Destinations

As we are based at Swansea, the entire Bristol Channel and the whole length of the South Wales coastline are within our limits of operation. However, for practical purposes our scheduled trip limits are from Cardiff Bay / Watchet, in the east, to Tenby & Caldey Island / Clovelly & Lundy Island in the west.

All the picturesque harbours and ports within this area are regularly visited, these include:

Minehead, Porlock Wier, Lynton, Ilfracombe, Appledore, Bideford, Clovelly, Lundy Island , Caldey Island , Tenby, Porthcawl and Cardiff .

Other, more distant, destinations are available for parties chartering the boat on a whole day basis. This could include the West Wales islands of Skomer, Skokholm and Grassholm, The North Cornish coast including Boscastle (lovely lobster lunch available at reasonable prices at this now famous harbour) and Padstow. To the east we can leave the Bristol Channel and go past the two Severn Bridges to the Severn Estuary as far as Gloucester

Destinations visited in our first two seasons include:

Cardiff Bay, Flatholm & Steepholm islands, Watchet, Minehead and Porlock Weir in Somerset, Lynmouth, Ilfracombe and Appledore / Bideford / Clovelly in N. Devon, Boscastle and Padstow in North Cornwall, Lundy Island, Tenby, Caldey Island, Saundersfoot, Carmarthen Bay, Worm's Head and Rhosili. In addition, all the bays, beaches, cliffs and caves of the Mid & South Glamorgan Coast together with those of the South Gower Coastline and Swansea Bay.

Our excursions for 2005 include:

The Swansea Bay Experience. Trip time approx. 1hr.

If you would like to find out if you would enjoy a longer trip or would just like to experience the exhilaration of travelling at 30+knots across Swansea Bay, then board the boat at the outer lock pontoon (see link) of the Tawe Barrage, near the marina. We often see many species of seabirds, not easily seen from the shore and frequently see Harbour Porpoises.

Adult £12, child £6.

Swansea to Oxwich beach. Trip time approximately 2hrs.

Board the boat at the outer Tawe lock pontoon and once we exit the estuary, we have a quick dash across Swansea Bay . We round the Mumbles Lighthouse where we see the first of the impressive Gower caves, Bob's Cave. We travel past the Coastguard Station and on towards Langland Bay , Caswell Bay , Brandy Cove, and Pwll Ddu Beach .

Rounding Gravesend , we see the wide expanse of Oxwich Bay where we pass close inshore to view the many caves, of great archaeological importance, and if we are lucky, we may see one of the groups of Choughs who nest among the rock cliffs along the south Gower coastline.

We see the "locals" beaches of Pobbles, Three Cliffs and Tor Bay before heading for the corner of the bay where we can see the Norman church of St. Illtyd and the "bucket & spade tourist beach of Oxwich .

From here we can head south for two or three miles where we may see common or bottle-nosed dolphins before turning east on our return to Swansea Bay and the River Tawe.

Adult £20, child £10.

The South Gower Coastline. Trip time approx. 3 hrs.

This trip takes us from Swansea along the whole length of the South Gower Coast viewing all the bays, beaches, cliffs and sea caves and the magnificent headland of Worm's Head.

If you think the "Worm" is impressive from the land, wait until you sea it from close inshore. Guillemots, Razorbills, Choughs, Kittiwakes, Terns, Shearwaters, Gannets, Harbour Porpoises and Atlantic Grey Seals ( Britain 's largest wild mammal) can all be seen along the way.

The many sea caves are of immense archaeological importance, the best known is probably Paviland Cave near, but not very accessible, from Port Eynon. Close by is the mysterious Culver Hole.

In 2003 and 2004 we saw the nesting puffins of Worm's Head (the only 2 pairs nesting in Glamorgan) and bottle nosed dolphins and common dolphins were seen on a number of occasions. Natural spectacles such as gannets "dive bombing" a shoal of mackerel or great rafts of shearwaters alighting and circling the boat before settling back on the surface, will make it a day to remember.

Leaving the Worm we travel south for three miles or so where, in the summer months we may spot the dorsal and tail fins of basking shark, (at up to 10 meters, it is the worlds second largest fish), breaking surface, together with our best chance of seeing a pod of Common Dolphin playing and even jumping around the boat.

We then head east and head back towards Swansea Bay and return to the River Tawe.

Adult £26, child £13.

Lundy Island . Trip time 6 - 8 Hrs.

One of our most rewarding trips which we only undertake in times of good weather and forecasts. Leave Swansea Bay for the 40 mile trip to this enchanted island. Unless we stop to observe pods of dolphins or rafts of Manx Shearwaters we travel at a constant 25+knots and after 45 minutes or so, the 400 ft high cliffs of Lundy come into view above the horizon.

