Spreading my wings - Porth Dinllaen via Bardsey Island

Tryweryn

Tryweryn

Well-Known Member
Joined
25 May 2012
Messages
286
Location
Pwllheli
Visit site
This is the real first real major trip so I want to get it right.

I was thinking a trip from Pwllheli to Porth Dinllaen via Bardsey Island via the following.

"pass inshore of St. Tudwal's Island, and pick up the reverse eddy close to Trwyn Cilan. Stay close inshore across Hell's Mouth and pass inshore of the two Ynys Gwlan Islands into Aberdaron Bay. Once in the Sound hold NW'ly course until well clear of both the Sound and the Tripods before turning for Caernarfon."

I was thinking about leaving Pwllheli tonight at high tide or an hour after and going straight for Aberdaron bay and anchoring there. Or if I want to go through Bardsey tonight, what is the best time to pass through?

I kinda was thinking if HW is 18:30 then start past St. Tudwal's about 21.00 or have I got it wrong?

Many thanks if anyone has done it or can advise.
 
No experience of that particular passage, but I would aim to pass thro Bardsey sound at LW slack which eliminates pretty much any issue with the sound or the Tripods. It means you get tidal help north towards the Bar (C1 is off station at present). Not sure how it affects the approach to Bardsey or why you feel the need to go inshore of the small islands.
 
Many thanks. That seems to be a recommended route on a sailing website. http://www.sailingalmanac.com/Almanac/Navigation/bardseysound.html
I get the impression from reading that if you get it wrong the current is very strong and if I had to rely on the engine alone it only gives about 6knots.

L.W. slack - occurs in the sound at approximately 2.25 hours after low water I think. L.W. = 1.30 so L.W. slack is about 4 a.m. I think.
 
Tryweryn said:
Many thanks. That seems to be a recommended route on a sailing website. http://www.sailingalmanac.com/Almanac/Navigation/bardseysound.html
I get the impression from reading that if you get it wrong the current is very strong and if I had to rely on the engine alone it only gives about 6knots.

L.W. slack - occurs in the sound at approximately 2.25 hours after low water I think. L.W. = 1.30 so L.W. slack is about 4 a.m. I think.
Click to expand...

That means there will be one at about 3.20pm.

Port Dinllaen is not far from Bardsey & you can enter at any tide state, so I might be inclined to get there for tea time. get your self sorted at anchor, have a bite to eat & go ashore to watch the sunset from the Golf Course headland behind the new Lifeboat station, then you can follow the path down for a pint at the Ty Coch & potter back to the boat for a snooze.

On the way back, carry the ebb & you will fly thro the sound, having already done it once at slack, you can experience the fairground ride on the way home. Don't know when you can re enter Pwhelli or where you can wait safely for water tho.

BTW, there is NO shame it bottling out. If for ANY reason you are not happy, just turn away & go somewhere you are happier with. There are no prizes for being macho or even uncomfortable.
 
Last edited:
Aberdaron is only really a useful anchorage with wind in the north. If there is much of it the trip north along the Lleyn peninsula might get rather choppy. As Searush says, Bardsey sound is the critical bit, pretty much essential to hit that at LW slack. Provided you do I have always gone inside the Tripods, sticking close to the coast. If late though, do as you say.
 
I appreciate this searush. But I'm probably missing something but if Low tide is 1:30 and L.W. slack is 2.25hrs after L.W. is that about 4:00?
The only reason I'm going through the sound is to get to Porth Dinllaen faster. I live close by so would like to get there and back in 24hrs as a sort of goal. Maybe I would be quicker going around Bardsey.
I have no problems bottling out lol I did a few weeks ago as the weather was so bad. Boat repairs and damage to me are to expensive. My main worry is I get into some kind of flow where my 20hp betamarine can not power the boat against it and I get dragged over a rock.

Pwllheli after dredging is now 24hr...yaaay lol At low tide you still need to keep to the main channel as the silt seems to be coming back fast.
 
Always go through the sound on LW slack. That way you'll get a good lift onwards northwards. If you haven't done it before, I wouldn't go through at night. 9 times out of ten (or more) Bardsey is quite benign as Vyv says you can go inside the Tripods. If you miss the tide you can go outside the island keeping to the 5m contour.
Don't underestimate the time taken to get from P to B - its farther than you think.
 
Last edited:
So you don't go aground and stay inside any off liers. It takes a lot longer to go around rather than through so it pays not to miss slack water.
 
Tryweryn said:
This is the real first real major trip so I want to get it right.

I kinda was thinking if HW is 18:30 then start past St. Tudwal's about 21.00 or have I got it wrong?
Click to expand...

I would advise you to do it in daylight. Aberdaron will be fine with the current N wind forecast but Porth Dinllaen may not. Don't anchor too close in at Aberdaron as there are some big boulders lurking off the beach.
 
I'm probably missing something but if Low tide is 7:07 and L.W. slack is 2.25hrs after L.W. is that about 9:32? Is it that simple.
 
Last edited:
Tryweryn said:
I'm probably missing something but if Low tide is 7:07 and L.W. slack is 2.25hrs after L.W. is that about 9:32? Is it that simple.
Click to expand...

