Port Dinorwic marina

[Doghousekeeper]

Anyone got any experience of the marina at Port Dinorwic? (Y Felinheli)

I was thinking of trying to stop over there when I'm heading down to Milford Haven from Belfast, and doing a spot of hill-walking for a few days, but a couple of people have put me off - saying it isn't a very good place to be ... not very friendly, difficult to get in and out, and parking under the trees turns your decks green.

It still looks well-placed, but I'm not sure. Anyone out there able to help?

 

[Searush]

There are many alternatives, but PD is behind lock gates so access is limited, but shelter is total. The water in there is brackish which can be useful to reduce bottom fouling. there ias a small marina just next to the PD lock gates (Major Catastrophe lives there) but it is very small marina and even my 32' Pentland finds it a tight squeeze.

If you want to go into the hills, go to Victoria Dock, or better still the slate quay (if you can dry out) in Caernarfon. The Welsh Highland Railway (steam narrow guage) runs from near the slate quay & will take you through the heart of Snowdonia with a halt on one of the summit path. There is also bike hire available too & you can take the bikes on the railway & ride bake along a good cycle path.

Google Welsh highland railway.

 

[Kawasaki]

The Marina is very sheltered as Searush said.
The outer Basin dries out to soft mud at Springs.
The inner dock is 3 hours either side , ish.
The locals are friendly.

Little Ship
MajorCatastrophe are berthed there.
In fact just ate with them and had a Nosh too at the Marina.
Paid for by a Member of staff of IPC!!!!
I Shanghied said Member of staff from the North Wales boat show.
Where IPC have a 'Motor Boats Monthly' stand.
Which ends tomorrow incidently.

Plus wp1234
Philiz
Pollyanna

Some of the other Forumites based there.
So there will be a welcome.
Oh plus me!!

We will need to know in advance if you are coming
You will need to stock up the Drinks Cabinet!!!
Mr Searush the Sage however.
Has made some valid points.
Access to the ameanities/attractions mentioned are very handy from Victoria dock which is just up the Straits a bit.

Victualling is now better at Dinorwic since the Restraunt has been revamped/reopened.
Can reccomend the Cod and Chips.
Actually would have had the Steak.
But when I oredered I thought I might be in the 'Chair'
Dammit, didn't know IPC would be paying.
Slipped up there.

Anyway, tough choice.
But let us lot know.
There IS a Welcome in the Hillsides

 

[hlb]

Nothing wrong with PD Little Ship lives there. Access about 3hours either side HW, as is Conarvon. Both very friendly. Conarvon is yer average town center marina type place run by council. Mark HM is very helpfull. PD is more remote but there are shops and pubs close by. You tie to the harbour wall, no probs as no tide behind the lock. PD is a nice place, suppose you might get a few leaves.

 

[hlb]

UUp's forgot to say Kwackers is there, so maybe not.!!

 

[mortehoe]

As they all said, It's a lovely place

It's not unfriendly. The management are very helpful. The marina and it's surrounds are almost unique .... especially yr Garddfon --- a pub run by Billy (and erstwhile by Colin as well) and his daughter Penny ---- great food at reasonable prices. Then there's the Sail Loft Restaurant which I can never find open but am assured that it does open some times!!! If you really want to find a sailor unfriendly place then go the Gazelle with welly boots on opposite Bangor Pier .... They will throw you out!!!!

I'm round the corner from Port Dinorwic (it's only Yr Felinheli on roadmaps and signposts) in Rowen Bay where the swans knock on the hull and ask for breakfast + there are herons that live in trees!!!

Access to the hills: by bus to Caernarfon >> Llanberis/Nant Peris/Pen y Pass or bus to Bangor >> Bethesda/Ogwen Cottage/Capel ..... Not the easiest of toing and froing.

As Searush says - Victoria Dock is better placed for you to get to the hills .... by bus (Google Sherpa Bus) and Caernarfon has better fish and chips! .... PLUS, if you get on the right side of Searush he might invite you into the inner sanctum!!!

Gotta rush. I'm off to help a RW member stuck in Crosshaven get back to the Menai Strait

 

[hlb]

A beter maybe quicker route, would be maybe Holyhead to Pwutheely.

