Depending on the winds, the Irish Sea offers many shelters, both on the Irish side and on the British side. On the Welsh side, on the Pembrokeshire coast, at the level of the St. George's Channel, Fishguard Harbour is a practical and accessible stopover.
Two very different ports
Fishguard Harbour is a large harbour accessible in all sea conditions. However, the protection inside is not excellent in a north wind. It is composed of two harbors. First, the ferry port on the Goodwick side, between the end of the East breakwater and the North breakwater.
Then, a small marina is located to the southeast, in Lower Town. It is really only a small wharf that dries up at low tide with a few buoys in the outer harbor, but visiting sailors will find a nice shelter there.
Plenty of room to wet
Indeed, Fishguard is a good stopover on the way to Scotland or on the way back to France. There is plenty of room to anchor, both towards Lower Town and Goodwick. The anchorage at the entrance of the Lower Harbour between Saddle Point and Castle Point is probably the most protected, except in a north-westerly wind.
The entrance to Fishguard can also be done at night, but beware of the many fishing traps and mooring buoys scattered around the bay.
Small and friendly villages
As for services, the boater can count on a car service station on the Goodwick side of the waterfront, well-stocked mini-markets in Fishguard and Goodwick, a post office, an ATM, public toilets, showers at the Lower Town yacht club, when it is open, as well as a fresh water tap on the dock.
There are slips available, depending on the tide, on both the Lower Town and Goodwick sides and a coastal path links the two villages. Beautiful viewpoints are located above the bay, but also at the end of the breakwater. A small beach borders Goodwick harbor with a playground for children and an aquarium.
