About Islandeering
Hi and welcome to Islandeering Islandeering is for people who want adventure in Britain’s wild blue spaces – our rivers, coast, lakes, canals and islands. You will find amazing walks, paddles and swims in the UK’s most special places, those recognised for outstanding natural beauty, incredible geology or special and abundant wildlife.
More About UsWe continuously find new islands, rivers, lochs, canals and coast to walk, SUP and swim in and meet plenty of great folks along the way. Join our community to get new routes and adventures, latest blogs and news by using the email box below. Tune in also to our Facebook and Instagram pages to see where we are going next.
Stretching from Carmarthen Bay in the south to the western Brecon Beacons and Cambrian Mountains in the north its three largest towns are Carmarthen, Llanelli and Ammanford. Carmarthenshire has plenty of blue spaces to explore from the gently flowing rivers like the Towy and the Teifi and their estuaries, ideal for paddleboarding and kayaking, to the stunning beaches of Pembrey and Llansteffan.
Nature enthusiast will love in the county’s diverse habitats, from the rolling hills and verdant valleys to the rugged coastal paths rich in wildlife and flora. The Brechfa Forest, with its array of trails, presents an enchanting backdrop for hikers and bikers, while the serene waters of the Lower Lleidl Reservoir offer tranquil spots for a leisurely paddle. Carmarthenshire, is a great location for paddlers, walkers and wildlife lovers alike.
Where to paddleboard in Carmarthenshire
Carmarthen Bay is an inlet on the south Wales coast that is blessed with some of Wales best beaches, like Pendine Sands and Cefn Sands. It encompasses the estuaries of the Rivers Loughor, Tâf, Tywi and the Gwendraeth which are all playgrounds for the paddler. There are extensive areas of intertidal mudflats, sandflats, and saltmarsh that are a haven for a huge diversity of wildlife that are often spotted when out on the water.
Paddleboarding in Carmarthenshire is mostly on tidal water, where care is needed on timings to ensure you avoid getting stuck on tidal flats and sands. Options include a tide-assisted paddle beneath romantic castle ruins and Dylan Thomas’s boathouse. A paddle from Carmarthen to tidal sand flats along the Towy, the longest that runs entirely within Wales; or upstream from Carmarthen to following the river’s impressive meanders through meadows.
Kidwelly Quay is the start point for an easy paddle through the Gwendraeth Valley from the oldest canal in Wales to Monty Python’s castle. On the coast Burry Port is a great place to start a paddle to explore the dunes and salt marsh of the Loughor Estuary. Carmarthenshire has few lakes for paddling, but tranquil, family-friendly Swiss Valley Reservoir, nestled within the wooded hillside just a short drive from Llanelli, more than makes up for this.
Where to paddle board in Carmarthenshire
See interactive map for all our routes
Carmarthen beaches
Carmarthenshire is blessed with wild beaches. Here are some of our favourites.
1.Burry Port sandy estuary and beach, with its well-known lighthouse, walk, swim or paddle on its two beaches where dogs are welcome year-round. Refuel with homemade cakes, soups, and sandwiches at the charming Harbour Light Tea Room. Alternatively, feast on rissoles, pies, and classic fish and chips at Josephs Fish Bar. Plenty of parking in Harbour car park, SA16 0ER (charges)
2.Cefn Sidan extensive and beautiful dunes and beach that stretches from Burry Port to Tywyn Point. Great views over Carmarthen Bay to spot Caldey Island, Lundy Island and Gower Peninsula. Pembrey Park car park (charges), SA16 0EJ; Grid ref. SN 402 000.
3.Ferryside 16km miles south of Carmarthen, at the mouth of the River Tywi, Ferryside was historically a fishing village at the heart of the Carmarthen Bay cockle picking industry; it was also a medieval crossing point, linking Kidwelly to Llansteffan. Today there is a new Glansteffan ferry service. Parking Water Street, SA17 5RY; Grid ref. SN 366 103.
