Conwy / Beaumaris

[tyce]

After receiving some fabulous info off many of you while dreaming during winter of a cruise to North Wales, the time has finally arrived to set of on our summer cruise so late next week we will be leaving Morecambe Bay and heading south.
Boat is a 31ft twin Bilge keel so happily takes the ground.
As i am sailing with the family which includes two 6 year olds i always like to get as much info beforehand as possible so the start of my two week hols to the Menai / Anglesey area will begin with a trip to Conwy so any info you can pass on with regards to liklihood of berths in Conwy marina would be great.
After Conwy plan is to head to Beaumaris so is there any free moorings you can point me towards or somewhere to get along side?
After Beaumaris i was going to head through the swellies to Porth Dinllaen then Caenarfon then who knows where.
Obviously as young kids involved weather will pay a great part in my plans but any more info is always much appreciated.

 

[riojasailer]

There has been an empty berth next to La Galesa (our Bene37) in Conwy Marina for several months now as well as a few others within sight. I don't think you'll have any problem with a visitor's berth this summer. Ring John Roberts for reassurance before you set off. Hope to see you.

 

[shaunksb]

After Beaumaris i was going to head through the swellies to Porth Dinllaen then Caenarfon then who knows where.
.

You'll have no problem getting a visitor berth in Conwy.

Beaumaris has at least two visitor moorings in "the Pool" opposite the Pier although the holding is also Ok if you want to anchor. There are always moorings available further down the Straits towards Menai Bridge

Do you mean Port Dinorwic then Caenarfon then Porth Dinllaen?

Again never any problem with moorings at Port Dinorwic (and don't forget the Marina) and the harbourmaster (Mark) will fit you in at the Victoria Dock in Caenarfon.

Porth Dinllaen also has visitor moorings but there is plenty of space in the bay to anchor if the weather is right

It should all make a lovely trip if you get the weather



_____________________.

 

[kyleview]

Just did all of this 4 weeks ago from Scotland. I go with what others have said - no problems getting berths / moorings all around the area. Was really enjoyable and recommended.

 

[hlb]

There should be loads of room in either Conwy, or Deganwy, just across, though Conwy is much nearer to town. Or you could take a HM pontoon or mooring. There is a water taxi, that will take you to town. Or even from the Marina to town. Better ask though, things change.

Beaumaris will probably be on a buoy and you will need a dinghy to get ashore, better ask as I could not take the ground. But you can more or less use any empty buoy, all the way up the Straits.

Just before the first bridge, you will come across the Prince Maddog, right hand side. Or if it's not there, it's jetty. You can moor alongside, or on the jetty, but try to find out when the P Maddog is coming back, else you may have to move.

Alternate is to moor at a buoy near there and take the dinghy round her, here you will find a dinghy pontoon, which is about the easiest place to land in the straits. You will find pubs and shops close by.

SWellies passage for you, is Liverpool HW, which is slack. Dont try it any other time, less you have a few hundred HP.

Next is Port Dinorwick, either through the lock, or the council estate marina just next door. Best to ask PD HM for where you want. Else there are mooring buoys outside.

I'd go into the lock, cos thats more fun and where everything happens, for what it is. Dont go to the hotel there. walk down the umm, South side of the lock and go through the housing estate, ask some one. Then a little path, you will come to a great little pub, good food and on the waters edge.

Conarfon, two choices. Into the marina. (You may have to raft) and it has a sill gate. Or to the slate harbour, where you will have to ask for the bridge to be moved. Ask SeaRush, thats where he is.

In Conarfon, there is loads to do and you can go for a day trip on a steam train, over the mountains. Bit expencive but well worth it.

 

[Searush]

With youngsters, at least one day should be spent in Red Wharf bay. Access only available 2hrs either side of hw - Follow the bouyed channel & pick up a vacant bouy. The bay dries out to some 10sq miles of fabulous sand with lovely shallow pools around where the boats moor. Food at the Ship Inn or the nearby restaurant & an ice cream van on the car park.

Llandwynn Island (Pilots Cove & Mermaids Cove) is brilliant with most Northerly winds. Wild flowers, rare shells, C19th pilots cottages, wild ponies, lovely beaches, craggy rocks & clear water.

There are a few nice spots on the North coast of Anglesey too - especially the Skerries Lagoon, but you need settled weather, it is NOT a place to be in Northerlies or poor visibility.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

No HM in Porth Dinllaen, but if there is a fisherman about they usually know which mooring buoys are free if you want to moor rather than anchor.

 

[hlb]

Up the straits, the weather dont matter much, but maybe the tide. If the wind is against you, dont go over Conarfon bar, it is not deap.

Not sure if you intended to go to Port Dinllaen, but be ware, it is a lovely place, with a pub on the beach, but very little shelter.

So from Conarfon, you have two choices, depending on wind. Over the Conarfon bar and maybe to Hollyhead, loads of bays to anchor in on the way.

