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.
About the Swansea Area
Straddling the foothills of South Wales, the towns of Swansea, Port Talbot, Neath, and the sprawling valleys that weave between them, were forged in fire and steel and coal that fuelled the Industrial Revolution. Today they offer a different kind of revolution, one fuelled by fresh air, adrenaline, and great scenery. This is a land where nature reclaims the past, transforming once-industrial landscapes into playgrounds for adventure seekers and nature lovers alike. Get just a taste of the outdoor adventure from Swansea Canal’s tranquil path, the mountain-biking paradise of Afan’s Trailblazing Heart, and the wonders of Waterfall Country to some of the best paddle boarding destinations in South Wales.
Where to paddleboard in Swansea
Swansea, the second city of Wales, straddles the River Tawe and sits in Swansea Bay on the Bristol Channel. The River Tawe is navigable by paddleboard for approximately 5km upstream from Swansea Marina, with a single launch site at White Rock Heritage Park. Options for paddleboarding inland include the Swansea Canal which runs from Abercraf to Swansea Docks, with 8km fully navigable around Clydach and Pontardawe with nature reclaiming the remainder of the canal. Most of the Swansea Canal’s towpath remains open for walking and cycling. A journey on the Swansea Canal, nestled at the bottom of the steep-sided Swansea Valley, passes through the popular Coed Gwilym Park Clydach, a good starting point for the canal paddle. Paddleboarding lakes near Swansea include the Lliw Reservoir nestled in the hills and moorland at the northern edge of the city and a great location for beginners and nature lovers.
Here some of the best Paddleboarding routes near Swansea
Paddleboard on the upper River Tawe
Paddleboarding on the lower River Tawe
Paddleboarding on the Lliw Reservoir
Paddleboarding on the Swansea Canal
See our interactive map for all other routes in the region
Where to paddleboard in Port Talbot, Neath and area
Overlooking Swansea Bay, Port Talbot and Neath, with their dockside cranes and steelworks and backdrop of the rolling hills, offer some unique landscapes for paddleboarding. Along the coast Small Beach at Aberavon, in the shadow of Port Talbot’s iconic cranes, provides some protection from the waves; while Porthcawl boasts three distinct bays to explore. For an estuary adventure head inland on the River Ogmore to paddle past the largest sand dune in Wales to reach the ruins of Ogmore Castle. Inland, the Neath Canal, a historic waterway that cuts through the wooded Neath Valley, offers two scenic routes for paddleboarders. Choose from the tranquil Resolven basin or the stretch between Ynysbwllog and the Aberdulais Aqueduct and Basin. There are lakes for paddleboarding near Neath and Port Talbot too. Spring Valley Lake is a spring-fed lake of clean, clear water and the option to combine paddling with camping. Margam Park is another great spot for paddleboarding. This picturesque park offers a variety of activities, including paddleboard yoga and paddleboard polo. So, whether you’re a seasoned paddler or a curious beginner, Port Talbot and Neath have something for everyone. Grab your board and hit the water to experience this post-industrial landscape from a new perspective.
Here are some of the best paddleboarding routes near Port Talbot, Neath and area
Paddleboard the Neath Canal Resolven
Paddleboarding the Neath Canal Aberdulas
Paddleboarding Spring Valley Lakes
Paddleboarding at Parc Margam
Paddleboarding at The Small Beach, Aberavon
Paddleboarding the Porthcawl Bays
Paddleboarding the Afon Ogwr (River Ogmore)
Where to go Paddleboarding in and around Swansea
We have shared some of our favourite routes below but more can be found on our interactive mapInteractive Map
Walks in Swansea
We have shared some of our favourite routes below but more can be found on our interactive map.