 

[Doghousekeeper]

Thanks everyone.

Now I'm torn. Port Dinorwic sounds not too bad after all, and lots of fun people to meet. Caernarfon sounds maybe more useful (the missus picked up immediately on the "town centre" reference!). I hadn't thought of Holyhead as an option, but that makes a lot of sense in terms of the passage down, and if it's easier to get to the hills that might make for a good plan.

Hmmm. Have to think now

 

[savageseadog]

For the passage Holyhead is the place to stop. Going down the Menai Strait is very much taking the back roads. If you want some walks and spectacular scenery then look no further than Holyhead mountain, the area between South and North stacks is incredible, far better than you might think sat in Holyhead. If it has to be Snowdonia then take the train (the bus is ridiculously slow) to Bangor.

 

[Searush]

Swmbo's comment on Holyhead is not printable. The harbour is somewhat exposed & suffers from big wash off the fast cat ferries to Ireland. The town is some distance away and the shops are poor. The marina visitor berths are on the exposed outside of the pontoons. For a quick break on passage, fine - but as a destination in it's own right? Not for us anyway.

Your call, passage makers do tend to like Holyhead as it is deep water, has no critical tide gates (such as C'fon Bar, Puffin sound or Swellies) plus all tide access. But the N Coast of Anglesey is rocky, lacks shelter & has several small rocky islets & reefs with overfalls & races. Potterers like me prefer the slower Straits passage (at 2hrs before HW Liverpool) - it is beautiful & sheltered with lots of places of interest to visit - a destination in its own right. In general, passengers prefer the Straits.

 

[colvic987]

scenic menai straits vs holyhead

If you require a memorable visit, then a trip into the straits is advisable,especially if you haven't visited before, maybe get to holyhead from belfast then decide if you are able to make a detour, thru the swellies from puffin island (ne entrance) and take a trip thru to victoria dock, then out thru carnarfon bar, to porth dinaellen, ready for bardsey sound, if you have been thru before and/or havent the time then holyhead would be the place to leave from to get the tide down the coast..

 

[DogWatch]

There are many alternatives, but PD is behind lock gates so access is limited, but shelter is total. The water in there is brackish which can be useful to reduce bottom fouling. there ias a small marina just next to the PD lock gates (Major Catastrophe lives there) but it is very small marina and even my 32' Pentland finds it a tight squeeze.

If you want to go into the hills, go to Victoria Dock, or better still the slate quay (if you can dry out) in Caernarfon. The Welsh Highland Railway (steam narrow guage) runs from near the slate quay & will take you through the heart of Snowdonia with a halt on one of the summit path. There is also bike hire available too & you can take the bikes on the railway & ride bake along a good cycle path.

Google Welsh highland railway.

Is that the wall under the carpark?

I have always been concerned with security leaving the boat there as a lot of drunks always seem to land there at chucking out time. Has it ever been a problem?

We have had some comfortable nights on the visitor moorings by the floating restaurant in the past, are they still there?

 

[markdj]

Holyhead marina's visitor berths seem to be on the outside of the marina breakwater which means you get alot of slapping. When we plugged in, the power was out of phase so we had to use an extension lead to get to another socket that was working safely. It certainly is the most handy and direct for your passage.

PD is lovely but you do need to time the tide right for entry. We did the Menai strait 4 years ago at Easter and had a lovely time.

 

[Searush]

Is that the wall under the carpark?

I have always been concerned with security leaving the boat there as a lot of drunks always seem to land there at chucking out time. Has it ever been a problem?

We have had some comfortable nights on the visitor moorings by the floating restaurant in the past, are they still there?

Yes, This is my 3rd year there & less trouble than at Conway. It is a small place so people are friendly. Drunks do not normally go near the edge as those that do end up in the river. Fri & Sat nights you do get young drunks racing hot hatchbacks round the castle with stereos blaring until the early hours, but plod do keep an eye on it & a phone call will bring them if it persists.

There is a visitor mooring off the entrance but I don't think it has a strop, you willl need to lassoe it & feed your own through the eye. In the river you are in the heart of the town & shelter is perfect, but you do need to be comfortable with drying.