Anyone been into Solva?

[Indalo]

I'm sailing around Britain this summer and aim to call at Solva, in Pembrokeshire. It's the only place I intend to visit where there are no detailed charts - I have the Imray chartlet and the OS 1:25000 map, but other than showing that there are rocks in the entrance, there isn't much detail.

Can anyone give me any directions for getting in? Apparently I have to avoid Black Rock in the middle as well as a left-of-centre Irishman.

 

[tcm]

not been by sea but i have been by land, and i remember that there is a fabulous butterfly farm in Solva! This doesn't help a lot with your enquiry, and I have to say that considering all the daft and/or useless advice i have given on these forums, this is actually er some of my better material....

 

[Blue Nun]

Last time that I was there, there was very little water, but there are excellent pubs, teashops and restaurants

 

[truebrit]

I have an excellent publication to hand "The sea guide to the Pembrokeshire coastline" by Tom Bennett. There are two entrance channels to Solva, the narrowest between St Elvis rock and Black rock (both rocks have metal posts on top) is the safest . Black rock is steep to on its east side ( keep close to port ). Hope this helps you

 

[Benbow]

Been there several times. It is a good spot to wait for the tide to turn N before going through Ramsey Sound and accross Cardigan bay. I don't have any details to hand, but I don't recall any serious issues by day, I would not want to try it at night.

There is only one spot that doesn't dry for most boats. That is near the cliff on the right after going through the entrance but before you go round the corner into Solva itself. I would guess there is room for only 2 boats to swing in there. (If you want to catch the N going tide you need to use it even if you can dry!)

Last time I was there, there had been days of very heavy rain and at low tide the whole inlet became essentially a fast flowing river. We rescued two kids on body boards who were being swept out to sea.

Nice enough spot, but has become very very touristy twee in recent years. As roryowen says, plenty of teashops and restaurants, but if you want to buy a bag of spuds or pick-up some gas, forget it. Very friendly sailing club with showers.

 

[tico]

Know it well!
Either entrance can be used at the top of the tide, but the left hand one is better at lower states.
Immediatly inside is 'the pool where ther is room for 2 boats to lie afloat, otherwise it all dries esp on springs.
Can lie against the Sand Quay wall if you are a fin keeler or dry out on hard sand if bilge keeler.
The lower part of the inlet can suffer in Southerlys from swell, but is sheltered further up.
Butterfly farm is now closed (sorry tcm) but it's worth visiting the Raol Speke gallery.
Couple of nice pubs and restaurants and v.friendly harbourmaster.
PM me for more details

 

[Indalo]

Thanks to everyone who posted. I also had a message from the HM so now have a fairly good picture of how to get in. Indalo has twin keels so she can dry out, but the next planned stop is Fishguard so I'll look for the pool.

Stan