Crossing the Irish Sea, the south-eastern tip of the Isle of Man offers several anchorages. Castletown is the perfect place to visit this small town of undeniable medieval charm. A stopover steeped in history, the castle of the ancient kings stands proudly near the small harbour.
An old fishing port that's drying up
The harbor, located in the northwest corner of the bay, is divided into several sections: an outer harbor up to a swing bridge, the central basin beyond the swing bridge and, further out, behind a fixed bridge, an inner harbor suitable for small motorboats that can pass under the bridge.
All these basins dry up at low tide. Boats can run aground against the various quays.
A vast anchorage area in the bay
The bay is ideal for anchoring. However, there are a few shallows to watch out for. One of the best berths is probably just to the south-east of the harbor, allowing you to dinghy quickly into the outer harbor.
Derby Haven, east of Castletown, is a second anchorage in a shallow bay. It is, however, little protected from the rest of the eastern sector. There is a breakwater in the middle of the bay. The area behind the breakwater is only suitable for keelboats and boats that can run aground.
Anchor in the middle of the bay on a line between St Michaels Island and the northeast end of the breakwater. A small jetty on St Michaels Island allows you to go ashore to admire the ruins of the chapel and the old fort.
The airport, in the immediate vicinity of the shoreline, does not really present an inconvenience to the tranquility of the anchorage.
Numerous counter-currents
The Irish Sea is criss-crossed by ocean currents. The Isle of Man, in the middle, is an area of complex currents, with numerous counter-currents. It is therefore important to study them carefully when approaching anchorages. Maps of the currents around the island are available on the Isle of Man government website. Further information on the island's harbours can also be found on this site.
Nearby services
At Castletown harbor, most docks offer water and electricity, and toilets and showers are also available. Garbage containers are located in the outer harbor. Diesel and petrol are available from the garage, about 400 meters away. In the pretty town center, several small supermarkets and other stores are within walking distance. There are no amenities in Derby Haven.
Castletown is also a tourist destination. There are a variety of pubs and restaurants. The castle is well worth a visit. Castletown is also a stop on the Manx Steam Railway, which runs four times a day to Port Erin or Douglas.
