Cymyran Strait

 I've been sea kayaking around the Anglesey coast for several years but had never made the detour in to Cymyran, despite passing the entrance several times. From Rhoscolyn you head south, passing some interesting rock hopping territory where the swell and angle of the rocks on this day would have been unforgiving to any boat in the wrong place at the wrong time. 

After the broad arc and surf of Silver Bay you pass the old block-house and then turn in to Cymyran. 

 Immediately you notice the sheltering affect of the topography and it is quieter - no more booming as the unpredictable swell hits an exposed coastline. Left shore is Holy Island and the right  is Anglesey.

 What looks like an old trawler lies abandoned up a wide side bay

 and a fisherman's hut huddles close up the low cliff.

 To the south you can see the dunes that lie between the beach and RAF Valley. Paddling further up there are some small islands before reaching Four Mile Bridge but all too soon the ebb tidal flow turns you, accelerates and spits you out back in to the sea.

 Some small south facing bays close to the rip provide nice shelter for a lunch stop and an easy exit route to the open sea avoiding the surf.

 With plenty of time left I paddled north to Rhoscolyn Head and its cave. The ebb tidal flow had picked up and at times I paddled to a standstill in confused water against the flow in the inside passage,

before breaking out to the more predictable outside flow further offshore. Although the sea seemed reasonably calm, every  now and again massive swells would build and occasionally break in front of me, so it was important to stay focused. I passed around the outside of beacon rocks, then weaved my way through the numerous passages between them, sometimes pushed by a big swell set being funnelled in to them and breaking on the rocks to the side. Very noisy and best not to look back in those circumstances!

Back in the shelter of Borthwen the old lifeboat station emphasises the dangers of the coast hereabouts, although I wouldn't like to launch below high tide these days on the shortened ramp!