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Trearddur Bay Beach, Anglesey
After strong storms in 2007, the beachfront has been strengthened and a new promenade runs the length of this attractive sandy stretch. New seating has also been laid along the prom so that visitors can relax and enjoy the magnificent sea views or step down to walk across the sandy stretches.
If your feeling fit why not get up bright and early and take a jog or fast walk along this sandy bay.
About halfway along the beach you may notice a monument standing behind the concrete promenade and in front of the marram grass. This is a Celtic cross, erected during the Millennium (2000), which commemorates, Saint Ffraid, the patron saint of Trearddur Bay beach. The foundation of the monument was weakened during severe storms, but after the recent rebuilding work along the promenade, the base is once again secure. More on Saint Ffraid here. Either side of the bay you will find rocky outcrops which contain interesting rock pools. These are a source of endless excitement and concentration for young children exploring the fascinating and wide range of sea life to be found here. From my experience, parents may find it as difficult to persuade their kids from these pools as it is to prize a stubborn limpit from the rock.
Plenty of clean water for swimming. There again, they may want to venture further.
Be careful as you swim from the shallow water area as there are a number of motor boats and jet skis which create unusually large swells, and they can arrive very quickly from the outer bay.
The drivers of these craft may not see swimmers and so you need to be careful. There is sometimes a warden who patrols in a special jet ski to make sure conditions are as safe as possible for swimmers.
Following the extensive repair work on the promenade, the Ravenspoint Road pedestrian access is greatly improved.
There has been a revamping of the drainage and the sea wall is strengthened with a line of boulders in front of the wall to break up the waves in big storms. Car Parks:
There are four car parking areas, one of which is free but you will find this fills up fairly quickly. This free car park space is between the Trearddur Bay hotel entrance and the RNLI Lifeboat Station.
It has spaces for up to 12 or so cars and the ice cream and refreshments vans park next to these spaces. Make sure you don't park in front of the RNLI Lifeboat door, otherwise there could be a big problem if they are called out.
Beyond this free car park space is a slipway to launch various craft and the charge is £20 per day in the main summer season. There is another car park (where fees are paid) about 200 yards further along the road to Porth-y-Post on the right hand side with space for around 50 cars.
A new car park is now open opposite the Football field and next to the Waterfront Restaurant, where fees are £2 per day. Make sure you pay because the fines can be as high as £70.
The other car park (with same terms) is accessed off the main road to Holyhead (B4545) just opposite the Post Office, and here there are spaces for about 80 cars.
The Waterfront restaurant has a small space for about 5-6 cars which are reserved for customers only. The restaurant offers meals during the day and has a large open air patio at the front with a view over the whole bay. If you have forgotten a beach ball, tennis ball, flippers or someone needs a new swimsuit, don't worry, as there is a fine, small, convenient store offering these and more next to the restaurant. All are within one minute walk of the beach.
Children's Play Area: Apart from Trearddur Bay beach itself, there is a park with swings and various climbing frames for kids to have some fun as long as they are supervised by parents or friends. Take care when crossing the road from here to the lifeboat shop and ice cream vans parked above the beach.
Dog Notes: We are often asked by visitors to the site about which Anglesey beaches are dog-friendly. Well, you will be pleased to know that this beach has a zone which permits owners to take their dogs.
The beach is roughly divided in half, the west side or the RNLI Lifeboat (west) side is dog free, while the Ravenspoint Road (east) side is off limits.
Nearby, the Trearddur Bay Sailing Club holds its annual Regatta during August.
You will see many of the bigger boats that take part in the races moored in the coves on either side of the bay.
And how do local people know when it is race day? The Sailing Club's flagstaff on the rocky outcrop to the south east side of the bay flies the distinctive triangular shaped red flag. Races will usually be around ten in the morning or about two in the afternoon.
There is a dinghy park above the adjacent beach, Porth Diana. There are also moorings available for small craft in this cove. For young children starting out on their sailing experience there is the Optimist class. Lessons are available during which they can learn the basics and build their experience, and they even have their own race series.
If your more seasoned and daring you will take to a Lazer, Fireball, myth or 420. While for the those who combine tradition with maturity there is the Half Rater class, a design which is nearly 100 years old.
Such exhilarating moments are to be treasured: spray from a freak wave, the sight of different sea birds landing on the water, the sound of the wind filling the sails.
So as you prepare your holiday to the island and are looking for an Anglesey beach to remember, you will want to pencil in Trearddur Bay beach on your checklist as one to experience.
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And if the family wants a change from discovering life in the rockpools, or from beach cricket or volleyball, there is of course the sea itself.
Facilities at Trearddur Bay beach
Sailing Times are here again:
