Paddle boarding-Carmarthen to Ferryside

Paddle boarding-Carmarthen to Ferryside

From Carmarthen to the tidal sand flats where the longest river solely through Wales meets the sea. The Afon Twyi (River Towi) starts in the Cambrian Mountains and flows 120km to Camarthen Bay.

Leaving the town of Carmarthen, the river gradually widens as it meanders through meadows, rural fields and rolling hillsides past mudflats and saltmarshes that are home to thousands of overwintering waders. Redshanks and oyster catchers can be seen throughout the year along with herons and shellduck. On the final left bend of the route the Towy Boat Club’s slipway can be seen on the right. Further around, the ruins of the Norman-era Llansteffan Castle sits on a wooded promontory above the sands of Llansteffan. Paddle to Ferryside on the east bank and exit by the Lifeboat slipway.

Historically, an important crossing point for local people, traders, and pilgrims travelling west towards St David’s and Pembrokeshire, Ferryside once again has a ferry service – a modern amphibious seasonal ferry to Llansteffan. Return to Carmarthen by rail, the lines of which were first laid directly onto the shingle beach and now rebuilt upon an embankment. There are some good pitstops to refuel in before you leave. This tide-assisted route can be completed in either direction.

Distance 14km (one way)

Paddling environment : Estuary

Starting Point Carmarthen Carmarthen Rowing Club, The Quay Centre, Johnstown, Carmarthen, SA31 3LL. Grid ref. SN 409 198; What3Words healthier.engine.also; Lat/long 51.854, -4.311 Ferryside RNLI Slipway, Ferryside, Port Way, Carmarthenshire, SA17 5SF. Grid ref. SN 365 105; What3Words apply.smiles.etchings; Lat/long 51.769, -4.3704. Morris Travel, bus route 198, also has a frequent service between Carmarthen and Ferryside https://bustimes.org/operators/morris-travel
Parking Carmarthen Rail Station Car Park, Station Approach, Llangunnor, SA31 3JR. Grid ref. SN 412 197; What3Words foods.types.coats; Lat/long 51.852996, -4.3068914

Launching 400m walk from the Rail Station over Pont Kind Morgan Footbridge; follow footpath alongside River (downstream) to reach the Rowing Club’s pontoon

Pitstops Ferryside Full cooked breakfasts at the Ferry Cabin Café, Ferryside, tel. 01267 267084; friendly local in the market square, White Lion, tel. 01267 267214.

Getting there Carmarthen J49, M4 onto A48 towards Carmarthen; 3^rd exit on Pensarn roundabout on to A40 towards town centre; continue following signs to town centre on A484, then pick up signs to Rail Station Ferryside J49 M4 onto A48 W to Carmarthen; 1^st exit at roundabout onto A484 towards Llanelli; R onto B4038; L onto Alstred Street (one way) towards town centre; R onto Causeway Street towards town centre; L near to Kidwell Castle onto Ferry Road, then Port Way to Ferrside; R immediately to the Eva Terrace Car Park opposite the Ferry Cabin Café.

Special points

This is a tide assisted route so either start Carmarthen at HW or on a rising tide at Ferryside as soon as water levels permit (typically 3hrs before HW).

The estuary is exposed to SW prevailing winds but wind can also funnel down the estuary so check Surfline https://www.surfline.com at nearby Pendine sands or Pembrey for local conditions before choosing which starting point to depart from.