Any news on Holyhead Marina progress?

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Ulysses II

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I'm looking at options for Irish Sea cruises this year and am thinking about visiting the North Wales coast. I haven't been to Holyhead since the marina pontoons were destroyed in 2018. It would be useful to hear how facilities for visitors are at the moment. The marina website doesn't have photos and is a bit short on detail. Any advice about the various Anglesey anchorages would also be welcome.
 
The Holyhead marina still doesn't have much in the way of berthing facilities for visiting yachts. There is a short landing stage in deep water which you can tie up to on a temporary basis but they don't like you leaving the boat unattended much. I believe you can now get fuel there though. Onshore, the chandlers, cafe and restaurant are all open as usual. Adjacent is the sailing club which usually has capacity to host visitors on swinging moorings (with a launch service) and the clubhouse has showers, bar, restaurant etc.

Along the north coast of anglesey, the anchorages can be exposed if there is any north in the wind. But its otherwise picturesque and quiet. The anglesey pilot has good advice for timing going round the various headlands and timings should be respected.

If you're passing up that way you should plan to sail through the menai straits and do the swellies!
 
I'll not be much help on the more technical aspects of anchorages etc as my sailing tends to be a bit more fairweather and warm seas. My family is local to Anglesey though and we do get out around the island in the rib.

I hear the holding isn't great but for a lunch stop in good conditions Pilot's Cove/Mermaid's Cove near Newborough are beautiful. Don't miss a sail past South Stack for the view.

This isn't a bad summary of the key places and is pretty recent. If you want some civilisation Trearddur Bay and Rhosneigr are lively and well served with pubs, restaurants etc etc. I can probably add more value telling you which are my favourites :ROFLMAO: .
 
The North Wales coast offers wonderful cruising. I thoroughly enjoyed it for around 20 years until Storm Emma paid a visit to Holyhead.

Holyhead Sailing Club has a number of visitors moorings. Maybe give them a call for a chat about your plans.

Current News


I believe that the marina has daylight-only, short stay, alongside visitors pontoons but fear that a fully functioning facility is many years away, sadly. I've not been there (by road) for about 12 months so I may be out of touch.

My preference is a "book" rather than an "App" so I strongly recommend that you invest in this cruising guide. Those obsessed by their phones may disagree :unsure:

Cruising Anglesey & Adjoining Waters
 
In lieu of more up to date info, I was there last April for two nights, only one other boat there. We were moored on the only floating breakwater left which was attached to the shore. Shore facilities were all functioning as normal and I was made welcome. Speaking to the marina office I was told that the plan was to build a breakwater and that proposals were afoot but were dependant on planning agreement and of course, finance.
 
I can't see any prospective investment in a new marina at Holyhead unless they have incredibly deep pockets or want to risk total destruction in the next few years.
The main stumbling block is the need for someone to take responsibility for the deterioration of the foundations of the main outer harbour defence wall built in the Victorian era.

Stenna are broke and have tried without success in selling Fishguard which is just as run down and neglected.

Plans to save port from breakwater breach

Op There are plenty of good safe Anchorages and moorings available from the end of the Llyn at Bardsey and all around Angelsey and along the Strait. If you want any detailed info please feel free to PM me your contact details.
 
Tough call investing in breakwaters these days...

Porto Das Lajes, Flores, Azores after Hurricane Lorenzo Sep23-2019.Porto Das Lajes,Flores,Azores after Hurricane Lorenzo 2019,23 Sep 2019.jpg
 
Thanks for all the replies and information. The Anglesey and North Wales Pilot is now on order! Reading up on the Menai Straights in the past has made the Swellies sound tricky, but a quick look on You Tube suggests that it isn't too complicated if planned properly. Hopefully, Holyhead will be able to rebuild but time will tell. Now I have to hope that there is some decent weather in the summer.
 
You may have a stressful time transiting The Swellies in Ulysses, the Irish Sea ferry, but, presumably, Ulysses II is a bit more manageable :)

I'm really pleased to read that you've ordered the Ralph Morris pilot book, I assure you that you'll have hours of armchair fun planning your trip. The Swellies pilotage is covered in a lot of detail. In summertime, in either direction, there are usually a few boats going round in circles, waiting for the right conditions before going through. It's not always safe to follow another boat on the assumption that they know what they're doing :) Better for the navigator to have a copy of the plan and follow it meticulously.
 
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