Cymru

Highlights

• Sail around the beautiful Llyn peninsula
• Keep an eye out for leaping pods of dolphins in New Quay Bay
• Sample award-winning cuisine in Milford Haven
• Visit the ancient holy island of Caldey
• Cruise into the heart of Cardiff Bay the seat of the Senedd, home of the Welsh National Opera, and scores of restaurants and bars

Itinerary

Day 1: Board Snark from 16:00 to 18:00 at Caernarfon Pier, North Wales. Group introductions and safety briefing, followed by evening meal on board.

Day 2: Cast off after an early breakfast to head out over the bar and sail across Caernarfon Bay to get to Bardsey Sound at the tip of the Llyn peninsula before the strong tide turns. Then along the spectacular coastline to anchor in St. Tudwal’s Roads off the coast near Abersoch.

Day 3: Weigh anchor mid-morning to head south across Cardigan Bay, while keeping an eye out for leaping pods of dolphins, and anchor in New Quay Bay in time to row ashore for an evening barbecue on the beach.

Day 4: Set sail south and catch the tide down to the sheltered anchorage of Pig Y Baw bay and a chance for an afternoon sea swim or row to the beach to explore the ancient Celtic Christian ruins and a short walk to the Old Sailors on Pwllgwaelod beach for a sunset pint.

Day 5: A dawn start to make sure we can sail past St David’s Head and get off the Bishop rocks for the slack tide passage. Then on to anchor off Dale in the shelter of Milford Haven, and time for a well-deserved afternoon nap before dinner on board or at the award-winning seafood pub restaurant at The Griffin.

Day 6: Weigh anchor after an early lunch and set sail with the tide along the spectacular South Pembroke coast to anchor off the north side of Caldey Island home of a Cistercian Monastery, the latest in a 15- hundred-year tradition of religious orders to occupy the holy island.

Day 7: Spend the morning ashore exploring the Island and the chocolate factory. Depart after an early lunch to cross Carmarthen Bay and run with the tide along the Gower coast to anchor in the lee of The Mumbles, a headland in Swansea Bay, for the night.

Day 8: Depart Mumbles after breakfast for the long passage across Swansea Bay, around the southern tip of Wales to lock into Cardiff Bay and cross to the historic Mount Stewart Graving Docks as the sun sets.

Last day: Breakfast on board, followed by goodbyes and disembarkation at 10:00 from Mount Stewart Dock, Cardiff.

A typical day’s activities might include:

• An early breakfast on board.
• Cast off and sail to our next stopover with lunch and refreshments along the way.
• Learn the ropes and help sail the boat as we go.
• Relax on board, keeping an eye out for wildlife and coastal landmarks, or chill on deck, reading a book, sketching or photographing the coast as we sail by.
• Moor up or anchor in the afternoon with cultural visits where available.
• Dinner on deck or row ashore to a secluded beach for a sea swim or coastal walk and barbecue, or evening out to a harbour inn or restaurant (onshore meals not included in price).

Note: The above itinerary is provisional. It may be subject to change depending on weather and other factors. Some ports will not be available in certain wind conditions. We might get to others too late or skip a stopover for a longer day’s sail if we’re running behind.