Experience a physical challenge and stunning landscape

What is kayaking?

Kayaking is the use of a low-to-water, one person boat with a closed deck (or, increasingly, a sit-on-top inflatable) with a double bladed paddle. While many people will have become aware of kayaking as a white-water vessel, it was originally created thousands of years ago by Inuit tribes in the northern, Arctic region.

Due to the versatile nature of the kayak, kayaking is a little difficult to pin down – and is used as everything from a mid-range vessel for diving (in sufficiently sheltered areas) to fishing and wildlife safaris.

For beginner to intermediate level kayakers:

• Moelfre: – Great for families looking for a day on the water, Moelfre (along with many of the beginner level zones) has excellent amenities, with public toilets, a coastal café and public car park available alongside a launch site and nearby lifeboat station. Intermediate level kayakers will find more of a challenge a little further from the coast where the tidal flow hits around three knots.
• Traeth Bychan: – Traeth Bychan is another possible launch site on the east coast of the island which offers shelter from prevailing southwesterly winds. Again, intermediate level kayakers will find a tougher challenge a little further out from the coast.
• Benllech: – Again located on the east coast of the island, just south of Traeth Bychan, Benllech is another beginner level area with excellent amenities, with more parking, another café and public toilets available alongside a launch site. As with the previous two east coast spots, there’s a tougher paddle a little further out from the coast.
• Beaumaris: – Moving down to the south east coast, Beaumaris is perfectly set up for beginners, with a lifeboat station, launch site, café, parking and toilets available alongside a bait and tackle shop for kayak fishers and is near to a local training provider.
• Rhosneigr: – Beautiful Rhosneigr (we say, completely impartially) is a fantastic location with a launch site and parking available and, for lucky individuals staying at certain, nearby, boutique guest houses, walking distance from a hot shower. Again, Intermediate kayakers will find a three-and-a-half knot tidal flow a short paddle from the shore.
• Porth Swtan (Church Bay): – On the north west of the island, Porth Swtan lacks some of the amenities of the other areas, but does tend to be a little quieter; there is a car park and a launch site, however, so there’s enough to get you in the water. However, there are a couple of hazardous areas to the north and south, so beginners will need to stay reasonably near to shore.

For advanced level or experienced kayakers:

• Llaneilian: – With its own launch area, kayaking at Llanelian will offer a challenge for most, with a three knot tidal flow, breaking waves and exposure to the prevailing winds. 
• Menai Bridge: – A serious challenge, Menai Bridge has an eight knot tidal flow that will work the arms of any kayaker, but there is a coastal café available to rest them in afterwards before you try to drive home. There’s also a launch site and public toilets available and a local training provider.
• Moel y Don: – Right on the south coast, Moel y Don is a launch site only, but does offer a fantastic place to find a really challenging course with five knot tidal flows and breaking waves.
• Traeth Llanddwyn (Newborough): – Just around the south coast, Traeth Llanddwyn benefits from the same five knot tidal flow as Moel y Don but, in addition to a launch site, Traeth Llanddwyn also has a public car park and toilets available.
• Cemlyn: – With a tidal flow of around five knots, and turbulent waters, Cemlyn presents a real challenge for experienced kayakers. There’s a launch site and public parking, but you’ll need to plan ahead for food.
• Cemaes: – As with Cemlyn, tidal flow and sea turbulence makes Cemaes an excellent spot for experienced kayakers, but there are additional amenities at Cemaes including public toilets, parking and a coastal café.

You can find plenty of additional kayaking information in the RNLI PDF linked to above or, about the various beaches mentioned, in our beaches section.

Where to Hire Equipment

Anglesey Sea Kayak Symposium

Canada Gardens,
Morrison Crescent,
Holyhead,
Anglesey,
LL65 2RD

With prices from £90 for a 3-day weekend and from £200 for a full week’s hire, Anglesey Sea Kayak Symposium represents a reasonably priced option for hire if you’re a beginner or not keen to transport your kayak to the island. With a large selection of Romany, Explorer and Greenlander sit-on-top kayaks (but with limited supply), there’s sure to be something to help you get out on the water.

Anglesey Pursuits

53 Maeshyfryd Road,
Holyhead,
LL65 2AW

With a variety of supervised trips running between 9am and 4:30pm, Anglesey Pursuits has a huge range of ride-on or sit-in kayaks on offer and only requires you to bring yourself and some sensible clothes (and a picnic for full day bookings). Prices for activities include:

 
With plenty of selection in terms of kayak and expert tuition and supervision on the day, Anglesey Pursuits is great for beginners, or for anyone wanting to take a step up to the next difficulty level with a little support.

Anglesey Activities

Porthdafarch Rd,
Holyhead,
LL65 2LP

Offering supervised activities running at three and a half hours per session, Anglesey Activities is able to provide a range of kayaks for any experience level – as well as wetsuits. You’ll need to take standard beach items (towel, costume, sun cream etc.)

Anglesey Activities cater for group activities (bookings of 8 people per instructor) and mostly for beginners with nearby calm water perfect for those kayakers just getting started. Prices for the half day are as follows:

 
Friendly and knowledgeable trainers make trips with Anglesey Activities perfect for families or groups with members that might need a little extra support.

Where to Book Lessons

Sea Kayaking Anglesey

Anglesey Outdoors,
Porthdafarch Road,
Holyhead,
LL65 2LP

Offering 12 options from beginner to advanced, including voucher purchase, bespoke courses, and theory courses for planning journeys up to 2 miles off-shore or for those looking to achieve their British Canoeing Advanced Sea Kayak Leader Award, Sea Kayaking Anglesey is a tremendous kayak training provider fortunate enough to be situated on an island with exceptional locations for the sport. Prices for courses do vary, but the following can be used as an approximate price:

 
With scores of fantastic reviews, and all the equipment provided if you need it (you’ll need a packed lunch and standard beach gear), Sea Kayaking Anglesey represents a fantastic option for getting started or getting out of your comfort zone.

Sea Kayaking Wales

Smithfield,
Bodorgan,
Anglesey,
LL62 5BL

With a team of enthusiastic and friendly coaches, the team at Sea Kayaking Wales are based a short walk from the Bodorgan railway station and boast decades of kayak coaching experience. With single day and multiple day training courses covering all levels of experience, and kayaking equipment included in the course prices, you’ll definitely find what you’re looking for. Sea Kayaking Wales conduct a wide variety of specialist days and courses, but example prices include:

 
You’ll need to bring something to eat and your standard beach gear (towel, change of clothes etc.) and weather appropriate clothes, but everything else is provided and there are a huge variety of courses on offer suitable for any level of experience.