We thought this would be a nice little short cut when approaching at dusk last week as a tanker was exiting at the same time.

Nothing was marked on the chart, but we noticed some buoys in the water - probably lobster pots - then a power pylon on the shore side.

We turned around at the last minute as didn't like the look of it and it turns out there is a wire strung across from the mainland. Reading the notes in Tom Bennet's "Sea Guide to Pembrokeshire" it says this is not recommended for boats over 10m, but I would simply avoid this route if you have a mast.

Editors note: Overhead cable is shown on UKHO raster charts, clearance 14m

As of 2022 there are 3 'official' visitor moorings in Dale Bay, just north of the moorings area and slightly west of the deep water pontoon. These are guard buoys for an experimental area of seagrass and to discourage anchoring in the seagrass area. They are properly maintained and insured. If used, you are encouraged to make a donation for their upkeep (current suggestion is £10 for an overnight stay). At present the moorings are funded by the seagrass project but that will end in a few years, hence the request for a donation to keep them going into the future.
The moorings are in an area that nearly dries on a low spring tide but are generally usable by shallower draft boats.

I reviewed these notes at the end of September 2022. Np major changes but I've added a link to the tidal streams around the entrance.

No changes

We have uploaded new charts.

These notes were reviewed by Don in April 2016.

You should leave Dale at LW not HW as previously stated in the 2011 notes - apologies for any confusion

These notes were reviewed and updated by Don T on the 18th February 2013. The details on the South Wales Firing Practice Areas was expanded and a few notes of local knowledge added.

If travelling North from Milford by far the quickest route from Milford Haven is via Jack Sound and Ramsey Sound. Neither of these should be approached in rough weather and without acces to a Pilot Book and chart (AC1482- on this site) - I use the Imray Pilot which gives specific directions on how to navigate through both sounds and I have done so on numerous occasions. I should make the point that was made to me on one occassion whilst I was waiting at Dale for settled weather - I had said to a local that if it was too rough to navigate the Jack the next day I would just have to go round the outside - and was told that if it was too rough for the Jack it would too rough round the outside!!

If you depart from Dale about High Water you should make the Jack by slack water if you dont allow your speed of advance drop below about four and a half knots. Just follow the Imray directions and it is a piece of cake. If you are trying to make it round to Fishguard in one hit it is necessary to go through the Jack about an hour before slack - keep the speed up and you can go through Ramsay at slack water. I have only attempted it once under sail and that was on a very settled day with the breeze from the Sou'East - gybed through the Jack, went across St Bride's Bay under spinnaker and found that the Ramsay was so settled that I went through that under spinnaker - but that was an exceptional sail - they only come along every so often and are unforgettable - best go through the sounds under power - or at least with the engine at a moments notice.

The reverse trip is not possible from the North as Ramsay Sound Slack water is an hour before The Jack - but a little way along St Brides is Solva - lovely little place - so an afternoon sail through Ramsay Sound followed by a convivial evening at The Ship for a morning start for the Jack can be recommended