CWM YR EGLWYS – DINAS CROSS

This beautiful little cove is what we mean when we insist you try paddleboarding in Wales. If you are the sort of boarder who wants to daydream, glide, observe, relax, then Cwm yr Eglwys is the millpond for you.

This is one of the most sheltered bays we’ve encountered with sandy beach (at low tide) and crystal clear waters. Actually termed a ‘hamlet’, Cwm yr Eglwys will have you feeling like you’ve stepped back in time. Firstly, you’ll leave a walled shore and glide into a clear bay amongst rock pools teeming with life. Next, if you aim for low tide and head west, you’ll find a secluded beach that only intrepid rock clamberers or the very determined will reach. 

This day out is a peaceful one, and an excellent start for those new to the board. Take a book and a flask in your dry bag and prepare to have a salt-water day that’s good for the soul. However, If you don’t want to stop there, Newport and many nearby secluded bays are accessible from here too.

THE PARROG – NEWPORT

Wales has an abundance of secret little wonders, and paddle boarding at The Parrog at sunset, feeling like you’ve stepped into a watercolour, is one of them. While this spot is fairly inhospitable as it’s only really suitable at high tide, it’s all the more exclusive and exciting when you time it right.

Access to the water is available from two slipways, the beach, or from a jetty at the rear of the Sailing Club. From here you can manoeuvre around the boats and take in the sights. We would highly recommend pulling out the tide table* and picking an early evening high tide for your trip to The Parrog, and perhaps have a day of exploring Newport and its charms beforehand.Will you step into the sunset on your board? Or watch it with a drink in hand from the Sailing Club? What a lovely problem to have.

*Click here for tide times at The Parrog.

WHITESANDS BAY – ST DAVIDS

 

Contrastingly, Whitesands is more of a challenging beach, dubbed the best surfing beach in Pembrokeshire. As you can imagine, this popular stretch is fairly exposed, so we’d encourage those with a little more experience to give this a try.  Quieter days at Whitesands can be ideal to paddleboard, and a great place to up your game. There are a few rocks to be aware of, other people to avoid, and elements to contend with. You’ve mastered the glide, you’re hardly falling in anymore, time to up the ante! In short, this spot is not for the faint of heart. We would encourage a fairly thorough look into the ways of the water here before you idle out to sea. The good thing is, it’s well equipped! You can hire boards here, have an ice cream, use the loos and park easily. For adventure one step further, you can take a mini-hike past the nearby peak of Carn Llidi to a little secluded beach.
Didn’t read part 1? Click here for some other great places for paddleboarding in Wales.