Circumnavigating Anglesey by Sea Kayak, 2020
Sea Kayaking Wales recently circumnavigated Anglesey, utilising the spring tides of 19-23 September.
Our departure day was both windy and sunny, with north-easterly force 5 winds and a strong current to propell us from Menai Bridge to Abermenai Point. This leg only took a couple of hours and was a lovely first day out on the water.
The West coast on day two was again very sunny, but with far less wind. The flood current took us past Llanddwyn Island, Rhosneigr and Rhoscolyn to Porth Dafarch.
Day three - the Stacks and Skerries… A big spring tide and virtually no wind set us up for a lovely journey from Porth Dafarch to Porth Wen, via the Skerries.
Bad weather… Day four - A very windy day (force 5/6 south/westerly winds). We enjoyed coastal walks, visits to the Gadlys Hotel and Cemaes Bay, and spent some of the afternoon honing sea kayaking skills: rock hopping, rolling and self-rescues.
Last day (day 5) - The forecast force 3 northerly winds manifested as good value force 4 northerlies with 1 m swell. Within 2 hours we had arrived at Porth Eilan. A walk up to Point Lynas Lighthouse revealed a reasonable offshore line to avoid the sizeable tiderace/overfalls around Point Lynas. Two and a half hours of paddling later and we had arrived at Penmon. Everyone was glad of this beach rest with lots of food consumed and a good leg stretch. The great Anglesey East Coast had been traversed in one big offshore journey. Next we paddled the home leg of the circumnavigation, past Beaumaris to Menai Bridge.
Thanks to Jean, Rob, Matthew and Nick for joining Geth on this adventure.
From 2018-2020 Sea Kayaking Wales has had 5 Anglesey Expeditions, with 4 successful circumnavigations.
