Irvine Harbour is on the Ayrshire Coast between Ardrossan and Troon. Entry is by the starboard hand beacon at 55°36’.18 N 04°42’W. Admiralty charts 1866, 2220 & 2126. Notice to Mariners number 01/07 IH refers to the extinguished porthand perch.

From a distance, Irvine can be identified by five blocks of multi story flats located near to the town centre, together with numerous chimneys and church spires. Two nautical miles down the coast, the two and a half cable long, light coloured facade of a paper mill is prominent, particularly when approaching from the south. A tall white tide marker station, referred to locally as the pilot house, is just within the harbour entrance. It is usually seen before the six metre high entrance beacon which is surmounted by a circular deck and solar panels. At night the entrance beacon (Fl.G.3s 6m 5M) flashes green lights every three seconds. A pair of leading lights, (F.R.15m5M - F.G.10m5M) red showing above green 051°T, located on towers 100 metres apart on the harbour wharf, initially give the line of the fairway, and can usually be picked out in daylight. The extent of the stone groynes forming the channel from the entrance beacon to the shoreline is indicated by lines of wooden perches to port and starboard. The entrance beacon also marks the approximate position of the sand bar, which has a charted depth of less than a metre at MLWS. There can be breaking seas at the bar in wind over tide conditions, especially after a spell of heavy rain, when the rivers Irvine and Garnock are in spate.

A retracting pedestrian bridge has been established at: 55°36’.46N 04°41’.44W just up stream from the second leading light. At MHWS, this hazard to navigation has an air draft of 5 metres under the central span. In the open position the channel is through the opening marked by port and starboard lights on the two bridge supports. In the closed position two additional red lights, mounted on the bridge mid channel, are illuminated.

The "Big Idea" Innovations Centre has closed down and the harbour bridge has been left in the open position. However, there are facilities either side of the bridge where vessels may tie up and wait should the bridge be closed.

A two level visitors wharf is located approximately 90 metres beyond the bridge on the starboard side. A water point is housed in a metal box at road level. The Harbour Office is directly opposite. Depth alongside the wharf is 2.2metres at MLWS. The bottom is soft mud. The trots further up river are used by local boats, and are not normally available to visitors. Arrangements can be made to use the slip, situated beyond the Maritime Museum pontoon, by contacting the Harbour Office.

NOT IN USE: PLEASE CONTACT DUTY HARBOURMASTER
ON 01294 314050 or 07958500953

Irvine Harbour Master, Arran Cameron, 0141 242 7900
Duty Harbourmaster, Trevor Fotheringham, 01294 314050 or 07958 500953
Irvine Harbour Office 01294 314050
Irvine Water Sports Club 01294 274981
Magnum Leisure Centre 01294 278381
Scottish Maritime Museum 01294 278283
Harbour Arts Centre 01294 274059
Scottish Boat Jumble 07721 888789
Harbourside Hotel 01294 275515
Irvine and District Tourist Association 01294 275515

Petrol, diesel and bottled gas at garages in town (nearest 1.5km)

Further up the harbour adjacent to the slip Irvine Water Sports Club offers hospitality to the crews of visiting vessels. Showers are also available.

There are also Toilets and Showers provided by North Ayrshire Council at their facility adjacent to the Pilot House – Telephone 01294 277670

Extra care should be taken not to pollute the Harbour.

The depth on the bar is affected by the wind. Vessels without local knowledge should exercise extreme caution in northerly or southerly winds as there is a set across the entrance. In particular, note that the charted depth over the bar may vary from season to season.