inside it offers good shelter. The two popular anchorages are off Rosroe Point on the north shore which has no facilities, and at the head of the bay beyond Ship Rock northeast of Salrock House where you may obtain water from a well with the owners permission. This good anchorage with perfect shelter has 8 visitors moorings in a tranquil location.

Consideration should be given to the number of fish farms in the area; and although the access is straightforward caution is required in bad weather or poor visibility as there are quite a number of off-lying rocks and shoals and it is not recommended for a night approach as there are no lights.

Why visit here?

Little Killary Bay lies immediately to the south of Killary Harbour, their entrances divided by the Rosroe peninsular, and it runs in a south easterly direction for about 2 miles to its head at Salrock.

Illaunmore, a rocky islet connected with the shore by a sandy isthmus, forms the southern point of entrance, and care should be taken to avoid Bird Rock which is always above water, and similarly Carrickglass Rocks which stand between 7 and 15 feet high above the water at the entrance to the bay.

Fish farming is a major occupation of the area and care should be taken to avoid the salmon fishing nets and mussel cages, inside the entrance to the bay, whose positions are only approximately charted and are often moved without notice. An Adventure School also has its base on the southern shore of the bay and you may encounter several dinghies and canoes as you travel through. The area is also popular with serious climbers as the surrounding mountains offer severe challenges.

This tranquil bay has little in the way of facilities but is well worth a visit for its dramatic scenery.

With thanks to:

inyourfootsteps.com site research