Slack Bardsey Sunday 7th September is approx 9.30am. Predictions for slack in Bardsey always seem a bit approximate. The forecast is for a low F4 N, plenty of sun, but cooler than late. It's mid-way between neaps and springs. At slack water it will be a pussycat. If you went with a bit of tide with you there may be a few lumpy bits but nothing unpleasant. If there are any breaking waves you can easily avoid them as the sound is so wide. If there is any tide pushing you through (either way) stay well clear of the islet close to the mainland. It's easy to get pushed on to this without being aware it's happening. There's a rock awash over the other side, but it's well over and you can usually see it. Keep it in mind though if you are tacking through.
 
Last edited:
Even with a northerly Aberdaron can be rolly as the current sweeps around the bay and as AngusNcdoon says PD is certainly not a place to be with the persistant northerlies
 
akyaka said:
Even with a northerly Aberdaron can be rolly as the current sweeps around the bay and as AngusNcdoon says PD is certainly not a place to be with the persistant northerlies
Click to expand...

If the OP goes through at slack in the morning starting from Aberdaron he could get whizzed up to Porth Dindoodlywatsit, stop for lunch and a beer on the beach, then when the tide turns whizz back through Bardsey and take the tide all the way back until it gives up at the Tudwals. It would mean coming back through Bardsey in a SE direction when the tide is running, but it's tamer in that direction and would be wind with tide anyway.

I don't bother sneaking inside the islands near Aberdaron or going inshore at Hell's Mouth when heading for Peelyweely. I just join the dots, well the headlands anyway, and then go inside the Tudwals.
 
AngusMcDoon said:
If the OP goes through at slack in the morning starting from Aberdaron he could get whizzed up to Porth Dindoodlywatsit, stop for lunch and a beer on the beach, then when the tide turns whizz back through Bardsey and take the tide all the way back until it gives up at the Tudwals. It would mean coming back through Bardsey in a SE direction when the tide is running, but it's tamer in that direction and would be wind with tide anyway.

I don't bother sneaking inside the islands near Aberdaron or going inshore at Hell's Mouth when heading for Peelyweely. I just join the dots, well the headlands anyway, and then go inside the Tudwals.
Click to expand...

I'd go for that.

If you want an overnight in Northerlies, do you have the time to make Llandwyn? Perfect place to overnight with wind in the North & a fabulous place to explore,
 
Searush said:
I'd go for that.

If you want an overnight in Northerlies, do you have the time to make Llandwyn? Perfect place to overnight with wind in the North & a fabulous place to explore,
Click to expand...

Much prefer Pen Y Parc in Northerlies
 
Nothing to be gained going inside Tudwalls if tide against. Go south of them but avoid offlying rock (buoyed). If anchoring at Aberdaeron , come in on line of road between pub and church and you should avoid rocks. Anchor in suitable depth for bilge /fin.
AngusMcDoon said:
If the OP goes through at slack in the morning starting from Aberdaron he could get whizzed up to Porth Dindoodlywatsit, stop for lunch and a beer on the beach, then when the tide turns whizz back through Bardsey and take the tide all the way back until it gives up at the Tudwals. It would mean coming back through Bardsey in a SE direction when the tide is running, but it's tamer in that direction and would be wind with tide anyway.

I don't bother sneaking inside the islands near Aberdaron or going inshore at Hell's Mouth when heading for Peelyweely. I just join the dots, well the headlands anyway, and then go inside the Tudwals.
Click to expand...
 
Tryweryn said:
This is the real first real major trip so I want to get it right.

I was thinking a trip from Pwllheli to Porth Dinllaen via Bardsey Island via the following.

"pass inshore of St. Tudwal's Island, and pick up the reverse eddy close to Trwyn Cilan. Stay close inshore across Hell's Mouth and pass inshore of the two Ynys Gwlan Islands into Aberdaron Bay. Once in the Sound hold NW'ly course until well clear of both the Sound and the Tripods before turning for Caernarfon."

I was thinking about leaving Pwllheli tonight at high tide or an hour after and going straight for Aberdaron bay and anchoring there. Or if I want to go through Bardsey tonight, what is the best time to pass through?

I kinda was thinking if HW is 18:30 then start past St. Tudwal's about 21.00 or have I got it wrong?

Many thanks if anyone has done it or can advise.
Click to expand...

I well remember the first time we did Bardsey, got it wrong, went thru at 13kts over the ground! If going north or to PD go thru at lo water slack, which by the way is different to lo water local!

If it takes you 3 hrs to get to Bardsey (go between the islands and the mainland up the middle, clip the headlands, watch out for pots, bit bumpy but nothing to worry about at Cilan Head and then head for the middle of the sound) you need to leave Pwllheli before lo water Pwllheli. I used to leave about 1 hr 20mins before lo water P. This then got me to B at lo water SLACK. If you want to do it more scientifically follow Reeds advice. The issue nowadays is can you get out at that time? Have they dredged so that you canp? Otherwise go to Abersoch the night before, drop the hook and enjoy a good nights sleep, unless there is any east in the wind! I never liked Aberdaron, too many variables to think about.
S
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top