Trearddur Bay
Trearddur Bay is one of our favourite North Wales paddling venues. Rocky coves, sandy beaches and rock gardens make a great paddling playground for kayaks and SUPs. With easy access on Anglesey’s west coast, welcoming cafes and bars also offer plenty of attractions ashore. In settled weather this is a great place to enjoy a coastal paddling adventure.
Trearddur Bay faces southwest and catches plenty of Irish Sea conditions, so choose your day with care - light winds and settled seas are best for friendly exploration on the water. Beware offshore breezes and pay attention to wind and waves beyond the shelter of the bay. Tides are weak inside the bay and close to shore, although the Inner Bay is fairly dry towards low tide. Check local tide times and watch out for shallow rocks along the coastline. This destination description assumes light winds and calm conditions.
The Inner Bay
Access is simple - Trearddur Bay is only 5 minutes from the A55 in Holyhead. There is a large beach car park next to the Sea Shanty cafe, roadside parking in the village, and another car park 200m past the RNLI station. The beach is popular in summer, but there’s always space to launch - a speed limit / swim zone keeps powerboats and jet skis away from the main beach.
Remember to check out conditions from the promenade before getting afloat. If you’re not sure, take a short drive towards Porth Dafarch - this minor road gives an excellent view of the coastline. Launch in the Inner Bay, where - in calm conditions - its rocky shorelines make a great playground. For beginners, the Inner Bay is a great place to spend a couple of hours. Small waves occasionally roll into the beach, with challenge and excitement for more experienced paddlers.
Heading Left
Looking out from the Inner Bay, on the left side there is a small cove beneath a prominent flagpole - a quiet landing away from the crowds. Past this bay, a rocky coastline leads out and left towards Porth Diana. Choose settled conditions for this section - only 300m distance, but more exposed to the open sea. Here is a cluster of narrow coves and sandy beaches, with easy road access. In summer there are scores of small boat moorings, a natural slalom course between rocky islets.
Beyond Porth Diana, the Anglesey coastline awaits - exposed to wind and waves, with fewer landings and more commitment. After 200m Ravens Point headland is a focus for conditions, and the first exposure to tidal streams that sweep along the coastline. Rhoscolyn Head appears, 2km distant across the south half of Trearddur Bay. This open sea environment is only suitable for more experienced paddlers, except in the calmest conditions. The next possible landing is 1km away, at Porth y Garan caravan park. Returning to the Inner Bay, watch out for shallow rocks and breaking waves near the entrance to Porth Diana.
Heading Right
Looking out from the RNLI slipway, on the right side of the bay a rocky reef creates a narrow gap past a low headland. At the end of this channel, the shelter of the Inner Bay ends and open water exposure begins. On a calm day, an easy 300m paddle along a shallow rocky shore leads to sheltered Porth yr Afon. Here on the headland is an enormous residence, well deserving its ‘Scooby Doo House’ nickname. In onshore winds, waves begin to break against the rocks along this section - be careful and check conditions before leaving the Inner Bay.
Past the big house, follow 500m of rocky shoreline to the next low headland. Beyond this point, a more exposed coastline leads towards Porth Dafarch, with few possible landings - again, only suitable for more experienced paddlers. Carefully check conditions before continuing any further.
Overview
Trearddur Inner Bay is a great place for novice paddlers, and anyone seeking a couple of hours of simple fun. In light winds and settled seas, the area between Porth Diana and Porth yr Afon is a fantastic playground for coastal exploration. SUPs and kayaks will enjoy this venue, with enough potential for an entire day of adventure afloat.
When to avoid?
In onshore S-W winds, waves quickly build on rocky shores beyond the Inner Bay - often unpredictable and hazardous. The Inner Bay is sometimes the only safe place to paddle. In stronger winds, the entire bay can be a challenging venue, only suitable for experienced coastal paddlers. Offshore N-E winds are a hazard here, with no shelter from low-lying land behind Trearddur Bay. Take a good look from the shore before making any decisions!
Other options?
If Trearddur Bay is too rough, Four Mile Bridge is only two miles away. This is a more sheltered venue, with access to the Inland Sea and protection from open water. There is often fast water in the tunnel beneath the road bridge - lots of fun if approached with care and correctly equipped.
Ashore?
The Anglesey coastal footpath leads from Porth Diana to Rhoscolyn Head, a 2-hour cliff-top round trip with excellent view of the open coastline. This is a fine alternative to paddling, and a great way to watch exciting sea conditions on windy days.
In Trearddur Bay, there’s a great choice of establishments along the high street and towards the RNLI station. Highlights include the Sea Shanty cafe, Scarlett’s fish & chips, Lola’s coffee shop and many more. For a glass of the stronger stuff, Trearddur Bay Hotel and The Seacroft offer great selections for the thirsty paddler.