4.Llanelli Part of the Millenium Coastal Park, Llanelli’s beach is very popular with locals and visitors alike. The beach stretches for about 1.5km along the shore of the estuary. Beachside St Elli’s Bay Bistro, Brasserie and Gelateria (tel. 01554 526006) is a great pitstop with good views. Parking https://www.pembreycountrypark.wales/things-to-do/millennium-coastal-park/
5.Llansteffan On the western side of the Tywi Estuary the pretty village of Llansteffan has a fine sand beach, especially at low tide. Overlooking the beach the 12th-century Llansteffan Castle sits perched on a cliff. Swimming is generally discouraged here due to dangerous currents. There is a beach café and pubs but our firm favourite is Florries, the fish and chip shop on the edge of the beach. Dogs are not permitted on the northern end of Llansteffan beach from 1st May to 30th September. Parking Church Road, Llansteffan, SA33 5LW; Grid ref. SN353104
6.Scott’s Bay Wild sandy beach backed by red sandstone cliffs, which is best reached by walking round from Llansteffan beach at low tide. On higer tides It can be reached from Llansteffan via the Wales Coast path. When the tide comes in Scott’s Bay is ideal for swimming with little current affecting the Bay.
7.Millennium Coastal Park Stretching for 20km along the Loughor Estuary, this former industrial wasteland, is now a green parkland. The Millennium Coastal Path, part of the Wales Coast Path, is a mostly flat, easily accessible walk and cycle path runs the length of the park. Things to see along the Millenium Coastal Path include the Llanelli Wetland Centre, North Dock Discovery Centre and Sandy Water Park, as well as several beaches along the way. Parking https://www.pembreycountrypark.wales/things-to-do/millennium-coastal-park/
8.Pendine Sands Beach An 11km stretch of beautiful beach, one of the longest and wildest in south Wales. Overlooked by dramatic cliffs at its western end, the flat golden sands at its eastern end have been used to break land speed world records. You can drive onto the beach at Pendine Sands to park on the beach. Pendine beach is popular for land yachting, and paddleboarding and paddleboards can be hired on Pendine beach. Note: the east of the beach may be closed by the MoD Monday – Friday during working hours. To check ahead contact Pendineinfo@qinetiq.comor check the weekly forecast. There are cafes, eateries and toilets close to the beach. Dogs are allowed on the beach all year round. Parking Pendine Beach Car Park, SA33 4PF. Grid ref. SN 235 080.
9.Morfa Bychan A hidden gem beach on the wilder section of the Carmarthenshire coastline. Morfa Bychan is a small, sheltered sandy beach at low tide with rock pools and remnants of a replica Atlantic Wall from WWII. Located between Gilman and Ragwen Points, there are sweeping views over Carmarthen Bay to Tenby and Gower. Limited parking makes it worthwhile to walk from west along the sand from Pendine Beach at low tide. Look out for the pyramidal tank defences. This is a wild beach with no facilities – nearest at Pendine Beach.
10.Telpyn Point, near Amroth Escape the crowds at Telpyn Point at the east end of Amroth Beach, at the Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire border. Telpyn Beach is a wide sandy beach backed by pebble banks, striking sandstone cliffs and smooth, wave-cut rock platforms for sun-bathing provides a tranquil spot for sunbathing. During low tide, you can walk east to the wild Marros Sands or westwards to Amroth in neighbouring Pembrokeshire. Parking Amroth, SA67 8NQ; Grid ref. SN 162 070, and walk east along the Wales Coast Path.
Where to go Paddleboarding in Carmarthenshire
We have shared some of our favourite routes below but more can be found on our interactive mapInteractive Map
Paddle boarding-Carmarthen to Ferryside
Paddle from Carmarthen to the tidal sand flats where the longest river solely through Wales meets the sea. The Afon Twyi (River Towi) starts in [...]
Walks in Camarthenshire
Walk the Wales Coast Path in Carmarthenshire
Embark on a captivating journey along the Carmarthenshire coast, where the Wales Coast Path reveals windswept beauty around Carmarthen Bay. Start in Amroth, where the path leads you to the expansive, sandy shores of Pendine, then on to Laugharne, home of the iconic poet, Dylan Thomas. From Laugharne, the Coast Path meanders inland to St Clears before heading south to the picturesque Llansteffan with its wooded slopes and a beach overlooked by the majestic Llansteffan Castle. Continue through Carmarthen, one of Wales’ oldest market towns, alleged home of the wizard Merlin, then on to Llansteffan, Ferryside, and onward to Kidwelly. The coast path then enters Pembrey Park, a sprawling 500-acre expanse of landscaped wood and parkland. Traverse the scenic beauty of Cefn Sidan Sands and follow the path to Burry Port Harbour. As you continue, join the Millennium Coastal Path, guiding you all the way to Llanelli – the largest town in Carmarthenshire. Either stop here or keep walking across the Loughor, to reach Gower Coast and a finale in Peclawdd, renowned for its delicious cockles.
We have shared some of our favourite routes below but more can be found on our interactive map.
