Mwmbwls (Mumbles) Paddleboard Route

Enjoy the Swansea Bay views from Victorian pier and islets to a hillside castle and cityscapes. Sweeping from Mumbles in the west, around Swansea to Port Talbot in the east the generally protected waters of the bay have plenty to discover. Start from Knab Rock in the village of Mumbles, known as the gateway to Gower and renowned for the cafes, pubs and ice cream parlours that line the promenade. Head south east to pass the old lifeboat station and then Mumbles Pier. Built as the terminus for the world’s first passenger railway between Mumbles and Swansea, this listed Victorian pleasure pier retains its arcade and entertains visitors today. The tidal islets of Middle Head and Mumbles Head, with its lighthouse, can be seen beyond the pier – although paddling between them is only advised for the experienced due to very strong currents. To return head north west back up Swansea Bay where the squat towers of Norman Oystermouth Castle can be spotted on the hillside. Paddle beyond Knab Rock to the Clyne River estuary to find Blackpill Beach – a haven for local birds and migratory birds in the winter. Further around the bay, there is a refreshment stop at the Secret Beach Bar and Kitchen – right on the beach.  

Route map

Paddling environment 4

Starting Point Knab Rock, Mumbles, Swansea, SA3 4EN. Grid ref. SS626 876; What3Words habits.rifled.defends: Lat/long 51.570, -3.983

Parking Knab Rock Car Park (charges), Mumbles Road, Mumbles, SA3 4EL. Grid ref. SS 626 876; What3Words hippy.ever.sinkhole: Lat/long 51.571, -3.984

Launching Slipway next to car park

Pitstops Paninis and home-made icecream, Verdis, tel. 01792 369135; excellent coffee, Mumbles Coffee, www.mumblescoffee.co.uk; pie and pint, Gower Brewery Tap Room, tel. 01792 850681

Hire & trips The SUP Hut, tel. 01792 446511, www.thesuphut.co.uk

Getting there J42, M4 onto A483, follow signs to city centre then Gower on the A4067; straight ahead onto Mumbles Road; L into car park

Special points

Best on a rising neap tide 2hrs before HW to paddle towards the pier as the flood tide will take you away from the pier and also assist your trip N around the bay before it turns and will assist you back to the start.  Do not paddle near the pier on a spring ebb as the flow will push you towards the stantions at an alarming rate. The bay will completely empty on a spring LW making this a HW paddle only. The bay is exposed to wind so check Surfline https://www.surfline.com at Swansea Bay for local conditions.

Offshore Wind: NW