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Practical GuidePractical Guide – North Coast Sea Kayak Trail Introduction This practical guide has been designed by local experts to help you make the most of your next trip on the North Coast Sea Kayak Trail. The choices offered by this amazing 70 nautical mile trail can sometimes be overwhelming; you have so many places to explore in so little time. This inside knowledge will make your decision making so much easier. Planning a Trip Suitable For: The North Coast Sea Kayak Trail as the name suggests is more suitable for sea kayakers rather than open canoes or general purpose kayaks. Although there is plenty of moderate paddling available, it should be highlighted that due to tide races, overfalls, Atlantic swells and hidden reefs this is a challenging but rewarding trail for experienced paddlers. The areas around Fair Head, Torr Head and the Rathlin Sound experience overfalls producing tidal rapids and waves dangerous to the inexperienced canoeists. More information on these and other such areas are detailed in this guide. However not all is lost for inexperienced paddlers wishing to explore this iconic coastline. There are several local operators offering guided trips allowing you to enjoy the surroundings whilst the experts look after the rest. Best for: Iconic Sites By far the best way to view the Giant’s Causeway in its entirety is from the water. A sea kayak allows you the time to take in the basalt columns, Chimneys and Amphitheatre in peace and quiet away from the crowds. Many visitors to the north coast have crossed the Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge, but few paddled beneath it. Given the right tidal conditions you’ll be able to do exactly that. Although these are the well renowned big hitters of tourist brochures you’ll also be taken in by ancient castles, tiny and forgotten fishing piers ands several lively harbours. Tidal Information: The Causeway Coast is a blend of rocky shores and headlands interspersed with golden sandy beaches. The tides offshore flood east and the rate increases as it is forced between Ireland and Scotland with Rathlin Island at the entrance to the Irish Sea. There are a number of currents and counter currents experienced closer inshore due to a complex shoreline of beaches, bays and headlands. Overfalls and tide races are found at all the headlands with eddies often running between these. Care should be taken when wind is in opposition to tide given that this coast is exposed to the Atlantic swell. When planning a trip reference should be made to the Irish Coast Pilot, Irish Cruising Club Sailing Directions for the East and North Coasts of Ireland, Admiralty Tidal Stream Atlas NP218 and relevant Admiralty Charts. The most powerful tides on the Causeway Coast are to be found in vicinity of Torr Head and Fair Head where large overfalls can be expected and conditions are particularly dangerous in conditions of wind against tide. All tide times relate to High Water Belfast. Entrance to Lough Foyle and Magilligan Point The south west flood into Lough Foyle begins +0400. The north east ebb begins mid channel -0320, the ebb begins one hour earlier at Magilligan Point. Spring rate can reach 3.5 kts in the entrance. On the north west side of the entrance there is a useful eddy from Warren Point to Moville on both ebb and flood. HW Moville +0350. Bann Entrance – Barmouth The flood begins +0225 and the coastal flood stream runs west strongly across the entrance. The ebb can reach 3kn and care should be taken when there is a combination of heavy swell and strong winds. It is best to enter at slack water and the Barmouth should be avoided in strong winds and heavy swell where waves can break across the entire river mouth. HW Coleraine -0430. Portstewart to Portrush There is a useful eddy which runs west along this shoreline from Ramore Head towards the Barmouth from -0200 until +0200. A tidal stream runs east through Skerries Sound from -0600 and sets up a useful eddy running west from Curran Point to Reviggerly. The west going stream through Skerries Sound begins at +0100. A strong north west going stream develops either side of Ramore Head from -0500 until +0600. HW Portrush -0440. Portrush to Ballycastle Strong localised tide races are found at Runkerry Head, Benbane Head, Bengore Head, Sheep Island, Carrickarede Island and Kenbane Head with Carrickmannon Rock lying offshore. Eddies and counter eddies can be found close to shore in most of the bays which may prove helpful if going against the main tide. Ballycastle and Rathlin Sound Detailed tidal information for Rathlin Sound can be found in the Irish Coast Pilot or Cruising Club Sailing Directions for the east and north coasts. In Rathlin Sound the main ebb stream runs west from HW Dover. The flood runs east from -0530 until -0030. There is a useful eddy from Fair Head to Carrickmannon starting from -0500 and lasts for five hours. It is strongest at -0300. An