This is a list of places that I've Standup Paddled in Pembrokeshire.
I take no responsibility for your life choices! :-)
Generally in tidal conditions you'll want to launch around high tide.
Your ideal window is probably 2 hours either side of hightide.
The tide is roughly an hour later each day.
Windspeed should be under 10mph, ideally onshore. Onshore means the wind will blow you back to the beach. Offshore means the wind direction will blow you away from the beach. It's often hard to tell on the beach if there's an offshore wind because the beach will be sheltered by the land. But you paddle out a way and suddenly the wind has you. You can look at flags or check a website.
Personally I choose not to put my head under the water within 48 hours of it raining because of run off etc
I definitely think going with guided tours is a good idea. It's safer, more social and you'll get the to see the cool stuff only the locals know about.
Forecasting options
Surfline and SurfReports are a couple of good options for weather and conditions for watersports. You can use these websites to see tide, water state, wind etc. They should give you an idea of what to expect, but as UK weather conditions can change quickly you want to be checking them regularly.
Here's a graph showing how water temperature varies through the year. More data here.
I take no responsibility for your life choices! :-)
- Always check conditions, always ask a local.
- Don't go out if you aren't sure.
- You can't out paddle the wind or the tide!
Generally in tidal conditions you'll want to launch around high tide.
Your ideal window is probably 2 hours either side of hightide.
The tide is roughly an hour later each day.
Windspeed should be under 10mph, ideally onshore. Onshore means the wind will blow you back to the beach. Offshore means the wind direction will blow you away from the beach. It's often hard to tell on the beach if there's an offshore wind because the beach will be sheltered by the land. But you paddle out a way and suddenly the wind has you. You can look at flags or check a website.
Personally I choose not to put my head under the water within 48 hours of it raining because of run off etc
I definitely think going with guided tours is a good idea. It's safer, more social and you'll get the to see the cool stuff only the locals know about.
Forecasting options
Surfline and SurfReports are a couple of good options for weather and conditions for watersports. You can use these websites to see tide, water state, wind etc. They should give you an idea of what to expect, but as UK weather conditions can change quickly you want to be checking them regularly.
Here's a graph showing how water temperature varies through the year. More data here.
Gelliswick Beach |
Tucked away in a suburb of Milford Haven. It's not the most scenic or exciting, but it's a good beginner spot. There's loads of free parking and there are usually other people out, either paddling or from the sailing club. There are no toilets. It's a pebbly beach
It's a sheltered bay but watch out for offshore winds.
Gelliswick Beach link
It's a sheltered bay but watch out for offshore winds.
Gelliswick Beach link
Milford Haven
There's an activity center in Milford Marina now where you can rent boards and kayaks.
Similar to Gelliswick, watch out for offshore winds.
Plenty of parking, lots of bars and restaurants, although no convenience store. Beach is rocky
Milford Beach activity center
Milford Haven Tide Times
Similar to Gelliswick, watch out for offshore winds.
Plenty of parking, lots of bars and restaurants, although no convenience store. Beach is rocky
Milford Beach activity center
Milford Haven Tide Times
Sandy Haven
Small tidal estuary near Milford Haven. There is a campsite near the launch. Free parking, but no amenities. This estuary completely dries out some times of day. I ride my bike across at low tide. Great fun around high tide. You can ride the tide up the river and then back back again. You can also paddle out onto the Haven from here if you are careful. The road down to the campsite is very narrow.
Dale
Still in the Haven, well sheltered. There's a shop, a cafe and some pubs in Dale but only open in the summer. Parking isn't free in the summer. The roads out there are quite narrow.
Great spot for learning. Windswept Watersports has SUP activities and rentals.
Windswept Watersports
Great spot for learning. Windswept Watersports has SUP activities and rentals.
Windswept Watersports
Broad Haven
Sandy beach that get's some surf. A lot of the time it's pretty mellow. You have to pay for parking but there's a toilet, a convenience store and some restaurants and pubs. Can get busy in the summer.
There's a surf shop where you can rent gear and buy wetsuits etc.
You can easily paddle from here to Little Haven for more pubs if the conditions are good.
Broad Haven website
Haven Sports
There's a surf shop where you can rent gear and buy wetsuits etc.
You can easily paddle from here to Little Haven for more pubs if the conditions are good.
Broad Haven website
Haven Sports
SaundersFoot/Coppet Hall
Big sheltered sandy bay. Really beautiful. Great amenities. Parking is not free and can get crowded in the summer.
There is a rental center that offers lessons and trips.
Good Trails Activity Center
There is a rental center that offers lessons and trips.
Good Trails Activity Center
Llanion Cove
Llanion Cove is a launch just south east of the Cleddau bridge. On a good day, you can ride the tide from here up the river to Lawrenny, dock at the Lawrenny arms, have lunch while you wait for the tide to turn and then ride the tide back. There's an activity center here, but I think it's just for school kids. No amenities, but parking is free.
On a bad day it can be very windy on the river and the wind can come up suddenly.
Llanion Cove
On a bad day it can be very windy on the river and the wind can come up suddenly.
Llanion Cove
Lawrenny Quay
Further up the river than Llanion Cove. There's plenty of parking and a pub and a cafe open in the summer. Parking is free but there is a launching fee to be paid in the chandlers. There's a speed limit on the river from here on up, so there's a lot less boat traffic and no wakes.
Lawrenny Quay
Lawrenny Quay
Solva
Solva is a beautiful little village with a pirates and smugglers feel. Plenty of amenities including a toilet and pubs/restaurants. Parking can be a bit busy in the summer. You can paddle up the inlet and around the corner to a beach. Once you get to the island you are on the sea, so you need the right conditions for that to be safe. E.g. no tide running and no wind.
Solva
Solva
Sea Caves around Dinas Island
This was a guided trip I took with Leanne. We had amazing conditions, but we were out on the sea proper and I wouldn't do this without an experienced guide. Paddling into sea caves is surreal.
It was an amazing trip. Definitely recommend.
The tour ended in Newport which is cute little village with plenty of amenities.
Leanne Bird
It was an amazing trip. Definitely recommend.
The tour ended in Newport which is cute little village with plenty of amenities.
Leanne Bird
Brecon Canal
This was a guided trip with Outdoor Explore Wales. Starting at the canal basin in Brecon we paddled down the canal over an amazing aquaduct to a pub for lunch and then back again. It was a grand day out. Plenty of amenities in Brecon. Because of the sheltered nature of the canal I think this is the sort of trip that is resistant to changes in the weather. Martin is a fantastic guide and gave me some really good paddling tips. Need to get back up there.
Outdoor Explore Wales
Outdoor Explore Wales
On the canal
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