Port St Mary

Port St Mary sits on the eastern side of the southern peninsula, a working harbour that was one of the main herring ports in the nineteenth century and is now largely a sailing and small-boat base, with a lifeboat station, a stone breakwater and Chapel Bay beach beside the harbour. Perwick Bay lies round the point to the south. The coastal path runs from here around the Chasms towards Cregneash.

History

The village takes its name from the former Chapel of St Mary: the Manx form, originally purt kill Moirrey, "harbour by St Mary's church", gave the English name Port St Mary (Wikipedia, Port St Mary).

What to look for

• The harbour - the working port with its stone breakwater and lifeboat station.
• Chapel Bay - the sheltered beach immediately beside the harbour.
• Perwick Bay - the smaller cove round the point to the south.
• The coastal path - the route running south towards the Chasms and Cregneash.

When to go

April to September for the beaches and sailing. Winter is very quiet with limited facilities. The harbour dries at low tide in places.

Practical notes

The village is quiet with limited eating and drinking outside the season. Beaches are small and the harbour side dries out at low water. It is a working port rather than a resort.

Nearby

The Chasms are south, and Port Erin is west.

Key facts