Directions to Inverness Marina by Sea

WPT Meikle Mee SHM By Fl G 3S, 57° 30’• 25N , 04° 12’ • 03W, 250°/ 0.74M to Longman Pt bn. Inverness Firth is deep from Chanonry Pt to Munlochy SWM buoy, but shoal 2.1m to Meikle Mee buoy. Meikle Mee partly dries. Tidal streams are strong S of Craigton Pt (E-going stream at sp exceeds 5kn). Entrance to river Ness is narrow with 3.6m LWS.

Navigational advice for craft transiting between Inverness Marina and the Caledonian Canal, or vice versa.

• All pleasure craft must give way to commercial shipping at all times, when entering or leaving Marina

As a general rule large commercial shipping proceeds to and from the Harbour in the period of -2hrs High Water, up to High Water Inverness, and occasionally at slack Low Water.

If arriving or departing during the above times, call Inverness Pilots on Ch 12 VHF to check channel is clear. If no response, then proceed with caution and maintain listening watch on      Ch 12.

• Craft should be aware of the shallow underwater shoal which extends 280m northwards from Carnarc Point Light (Fl.G.2s4M), on the west side of entrance to the River Ness.

• All craft should be aware that strong currents exist in the area of the Kessock Bridge and the Kessock roads

From Marina to Canal entrance

Vessels should depart Marina and follow the middle of the river channel until abeam of the red Outer Beacon, (Q.R.4M), and only then commence turn to port.

Subsequently proceed up the middle of the Firth until flagpole at Charleston Community Hall (on the North Shore), is abeam to starboard. (Thus keeping clear of a drying shoal on south bank.)

From this point turn to port and head in a WSW’ly direction towards the Caledonian canal sea-lock.
The canal sea-lock can be contacted on Ch 74 VHF.

From Canal entrance to Marina

Vessels should leave Caledonian canal sea-lock entrance and initially head northwards to mid channel.
(Thus keeping clear of a drying shoal on south bank).

Subsequently head along mid Firth in an easterly direction, steering for the centre span of Kessock Bridge, until the line of the River Ness is open and clear on the starboard quarter, and only then commence starboard turn to proceed up the river channel to the Marina.

The entrance to the Marina is just within the river-mouth, on the port side.

Please contact Inverness Marina office should you require any further information.
Tel : +44 1463 220501   OR VHF Ch 12