Portaferry
Portaferry is one the designated launch points of the Strangford Lough Canoe Trail and can be found on the east side of theNarrows of Strangford Lough. The village itself dates from the 12th century when a row of fishermen’s cottages were built beside an Anglo-Norman castle. Today the village is popular among visitors and well known for Exploris Aquarium with its displays of the local marine wildlife. The Narrows are 500m wide at the narrowest point; up to 60m deep, 5 nautical miles long, and is the start of a y-shaped channel that runs most of the length of the Lough. Sea level rises and falls more than 3 metres twice a day and approximately 350,000,000 cubic metres of water pour through The Narrows every 6 hours. A regular ferry service operates across The Narrows from Portaferry to Strangford.
Due to the large amount of water that flows through the narrows each time the Lough fills or empties with the tide, the current can reach speeds of up to 7 knots. So care should be taken when Paddling in the Narrows and be sure to check Tide Tables so as not to be caught out.
EBB TIDE (outgoing): Starts 3 hours 30 minutes after high water at Belfast
FLOOD TIDE (incoming): Starts 2 hours 30 minutes before high water at Belfast
Grid Reference: J595503
OSNI 1:50,000 Discoverer Series: Sheet 21, Strangford Lough. OSNI Strangford Lough Activity Map 1:25,000.
Due to the large amount of water that flows through the narrows each time the Lough fills or empties with the tide, the current can reach speeds of up to 7 knots. So care should be taken when Paddling in the Narrows and be sure to check Tide Tables so as not to be caught out.
EBB TIDE (outgoing): Starts 3 hours 30 minutes after high water at Belfast
FLOOD TIDE (incoming): Starts 2 hours 30 minutes before high water at Belfast
Grid Reference: J595503
OSNI 1:50,000 Discoverer Series: Sheet 21, Strangford Lough. OSNI Strangford Lough Activity Map 1:25,000.
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