Paddle boarding in New Quay Wales

Paddle boarding in New Quay Wales

Enjoy a paddle around Bae Ceredigion’s sheltered, turquoise waters from this picturesque seaside town, or take a more adventurous coastal route to an old smuggler’s beach. This popular destination in Ceredigion offers a harbour and large sandy beaches, and there’s a good chance of spotting dolphins and seals on the way. To explore the bay locally, leave from Traeth y Dolau and head south past the main pier to the smaller Penpolion Pier. Above a small, sheltered golden-sand beach, you’ll see the RNLI station and slipway.

Stop off here to call in at the Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre (the small building on the walkway down to the RNLI station) to check dolphin sightings for the day. Back on the water, continue along the curve of Traeth Gwyn, backed by low rocky cliffs, to the small, wooded Llanina headland and tiny St. Ina’s Church. The sand and pebbles of quiet Cei Bach beach lie just beyond. Return the same way.

For a longer trip, paddle initially north along Traeth y Dolau, past the fish factory, then Carreg Walltog (Target Rock) to the caves and cliffs of New Quay Head near Birds Rock where the steep, tiered ledges are coloured white from bird guano. This is the best place for spotting a range of seabirds from guillemots that line the ledges to razorbills, kittiwakes, fulmars, shags, and gannets. Also look out for choughs and peregrines. Once around the headland, views stretch as far south as Aberporth. Continue, paddling close to the rugged coastline which features multiple inlets. You’ll now pass two remote beaches: Cwm Silio has a pretty backdrop of flower-covered slopes and a cave; then Castell Bach beach where you might see seals. Arrive at Cwmtydu and stop for a picnic beside the limekiln above the beach before the return journey. There are old smugglers’ caves cut into the cliffs and a small seasonal café slightly inland.

Distance New Quay to Cwmtydu 10.5km (return); Newquay to Cei Bach beach 5.6km (return)

Paddling environment : Coastal

Starting Point & Parking New Quay Dolau Beach next to New Quay Rock Street car park (charges), Prospect Place, New Quay, SA45 9PH. Grid ref. SN 388 601; What3Words connector.yarn.speared; Lat/long 52.216, -4.360 Cai Beach Cei Bach Beach (Little Quay Beach) next to Llanina Wood Car Park (charges), Llanllwchaiarn, New Quay, SA45 9SH Cwmtydu Cymtydu Cove Car Park (charges), Llwyndafydd, SA44 6DA. Grid ref. SN 355 575; What3Words formed.makeup.pedicure; Lat/long 52.191, -4.407

Launching Beaches all within short walk of car parks

Pitstops New Quay Great views, generous food, and paddler’s vibe, the SUP Shack, tel. 01545 560245; real ales, good food, perched above Cardigan Bay, the Black Lion, tel. 01545 560122

Lessons & trips Trips for experienced paddlers around New Quay Head or lessons in the sheltered harbour waters, Cardigan Bay Watersports, tel. 01545 561257 www.cardiganbaywatersports.org.uk; Andy at the well-stocked and super-friendly SUP Shack is always happy to give great advice about paddling in this location, tel. 01545 560245

Getting there A487 S from Aberystwyth as far as Llanarth, then turn R onto B4342 to New Quay. Turn R along Glanmore Terrace (one-way) and follow signs to Traeth/Beach parking, turning R again by Captain’s Rendezvous Fish Bar into Wellington Place to reach car park on L.

Special points New Quay Bay benefits from protection from SW winds but trip around New Quay headland can be exposed to swell, and is only protected from S winds. There are few landing spots on the trip to Cwmtydu at HW, but at LW all the coves and beaches offer exit points. Beware of building NW wind and swell when landing at Cwmtydu. Check Surfline www.surfline.com at nearby Llangrannog for local conditions.

Offshore wind: SW–SE