Pembrokeshire-SUP, SUP Wales
Paddleboarding-Abercastle and Ynys Y Castell
Abercastle and Ynys Y Castell
A craggy islet at the mouth of family-friendly Abercastle Bay, Ynys y Castell is a fun island to paddle around. Abercastle’s charming historic harbour once exported local slate and grain, limestone, butter, honey, corn, and coal and today, managed by Abercastle Boat Owners Association, is busy with colourful fishing and leisure boats. The entrance to this long rocky inlet is guarded by the rugged and wild islet of Ynys y Castell where a promontory fort crowns the island’s high point.
To circumnavigate the island leave Abercastle beach and head through the moored boats to reach the small channel between the south tip of the island and mainland. There is a cave to look into on the east side of the island. If conditions permit continue anti-clockwise around the base of the tall cliffs exploring its rocky inlets, to find another large cave on its western side. The trip can be extended, if conditions permit, to Ynys Deullyn, a short distance north-west of the inlet’s entrance.
Route map:
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Starting Point Abercastell Beach, Abercastle, SA62 5AF. Grid ref. SM 852 336; What3Words relatives.restore.crumple; Lat/long 51.960, -5.127
Parking Limited parking (charges) next to slipway to beach
Getting there A87 S of Goodwick/Fisguard; R to Mathry, through village to top of Mathry Hill; R at T-junction and follow road (ignoring multiple junctions) to Abercastell. Follow road downhill, turn R in front of white house (before heading uphill) to follow river to harbour
Special points Protected bay from all but N winds, check Surfline https://www.surfline.com at nearby Abereiddy for local conditions. Best on a rising tide 2hrs either side of HW as bay can drain out all the way to the island but N of island can be explored at any state of the tide in calm conditions. Offshore wind: SE in bay, S around island
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