Wales- Solva to Porth Clais- by Sea Kayak.

Arches,caves,tunnels,paddle throughs,a shipwreck or two,fabulous scenery and geology,and all in crystal clear water.Sound good? well,it's even better than that!! This trip is a classic,one of the most consistantly interesting stretches of coastline,that I have paddled,and there are no tides to worry about.
It all starts at Solva,which is approx. 4 miles East of S.t Davids,or 8 West of Haverfordwest,in West Wales U.K.A little further West,and you arrive at Ramsey Island,which is one of the Hot spots for Welsh Sea Kayaking.This day though a North East 4-5 was forecast,and this coast is perfect for shelter in those conditions.The start was from the carpark at Solva(£5 per day- Boo)and there are 3 slips to choose from,each one gradually closer to the open sea,as it all dries out on Low Water spring tides,as does Porth Clais,the turning point.I left at 11am,I think High water was about 8am.The trip down the harbour,is excellent in itself,and as soon as you reach the open sea,the action starts immediatly - and never lets up! My first visit here was in Oct. 09.The sea was flat calm,clear as Gin,but it was a very dull day,otherwise that trip would've been posted,as that was superb as well.What strikes you is the amount of interest,it never lets up,gullies,amazing Geology and just fascinating points of interest - the wreck being a prime example.About a mile from the harbour is 1 of the 3 tugs wrecked hereabouts in Oct. 1981.They were on tow from Liverpool,and the one towing fouled it's propellor,and the anchor failed to hold.The tugs had several names,but were originally - Formby,Collingwood and Canada.In the next bay beyond the wreck you see,are the remains of the other 2,much more broken up,but still interesting,left out of the video,like a lot of other excellent points,due to lack of time(10mins)Proceeding West,there are much more bays,tunnels,ever changing colour and type of rock,and just never a dull moment.I had lunch in Caerfai Bay which is accessible via some wooden steps,from a small car park at the top.Then on to Porth Clais,which had totally dried out.Last time I paddled right up to the car park at the top.It is remarkably like Boscastle,when first entered.Turning back,the wind and swell increased,and tucking in under the cliffs gave great shelter.I stopped at S.t Nons bay,with the monastry visible atop the cliffs,there is a superb paddle through cave here,but dried out when I was present.I have had to leave whole sections of the trip out due to lack of time,I try to avoid having too long of a video,and resisted temptation to make it a two parter.If you follow my tracks,you will be amazed how much additional stuff there is to see and do.This is a very easy trip to do,suitable for beginners,given calm conditions,and tides are not a consideration,only for accessing the upper reaches of the harbours,so my advice would be - DO IT.

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• Wales
• sea kayaking
• Solva
• Porth Clais
• S.t Nons Bay
• Caerfai Bay
• S.t Brides Bay
• Sea Caves
• Sea Arch
• Sea Tunnel
• Ramsey
• Island
• Carreg-
• y-Barcud
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• Great
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• U.K.

[Voodooacid69]

Hi Frank love this vid, what a coast and easy enough for beginers you say? I will definitely be trying this next summer. Just to let you know, I picked my kayak up on Saturday and had a couple of hours on the river Avon between Warwick and Leamington. Great views of Warwick castle from the river. Thanx for the advice on cold water, have wetsuit and life jacket. This sat Warwick to Stratford on Avon.

[GBPaddling]

@Voodooacid69 It's a doddle, and is one of the most consitantly interesting trips I've done. There are no boring bits at all. Best started at high water Solva, and just lose yourself out there,it's wonderful. If I'm down there,and the wind blows from the North,then good shelter can be had there.As long as you don't go into Ramsey sound, then there is little tidal flow to worry you.The wreck is excellent,and wreckage is in the next bay.Go the other way to Newgale is not as good, but still OK.

[PUSSYTICKLER01]

good video !keep posting!

[GBPaddling]

@PUSSYTICKLER01 Will do,there is another one shortly from the same trip,out from Porthgain - good stuff,especially for April.

[stevenatleven]

Great video Frank,I am keeping a list for my summer hols in case I go to Wales.

High pressure coming in this weekend so off to the Hebrides.

Have a good weekend

[GBPaddling]

@stevenatleven Lucky you,I may get to Anglesey or Trevor,Matt's been on and is chomping at the bit ha ha.Make sure you post a video,one of the places,I'd like to go,but the Ferry is just one too many hurdles most of the time.S.t Kilda is one of the ultimate places to visit,but you sure need the weather out there.

[Johlibaptist]

Great video. Well done. You know that I love your videos. Keep posting!

[GBPaddling]

@Paulmanorbier Well that is high praise indeed Paul thankyou.The sound is easily overlooked,and I think it is essential,the atmosphere on some of these paddles,and the coast generally is fantastic,and a huge part of the experience,just imagine the seaside without the sound of Gulls? wouldn't be the same would it?

[Paulmanorbier]

Great video - superb quality and sound

[GBPaddling]

@denimtilldeath Might find it a bit big,and maybe a bit worn ha ha