Soon we can make out the shape of the Old Lighthouse on top of the island which was discontinued and replaced with one at each end because it was frequently obscured by low cloud. We head towards the North end of the island where we pass over the overflows and into the Atlantic Ocean ! (Lundy marks the division between the Bristol Channel and the Atlantic ).

At the North West corner of the Island , most of the interesting seabirds, puffins, guillemots, razorbills and kittiwakes can usually be seen along with many Atlantic Grey Seals.

If the sea swell conditions permit, you can be landed at the North End under the lighthouse where you can climb, much of it up stairways, cut into the rock to the top of the island. You can then explore this end of the island, including viewing the nesting areas of the sea birds, before walking the length of Lundy to meet up at the Marisco Tavern.

If conditions do not allow landing at the North End, or you choose not to land there, we travel the 3 miles south to the landing beach where you alight at the new quay and make the "walk" up the footpath to the village. (N.B. this may look a bit daunting, but take it easy with a few rests and it is very pleasant, many 70 & 80 yr. olds do this every year!).

Depending on our schedule, those keen enough can walk to the North End and back others can enjoy the village, church, lighthouse(s) and castle at the South End or just enjoy a few pints and a good meal at the tavern.

On our return journey, plenty of time is available for anyone who wishes to "take the wheel" before we return to Swansea Bay and the River Tawe.

Adult £40 -£50, child £20 -£25.

The Towns of Lynmouth & Lynton. Trip time 4 - 5hrs.

We leave the outer Tawe lock pontoon by Swansea Marina 2½ hrs before high tide. The trip to Lynmouth will take about an hour which means that on our arrival the tide is high enough to gain access to Lynmouth's small harbour.

At this beautiful north Devon harbour, there are many cafes, pubs etc. for you to enjoy local fare. There is a small museum which tells the story of an heroic rescue when the lifeboat had to be pulled, by man and pony power, 14 miles over the very steep Porlock Hill, to be launched at Porlock. There is also the information of a tragic flooding of Lynmouth in 1952 when many locals were killed. (The flood was caused by a deluge and was very similar to the recent disaster at Boscastle where, fortunately, no life was lost).

If you have never visited this picturesque port before, you must take the funicular railway up the cliff face to the village of Lynton . This is a beautiful Devon village with plenty to see. Once satisfied, perhaps by a cream tea, return by the funicular, to the harbour where we depart no more than 1 hr. after high tide.

Warning. This is one destination where we cannot delay our departure. If you are late we will leave without you and it's a 3 day camel trip to civilisation from here!

Adult £32 - £38, child £16 - £19.

Cardiff Bay . Trip time 6 - 8 hrs.

We depart from Swansea Marina and make our way along the Glamorgan coastline past Briton Ferry, Port Talbot , Sker Point, Porthcawl, Ogmore, Southerndown, Nash Point, Atlantic College , Llantwit Major, Aberthaw Power Station, Fontagary, Rhoose, Porthkerry, The (Cold) Knap, Barry, Lavernock, Penarth and through the Barrage into Cardiff Bay .

Once in the Bay, we travel through the regenerated docklands up the River Taff as far as the Millennium Stadium where you can alight, if you wish. We turn around and head for the moorings alongside the shops and restaurants close to the National Assembly. Here anyone remaining on board alights and spends 2 - 4 hours ashore.

You return to the moorings, at the agreed time, and we depart the Bay, exiting once more through the locks. (This can be quite spectacular, in itself). Time permitting, we can travel to the islands of Flatholm and / or Steepholm. Landings can be arranged though, this may be best left for a specific visit.

We will then head due west down the centre of the Bristol Channel , outside the Nash and Scarweather sandbanks for our return trip back to Swansea .

This trip could be particularly suitable for private charter, for example, to attend a match at the millennium stadium.

Adult £40 - £50, child £20 - £25.

Watchet and Minehead. Trip time 6 - 8 hrs.

We leave Swansea Marina at 2 hrs after low tide and head south then east to arrive at Minehead approximately 80 - 90 minutes later. You may alight here and visit the town or the Holiday Centre or better still, the N. Somerset Steam Railway Society who run steam trains along the Somerset Coast .

For those that choose to stay aboard, we depart Minehead and head for Watchet. The new marina is set in a beautiful location and the old and new work very well together. There are plenty of pubs and restaurants here.

Having seen the sights you can either reboard the boat or take the steam train to Minehead. We then depart Watchet and head back to Minehead where we can meet up again if you took the steam train. We leave at the agreed time and head back to Swansea .

Adult £40 - £50, child £20 - £25.

Child fares apply to children under 16 accompanied by an adult.

Familly / group fares are available with appropriate discounts.

Details of other destinations and trips will be posted at a later date and will include those previously mentioned.

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