east going eddy from Carrickmannon towards Fair Head begins at +0100 and runs for four hours and is at its strongest at +0300. Sloughnamore the overfall south west of Rue Point is most turbulent from +0130 until +0230. Ballycastle HWS -0445, HWN -0200. Fair Head and Torr Head The most powerful tides on the Causeway Coast are to be found in this area and care should be taken especially when there are strong offshore winds coming over Fair Head. Large overfalls are to be expected off Fair Head and Torr Head and are particularily dangerous in conditions of wind against tide. Off Torr Head the south east flood into the Irish Sea begins +0600 and a coastal eddy forms running from Red Bay towards Cushendun from -0200 until -0100. Off Torr Head the NW ebb from the Irish Sea begins at HW Dover and a coastal eddy forms running from Cushendun towards Red Bay from +0300 until +0500. Tidal Constants Local HW Times in relation to HW Belfast Moville +3hr50mins Itineraries The CanoeNI team has combined their knowledge with that of many local experts to design a variety of canoeing itineraries to allow you make the most of your next short break or day trip to the North Coast Sea Kayak Trail. These are our favourite itineraries however the glory of this 70 nautical mile trail is that they can be mixed and matched to create an almost infinite number of itineraries. Useful Info Visitor Information Centres: Limavady +44(0)28 7776 0650 www.limavady.gov.uk Coleraine +44(0)28 7034 4723 www.northcoastni.com Portrush +44(0)28 7082 3333 www.northcoastni.com Giant’s Causeway +44(0)28 2073 1855 www.nationaltrust.org.uk Ballycastle +44(0)28 2076 2024 www.moyle-council.org Cushendall +44(0)28 2177 1180 www.moyle-council.org Currency: Counties Londonderry and Antrim are in Northern Ireland where pounds Sterling is accepted everywhere. Safety General Safety Canoeing is an adventure sport and as such should be treated with respect. If you are new to the sport, it is advisable to join an organized club (link to new page) or take some lessons with a canoeing provider (link to new section), both options will offer expert coaching. When participating in canoe sport note should be taken of the following safety advice:
North Coast Sea Kayak Trail Specific
Winds and Weather The Shipping Forecast, Inshore Waters Forecast and Coastal Forecast can all be obtained from the BBC website news.bbc.co.uk/weather BBC radio 4 broadcast a shipping forecast four times daily – 0048hrs, 0520hrs, 1201hrs, 1754hrs. Sea area ‘Irish Sea’ Non-emergency contacts Police non-emergency (Northern Ireland) 0845 600 8000 Belfast Coastguard non-emergency +44 (0)28 9146 3933 Emergencies In the event of an emergency - Dial 999 or 112 (from all phones, UK and ROI) to contact Coastguard, police and ambulance. Use VHF Radio Channel 16 to contact Coastguard Harbour contact details Portstewart Harbour +44(0)28 7034 7234 Portrush Harbour +44(0)28 7082 2307 Portballintrae Harbour +44(0)28 7034 7234 Ballycastle +44(0)28 2076 8225 VHF Ch80 +44(0)78 0350 5084 Rathlin +44(0)28 2076 8225 VHF Ch80 +44(0)78 0350 5084 Maps, charts and pilot Maps required Maps required OSNI Discoverer Map Series 1:50,000 Sheet 4 Coleraine OSNI Discoverer Map Series 1:50,000 Sheet 5 Ballycastle Other useful maps OSNI Causeway Coast & Rathlin Island Activity Map 1:25,000 OSNI Glens of Antrim Activity Map 1:25,000 Admiralty Charts required No: 2798 Lough Foyle to Sanda Island including Rathlin Island No: 2199 North Channel - Northern Part Other useful Charts - No: 2499 Lough Foyle Publications required - UKHO Irish Coast Pilot NP40, NP218 Tidal Stream Atlas North Coast of Ireland and West Coast of Scotland Irish Cruising Club: Sailing Directions East and North Coasts of Ireland Earning a welcome Earning a Welcome 1. Please be friendly and polite to local residents and other water users. 2. Drive with care and consideration and park sensibly. 3. Change clothing discreetly, preferably out of public view. 4. Gain permission before going on to private property. 5. Minimise your impact on the natural environment and use recognised access points. There are also many unofficial access points along the coastline, which may be used with the owner’s consent. 6. Be sensitive to wildlife and other users regarding the level of noise you create. 7. Observe wildlife from a distance and be aware of sensitive locations such as nesting birds, wintering flock concentrations, seal haul-outs, cetaceans and basking sharks - see www.wisescheme.org for more information. 8. CAAN supports the principles of Leave No Trace and encourages others to do the same when taking part in outdoor recreation. For more information please visit www.leavenotraceireland.org 9. Keep the numbers in your party consistent with safety, the nature of the water conditions and the impact on your surroundings. 10. Wild camping should be carried out discreetly, in small parties, and for overnight stays only.
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