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Relax at Borthwen Beach, Rhoscolyn, A Sheltered Inlet
Among the many beaches of Anglesey, Borthwen beach is probably one of the most sheltered when you take all the different weather conditions into account. This soft, sandy beach faces the open sea to the south and is a great location for the family to swim, with a thick covering of marram grass in the dunes at the back of the beach. A rocky headland stretches across the opening of the bay at Borthwen which shelters most of the beach from the prevailing south westerly winds.
This is why other locations along this south coast of the island are particularly popular with surfers, such as Rhosneigr and Porth Nobla beaches. If you want to enjoy some sailing around the Anglesey coast then Borthwen beach is a good location to launch your dinghy.
There are also the occasional jet skis which brave the coastal reach from nearby beaches such as Trearddur Bay.
This relatively quiet beach is also a helpful launch pad for canoes and kayaks, for those adventure seekers among the white waves and azzure blue sea. You may well see a handful of these craft moving out into the open sea from the relative tranquility of this Rhoscolyn shelter.
On the right hand side of the beach as you look out to sea there is a high wall which provides access by foot to the houses on the headland at high water.
Some visitors staying at the coastal properties on the headland will drive their off-road vehicles along the side of the beach to get to this isolated spot. You can reach the beach either along a narrow track from the nearby Silver Bay private caravan enclave or more likely from the village of Rhoscolyn.
How to get to Borthwen Beach: When you leave the A55 near Valley, you take the B4545 signed for Trearddur Bay, going over the railway crossing and heading to Four mile Bridge.
After crossing the bridge, where you will likely see many keen anglers sitting on the bridge wall, take the next left turning fro Rhoscolyn.
You will see a brown signpost for The White Eagle pub which is where you need to head for. After two miles or so, you will see the White Eagle on your left at the beginning of a very narrow winding road, which is your route to Borthwen beach. Drive slowly as you may meet another vehicle coming up from the beach. See a map of Anglesey here.
This access road though narrow is not steep which helps if you need to make any manoeuvres.
Along this winding road you will pass Holy Island Seafood, where you can buy from the house shellfish and fish direct from local fishermen as well as a range of home made chutneys and fishcakes. You will also pass a few well positioned Anglesey coastal cottages which may be a consideration for a future visit, and at the end of the lane is a public car park and toilets.
There are spaces for about 35 to 40 cars at the car park, perhaps fewer if a trailer or two carrying canoes and kayaks are parked here.
Leave the car park either through the wide entrance on your right which is for launching boats or on your left a special pedestrian access made of wooden boards through the marram and sand dunes. There is usually a beach warden sitting in his car near the main entrance to check that powered craft are not too powerful and have proper registration.
Please be aware that caravans and tents are not allowed within the car park or in the dunes. On Borthwen beach you will see special signposts which give the direction of the Anglesey Coastal Path and this section runs between Trearddur and Four Mile Bridge.
So if you feel energetic you could walk towards Trearddur and see the special rock arches near Rhoscolyn Head. There again, you may be drawn east and head for Silver Bay beach on the south eastern tip of Holy Island, over the undulating paths and past some interesting rock formations. Walking along the many footpaths around and behind the beach is a pleasure, with thick green hedges almost 2 metres high full of a variety of colourful flowers and berries. And with occasional trees swaying in the breeze, and in the distance the sound of the sea and the odd seagull overhead, this is an experience not to miss. Whether you would like a bracing walk along the Anglesey coast on a fresh, clear winter day or soak the sun, swim, kayak or sail in summer, sheltered Borthwen Beach at Rhoscolyn has much to offer the adventurous visitor.
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When a strong wind blows in off the Irish Sea it doesn't take long for the big waves to develop.
The eastern side of the beach will be more exposed to the prevailing winds and sea than the western side, near the entrance.
So while you can launch a power boat, it cannot be more than 10HP and there are launch fees which can be £20 per day, though cheaper if you buy a season ticket.
