Porthmadog
Before launching your craft it is vitally important for your own personal safety and the safety of others that you take the time to read carefully the Rules & Regulations as set out by Gwynedd Council. Please adhere to these rules and regulations at all time.
The slipway in Porthmadog was recently improved and offers easy launching during suitable tides (3 hours either side of high water for jet skis). Located in the main harbour area and close to the town centre, the slipway here has a number of amenities nearby.
One of the downsides of launching here, is that you must navigate quite far from the slipway to the main channel and a speed restriction of 6 knots applies. Navigating out of the harbour especially at lower tides should be done with care, and you should follow the marker buoys in the channel as to avoid the numerous sandbanks (as you can see from the aerial photo above, the channel gets very narrow). We have tried to mark the path but make sure that you are familiar with the buoys and the regulations that apply. (see Rules & Regulations section).
Parking close to the slipway is limited in Porthmadog, and your best option would be to leave your trailer secured in the designated areas and park your vehicle in one of the pay and display car parks. Current information from The Harbourmaster is that there are no pay and display car parks in the immediate vicinity of the harbour
Suggestion
An option we would suggest would be to launch at Black Rock Sands, just a few miles from Porthmadog. Our reason for suggesting this is that after you make your way out of the main harbour at Porthmadog and navigate through the narrow shipping channel you will arrive at Black Rock sands. The beach in Black Rock is very personal watercraft friendly and has ample parking. In addition, you can take your vehicle on the beach and right down to the water at all tides. (For more details see the Black Rock Sands section)
If you do want to launch and recover from Porthmadog harbour though, you may be able to arrange to leave your trailer parked at Robert Owen Marine (located within the harbour). See the “sponsors” page for contact details.
Please be aware of the navigation rules between the Lateral Buoys and their significance i.e.
Red & Green Lateral Buoys : Lateral Buoys are used to highlight safe channels. When you ENTER a Harbour area you should pass the Red Lateral Buoy on your Left (Port) and the Green Lateral Buoy on your Right (Starboard). Obviously the reverse will apply when LEAVING the harbour and heading to sea.
Directions
(Ordnance Survey Ref : OS 569384)
From the A55 turn off at Bangor and follow the signs onto the A487 towards Caernarfon. Once you reach Caernarfon continue through the town and stay on the A487 towards the town of Porthmadog.
Once you arrive in Porthmadog you should take the second turning on your left on the roundabout in the centre of town, this will take you along the main high street.
Continue up the main high street until just after the bus stops where you need to turn right (just before the traffic lights ) and past the tourist information kiosk towards the harbour area.
Approximately 100meters after turning right and before the bend in the road you need to turn left onto a pebbled surface and straight in front of you is the slipway
From the A5 you will need to follow the road towards the town of Porthmadog. Once you arrive in the town of Porthmadog you need to make a left turn just after the traffic lights towards the harbour area.
Approximately 100meters after turning right and before the bend in the road you need to turn left onto a pebbled surface and straight in front of you is the slipway
Useful Numbers
Porthmadog Harbourmaster : 01766 512 927 or 07702 719 023
Coast Guard (Holyhead) : 01407 762 051
VHF : 12 / 16
Maritime Office : 01758 704 066
In an Emergency call 999
Note: Although the Harbour office and beach patrol listen on VHF channels 16 & 12, the Coastguard maintain a watch on VHF channel 16 only.
