Port of Holywood

The controlling depth at Holywood is 11 meters. Draft restrictions should be confirmed with the port authority before arrival, as silting, dredging operations, and tidal conditions can affect available depths. Pilotage is typically required for larger vessels.

The approach to Holywood is supported by 5 navigation aids within 50 nautical miles. The nearest is Pladdy Lug Lighthouse at 10.3 NM to the SE. Other aids include Killyleagh (15.5 NM SSE), Carnlough North Pier (22 NM N), Portpatrick Range Rear (27.3 NM ENE), Crammag Head (30.2 NM E). Mariners should consult the relevant chart and List of Lights for full approach details.

The Port of Holywood is located within the English Channel / North Sea corridor — one of the world's busiest maritime corridors connecting the Atlantic to Northern European ports. This strategic position influences vessel traffic density, anchorage availability, and port scheduling.

You can track vessels near Holywood (GBYLW) in real time using MarineRadar. The platform displays live AIS positions of nearby ships, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page or search for GBYLW on the live map.

The Port of Holywood operates in the UTC+0 time zone. Operating hours, VTS schedules, and pilot availability vary — vessel agents should confirm with the port authority in advance, especially for night arrivals or weekend operations.