Holy Island (Lindisfarne) is a superb venue for the dinghy sailor. It offers both sheltered all-tide sailing for the novice through to adventurous options for the more experienced sailor, in an area of outstanding natural beauty.
Holy Island is cut off by tides that cover the Causeway 2 hrs before and 3 hrs after high water. Berwick-on-Tweed lies 10M to the north-west; the Farne Islands lie 6M to the south-east. There is little high ground locally therefore Bamburgh and Holy Island castles make unmistakable orientation points. The sheltered sailing is over Fenham Flats and Holy Island Sands, a wide, esturine area of sand and mud within Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve and "The Harbour" which never dries and provides good LW sailing.
Holy Island is really atmospheric. It attracts tourists but isn't spoiled by them and their requirements. Most depart before the Causeway covers. For accommodation there is a choice of one hotel, two pubs, and a handful of B&Bs. There is no camping allowed on the island. You may, however camp on your boat below the MHWS line. Either pub may serve as evening HQ and restaurant. Other facilities are: Post Office, telephone, souvenir shops, off licence and public loo with cold water washing sink. Provisions are all but unavailable. Of interest are: the Priory, the Castle, round-the-island walks, the Church and the village itself. Cashback is available in "The Ship". There is a cash dispenser in "The Crown and Anchor".
The Harbour contains a handful of deepwater moorings for
fishing boats and visiting yachts. The fast tidal streams scour the sand away
and even at low water the dinghy sailor can have a satisfying sail. Be aware of
the reversal of tidal streams when tide covers or uncovers the Causeway by
either allowing or stopping water spilling over from the north. Low water is the best time to explore the channels draining Holy Island Sands
and Fenham Flats. The circular channel links with South Low (the stream flowing
under the Causeway) at a point favoured by hundreds of Atlantic Grey Seals known
by DCA as Seal Junction. Last year we observed a colony of maybe two hundred animals - no kidding! They are of course hated by fishermen but loved by the visitors On the north side of the island is Coves Haven, guarded by
fingers of rock projecting seawards, a small sandy beach makes a good place to
stop for a picnic. The outlying reefs are populated by yet more seals. At HW springs it is possible to circumnavigate Holy Island in a clockwise direction. (I have made it (June 2004) with my Dockrell 17 on a 4.9m tide) Arrive at the Causeway as it is about to flood and from your high viewpoint of the Refuge you will see Goswick Sands cover. If there is anything more than light surf you should abort the attempt. Non-gps skippers should follow Colin and Jayne Firths* (see below,) track ie. cross the Causeway west of the Refuge and head NNW parallel to the mainland until off Middle Shiel then head NNE to sea. Gps equipped skippers (WGS 84) could follow my course from the west of the Refuge to the watershed at N55 41.428 W001 52.314, then head to sea in deepest water N55 41.876’ W 001 52.041’. The deepwater route back into the harbour is to follow the
buoyage and pick up the obelisk leading-line on Guile Point to Burrows Hole,
then turn to starboard on Holy Island leading-line which takes you into The
Harbour. Local shallow draught craft in settled weather will take a short-cut
close to the Castle known as Hole Mouth. Circumnavigation notes. *(Go HERE for a more information on circumnavigating Holy Island. It includes a report from a pair of DCA member's unforgettable and inspirational circumnavigation during the 2001 Rally.)
Whilst this information is given in good faith and every
effort has been made to avoid errors, no responsibility is accepted regarding
its complete accuracy and the author or website owners will accept no
responsibility for damage or loss arising from any mistake or omission arising
from its use.
The Harbour Master, Mr Tommy Douglas (01289 389248) must be paid £2/day or £5/week. His house is the one closest to the water tower. Then you may proceed past the "NO VEHICLES BEYOND THIS POINT" sign to the grassy area before The Ouze
The slipway is owned by the
Local Authority and used by the fishermen. It is over by the fishing
shacks but outside the harbour wall that protects The Ouze. Vehicles
and trailers may be left nearby on the grass.
Light boats can be hand launched across the sand directly into The Ouze -2 +2HW. The slipway area has been found useable by DCA at all-tides.
"The Ouze" is a small drying inlet near the village protected from any incoming swell by "Long Ridge" a shingle bank in the entrance. Anchor toward the west shore, in front of the upturned herring boat shacks. Coarse sand gives way to squishy mud a couple of hours after HW.Anchor holding in "The Ouze" is very good once the surface crust is penetrated. My heavy CQR simply skids along the surface. Bruce anchors are better but as the tide recedes you will see that many local small boats use good old "fisherman" anchors. These leave upraised flukes ready to penetrate the hulls of the unwary!
Across The Harbour lies
Guile Point with its sinister obelisk shaped deep water leading line
marks. Landing here is possible from a creek that tucks in behind the
point giving shelter from an onshore wind. This offers an excellent
place for barbecues, picnics or an afternoon snooze. The tiny island
of Black Law lies directly between The Ouze and Guile Pt. Rare terns
breed here and must not be disturbed.
1. Goswick Sands are subject to continuous change. The above coordinates and information were correct at June 2004.
2. The crossing of Goswick Sands is best left to experts only, at best to get it wrong will leave you stranded on an exposed beach for 10 hours! At worst the weather will change and dangerous surf may force you to abandon your boat.
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