Ardglass Marina — Days Out NI

What you can actually do here

First, the honest version: this is a marina, so the main thing you do is berth a boat. It has roughly 80 pontoon berths and offers all-tide access, which makes it a useful base or stopover for yachts and motor cruisers on the County Down coast. There is a slip available for trailer sailors, so if you own a kayak, paddleboard or small dinghy and have the experience to launch and handle it safely, you can use the harbour as a launch point. What it is not is a school or hire centre: there are no advertised beginner lessons, no kit to borrow, and no listed kids' watersports sessions run by the marina. Anyone wanting tuition or a guided trip should look for a separate, qualified operator and confirm details first.

Berthing marina All-tide access Slip for trailer boats Visiting yachts welcome Boat owners Ardglass harbour

Good to know before you go:

Watersports operators across NI run kids' summer camps, taster and try-sail days, RYA courses and seasonal sessions, but those are run by schools and clubs rather than by a berthing marina like this one. Any on-the-water session is weather and tide dependent, so always check the operator's own pages for current dates, bookings and prices before travelling.

What to bring

🩱Swimwear & a warm layerWear your togs under easy clothes; most places provide wetsuits.

🧺A change of clothes & a towelYou WILL get wet — dry clothes for after are a must.

💧Water and a snackYou will be hungry after all that paddling and splashing.

🎫Your bookingLessons and hire usually need booking ahead — have it ready.

Everything before you go

Type

Boat berthing marina and motorhome park (not a watersports school or hire centre)

What you can do

Berth your own boat; visiting yacht stopover; slip launch for your own kayak/SUP/dinghy if you are experienced and equipped

Public access

Open to boat owners and visiting craft; no advertised public lessons, hire or scheduled trips

Booking

Contact the marina office to arrange a berth

Age / ability

Not confirmed — no public sessions; any self-launch needs your own competence and basic swimming ability

Kit provided

No — bring your own boat/board/kayak and safety kit

Season

Open year round; on-water activity is weather, tide and swell dependent

Cost

Check current berthing and visitor prices with the marina office

Launches from

Ardglass harbour, with a slip for trailer sailors

Parking

Parking on site, plus motorhome stands

Address

Ardglass Marina (Phennick Cove), Ardglass, County Down, BT30 7SA

Questions

Before you go

Do I need to book?

Contact the marina office to arrange a berth

How much is it?

Check current berthing and visitor prices with the marina office

When does it run?

Open year round; on-water activity is weather, tide and swell dependent

Getting there

Ardglass Marina launches from Ardglass harbour, with a slip for trailer sailors. Parking on site, plus motorhome stands. Tap below for directions.

Directions on Google Maps Official website See it on our map

Nearby

Make more of the day

More days out around ArdglassSee what else is close by More water sports across NISurf, sail, kayak, SUP and more

The story

About the operator

Ardglass Marina, also known as Phennick Cove, is one of three major fishing ports in Northern Ireland and has become known as one of the safest small harbours on the east coast of Ireland after harbour improvements. It offers around 80 chain-fixed pontoon berths with all-tide access, open 24 hours a year round.

It is used by local boats and visiting yachts and acts as a stopover for crews running the Irish Sea coast or waiting on the tide to enter Strangford Lough. It is run as a berthing and mooring facility rather than a watersports tuition or hire business.