Or, back in the direction of Conwy, then round the N coast of Anglsey, again to Holyhead. Loads of anchorages on the way, but Hollyhead marina is a dump. sailing club is OK, Having said that, Hollyhead is a good place to make your return passage from, because it's about the only place you can leave anytime.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Not sure if you intended to go to Port Dinllaen, but be ware, it is a lovely place, with a pub on the beach, but very little shelter.

I would describe PD as excellent shelter from some directions, and no shelter from others. It's fairly obvious looking at a chart.

 

[akyaka]

In the river at Conway their are pontoons and you could check with the harbour master if there is space. As I remember the NWCC runs a ferry from them to shore.These are opposite the town whereas the Marina is a 15 minute or so walk.

At Beaumaris and being a bilge you can take the ground at Gallows Point in front of the NWVYC, who let you use their toilets and showers; their website has loads of information on Anglesey as does their pilot of the whole of this area.

Caernarfon is not to be missed with its friendly marina and atmospheric river quay right under the castle, though the ladders could be a bit of a problem with youngsters at low water.

Llandwynn Island (Pilots Cove & Mermaids Cove) is brilliant with most Northerly winds

and sheltered from SW around.

 

[tyce]

Thanks everyone for the great replys, things are alot clearer now.
Apologies i did mean Dinorwic not Dinllaen althogh i do want to visit the latter.
Keeping fingers crossed for the weather.

 

[TSB240]

Let us know when you are in the area.

We are based in Port Dinorwic Dock and are usually around most weekends.

Would be happy to show you around the area if you prefer some company and/ or are visiting new anchorages.

Dont be put off by all the scare stories Swellies are fine at the right times for a liitle un.


As you are a bilge keeler you get the same access as us with a lifting keel. I can highly recommend drying out at Abermenai or Pilots Cove LLandwyn as beach combing , dunes and barbecue oppurtunities for kids.

Second Steve,s recommendation for Red Wharf Bay but presonally prefer Traeth y Ora and Lligwy for peace and quiet in that area. There isa seal colony on Dulus island which will amuse all for hours. Dont forget your fishing lines(feathers are best) every time I have been to Moelfre, LLandwyn or Lligwy have been able to catch fish at anchorage for breakfast lunch or tea and usually only 5 mins before it is required....Our Kids took great delight in seeing head cut off a live fish....

Steve

 

[garvellachs]

There should be loads of room in either Conwy, or Deganwy, just across, though Conwy is much nearer to town. Or you could take a HM pontoon or mooring. There is a water taxi, that will take you to town. Or even from the Marina to town. Better ask though, things change.

Beaumaris will probably be on a buoy and you will need a dinghy to get ashore, better ask as I could not take the ground. But you can more or less use any empty buoy, all the way up the Straits.

Just before the first bridge, you will come across the Prince Maddog, right hand side. Or if it's not there, it's jetty. You can moor alongside, or on the jetty, but try to find out when the P Maddog is coming back, else you may have to move.

Alternate is to moor at a buoy near there and take the dinghy round her, here you will find a dinghy pontoon, which is about the easiest place to land in the straits. You will find pubs and shops close by.

SWellies passage for you, is Liverpool HW, which is slack. Dont try it any other time, less you have a few hundred HP.

Next is Port Dinorwick, either through the lock, or the council estate marina just next door. Best to ask PD HM for where you want. Else there are mooring buoys outside.

I'd go into the lock, cos thats more fun and where everything happens, for what it is. Dont go to the hotel there. walk down the umm, South side of the lock and go through the housing estate, ask some one. Then a little path, you will come to a great little pub, good food and on the waters edge.

Conarfon, two choices. Into the marina. (You may have to raft) and it has a sill gate. Or to the slate harbour, where you will have to ask for the bridge to be moved. Ask SeaRush, thats where he is.

In Conarfon, there is loads to do and you can go for a day trip on a steam train, over the mountains. Bit expencive but well worth it.

Swellies slack is about 2 hours before HW Liverpool surely? At HW Liverpool it will be a bit lively I reckon. Chartlet here:

http://www.cmbha.net/tide/the-swellies/

 

[tyce]

Let us know when you are in the area.

We are based in Port Dinorwic Dock and are usually around most weekends.

Would be happy to show you around the area if you prefer some company and/ or are visiting new anchorages.

Dont be put off by all the scare stories Swellies are fine at the right times for a liitle un.


As you are a bilge keeler you get the same access as us with a lifting keel. I can highly recommend drying out at Abermenai or Pilots Cove LLandwyn as beach combing , dunes and barbecue oppurtunities for kids.

Second Steve,s recommendation for Red Wharf Bay but presonally prefer Traeth y Ora and Lligwy for peace and quiet in that area. There isa seal colony on Dulus island which will amuse all for hours. Dont forget your fishing lines(feathers are best) every time I have been to Moelfre, LLandwyn or Lligwy have been able to catch fish at anchorage for breakfast lunch or tea and usually only 5 mins before it is required....Our Kids took great delight in seeing head cut off a live fish....

Steve

Thats a very kind offer, arrival date is fairly open, i have a couple of weeks to spare starting from 4th August so i will be watching the weather closely, and heading down when the sun shines!