Welsh Sea Kayaking

Andy Biggs Andy has always had a strong affinity with the sea. From a very early age he enjoyed sailing under the watchful of his father and during later school years spent all his spare time sailing, representing Britain at World and European Championships. It has been said that it's easier to make a good sea-kayaker out of a sailor than a river kayaker. Andy has a deep understanding and love of the sea, which has inspired him to gain a great deal of technical knowledge about its movements and changeability. Those who have paddled with him comment on, and benefit from, his understanding and analysis of tidal movements and anomalies, often ensuring the most efficient and enjoyable trips with the tide and wind being allies rather than obstacles. Fascinated by the journeying nature of sea kayaking, Andy has completed many memorable trips around the UK including trips in Ireland, Scotland and extensively in Wales. He has circumnavigated the islands of Skye and Mull and recently paddled multi-day trips in Alaska and New Zealand. Andy loves remote places and has completed many challenging trips, either as a solo traveller or with his long-suffering college friend, Simon. These adventures have included trekking in the Himalayas, alpine climbing, cycling across Iceland and also crossing Eastern Europe soon after the collapse of the Eastern Bloc. Andy has been a free-lance photographer and more recently, has enjoyed inspiring students in his position as a Further Education lecturer in Photography. Jim Krawiecki Jim's involvement in the outdoors and in particular the Welsh coastline started on family holidays spent at the unique Polish ex-servicemen's home near Pwllheli. Beachcombing, investigating the sea life in rock pools and walks along the dramatic headlands of the Lleyn developed an interest in the outdoors. An introduction to canoes and kayaks at school led Jim to join a local canoe club in the mid 90's, predominately a white water club, as members suggested that sea kayaking was both dangerous and boring! Undeterred and finding better-informed company through North West Sea Kayakers, a passion for the sea was rekindled and encouraged. In return Jim is now a prominent member of that group and regularly organises meets and sea trips. Sea Kayaking in Brittany, the Greek Isles, Scotland and numerous excursions to Wales have prompted him to share his enthusiasm for sea touring by putting pen to paper and hopefully opening up opportunities for others to enjoy the delights of this region. Jim is also a passionate mountaineer, which in turn has led to his current employment at the offices of the British Mountaineering Council.

Foreword and Dedication3Coastal Access in Wales6Important Notice7Acknowledgements7How to Use the Guide8About the Authors10The North Coast 111Dee Estuary132The Ormes193Conwy Estuary25Anglesey / Ynys Mon294Puffin Island315Menai Strait356South-west Anglesey417Cymyran Strait and Rhoscolyn458The Stacks519Irish Sea Crossing5710Holy Island Circumnavigation6111Carmel Head6712The Skerries7113Porth Wen7514Point Lynas8115Bull Bay to Isle of Man87The Lleyn Peninsula9116Trefor to Porth Dinllaen9317Porth Dinllaen to Porth Oer9718Bardsey Sound10119Bardsey Island10720South-west Lleyn11321St Tudwal's Islands11922Pwllheli to Criccieth123Cardigan Bay12923Dwyryd Estuary13124Mawddach Estuary13525Aberdovey to Aberystwyth13926Ynys-Lochtyn14527Mwnt151Pembrokeshire15528Cemaes Head15729Dinas Head16130Strumble Head16531Penclegyr16932St David's Head17333Ramsey Island17734Bishops and Clerks18335Green Scar18736St Brides Bay19137Stack Rocks19538Skomer and Skokholm19939St Ann's Head20540Milford Haven20941St Govan's Head21342Caldey Island21743Carmarthen Bay221Gower & Bristol Channel22544Burry Holms22745Worms Head23146Mumbles Head23547Tusker Rock23948The Most Southerly Point24349Flat Holm and Steep Holm24750Bristol Channel253Appendices257ACoastguard & Emergency Services257BWeather257CPilots258DMean Tidal Ranges258EGlossary of Welsh Language Place Names259FRecommended Reading260GTrip Planning Route Card - User's Guide260HTrip Planning Route Card263IIndex265