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Anglesey

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1. Llanddwyn Island, Newborough

This trip is a regular for us (we live a couple of miles away), particularly when we have visitors that would like to try sea-kayaking, or we only have an hour or so to spare.

It doesn't seem to matter how many times you visit Llanddwyn, the trip is always different.

• Newborough beach is safe in nearly all conditions, and can even be used on very rough days (with an onshore wind) at half tide when the sand bars offer good protection



• Having said that, launching can be quite challenging for those not accustomed to surf (a good clue is normally the presence of kite surfers) but once beyond the waves, the conditions are generally smooth



• If the state is less than half-tide, the distance from the car park to the water can be off-putting, as the approach is through frustratingly soft, fine sand



• These photos show the calmest conditions we have ever experienced here, together with a tide high enough for us to paddle straight across what is normally an isthmus, enabling us to do an anti-clockwise excursion around the island for a change



• Very relaxed paddling with a round trip of 4-5km

1) Launching from Newborough beach is usually a bit more challenging than this	2) Shooting the isthmus between Llanddwyn island and Newborough beach
3) The north side of the island is rarely calm like this and can be quite a shock on fairly moderate days, with the swell steepening quickly near the shore and rebounding from the cliffs	4) There are always plenty of cormorants to be found here and, if you are lucky, seals too
5) The area at the seaward end of Ynys Llanddwyn can present a pretty confused sea on an otherwise calm day - on this occasion, we are able to cut the corner thanks to the very high tide	6) Pilot's Cove, southwest Llanddwyn - last time we were here, it was difficult to land, and a small boat was being smashed to pieces in the swell
	7) Newborough can be a busy place, but today our only fellow outdoor enthusiasts were high above us

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2. Penmon and Puffin Island

• This trip involves a steep launch off the shore at Penmon, then an easy paddle out through the swirling current



• On this occasion, the wave height gradually increased as we traversed the north shore, leading to quite difficult conditions as we turned the NE corner - some seals to look at, but this was not a place to capsize...



• We surfed the waves back westward before a stop on the 'beach' of Puffin Island to admire the guano



• Then back to Penmon where the landing is always entertaining due to the steep shingle



• About 4km, which we must do again

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3. Cable Bay to Rhosneigr

• A short hop along the coast, about 5km



• Cable Bay is known for good surfing, so launching and landing can be challenging if there is much swell



• The first bit of open sea always seems to be rough and confused (we have seen quite large fishing boats being thrown around here)



• Turn right on leaving Cable Bay, straightforward paddling north to Rhosneigr where it is normally easy to avoid the waves by landing at the far end of the beach, or go round the small headland and in through the rocks

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4. Cable Bay to Aberffraw

• Cable Bay is known for good surfing, so launching and landing can be challenging if there is much swell



• The first bit of open sea always seems to be rough and confused (we have seen quite large fishing boats being thrown around here)



• Turn left on leaving Cable Bay and follow the coast south



• If you are not doing a return trip, you need to time your arrival at Aberffraw estuary for near the top of a spring tide, or you will end up walking up the river to the car park

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5. Aberffraw to Pen y Parc

• Unless you are doing a one-way trip south to Newborough, you need to time your departure from Aberffraw, such that there is enough water in the river for the trip down to the sea, and enough for your return journey two or three hours later



• We usually aim to leave about 2 hours before high tide, so that we're back in the river about one hour after high tide



• Or just accept that some walking will be involved - after all, that's why you bought a kayak trolley



• Round trip to Porth Y Cwch is about 8km of excellent scenery

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6. Lligwy to Moelfre

This is an interesting coastline, but is always worth a little care when choosing the tide and sea state as an onshore breeze, especially against tide, can create quite lumpy conditions.

Good paddling with a round trip of about 8km.

1) On this occasion, there was a light offshore wind giving mainly calm conditions	2) Heading for Moelfre - a bit of wind came up against the tide chop at Ynys Moelfre. We paid a quick visit to the village 'beach' and then landed at the old lifeboat slipway for a quick snack of traditional black tea and crackers.
3) Rounding Ynys Moelfre on the return journey - fine smell of guano	4) Perfect timing on the tide gave us an easy ride back

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7. Port Penrhyn to Ogwen River

• Facing Anglesey, go round to your right from Port Penrhyn and find a small 'beach' to launch from



• This is not the most attractive launch site and you will need a bit of tide to avoid the mud



• Once launched, this is quite an interesting little trip along the strait



• Good for birds (Heron, Little Egret, Oyster Catchers, Curlew etc) and some interesting ruins (swimming pool)



• Penrhyn Castle staff can be over-sensitive to one's arrival in the river but it is clearly tidal up until the first weir (and probably well beyond), so you are entitled to paddle it as a navigation (unless someone knows different?)



• Round trip is about 6km

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8. Felinheli to Foel Farm, Brynsiencyn

• This is a simple tour of the southern end of the Menai Strait - Felinheli, Foel (stop for coffee at Foel Farm), Caernarfon, over Traeth Gwyllt (depending on the tide), Plas Menai, then back to Felinheli



• There are usually plenty of birds, and quite a lot of water-based activity to keep you entertained



• Round trip is about 8km

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9. Beaumaris to Fryars Bay

• You can launch, and land at almost any state of tide, at the West end of the shingle beach at Gallows Point



• Quick tour of Beaumaris (passing under the pier - but use your own judgement here), then along the coast



• Tidal flow has a big influence on the whole trip, affecting how hard you have to paddle, and where you can stop



• On return to Gallows Point, keep away from the mud as you near the point, even if you have to paddle a little bit harder to reach the hard ground



• Round trip is about 5km

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10. Dwyran to Malltraeth

• This launch is a few hundred yards from home and so we were able to wheel our boats down the road to the bridge over the Afon Braint in Dwyran (near Bird World)



• Fun trip down a narrow river and out into the Menai Strait, around Abermenai Point, breakfast stop at Newborough beach and on to Malltraeth estuary, where it is a bit of a slog against the tide to the village



• One way trip is about 17km

1) Launching on the Afon Braint under Bird World bridge at high tide	2) Quick trip down the narrow river to the stepping stones
3) Negotiating the stepping stones at Pen Lon	4) Phew - got through okay!
5) Crossing Newborough beach and the gap at Llanddwyn Island at high tide - eerily calm	6) Afon Braint at low tide - note the bicycle and other hazards for launching