Abersoch

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.

Primary Slipway

Abersoch is one of the most popular resorts in the County and is located on the southern part of the Llyn Peninsula. There are two Islands (St Tudwal’s Islands) to the East & West of this location, which are within easy reach of the launch site and well worth exploring. You may even bump into Bear Grylls, as he owns and lives on one of the islands.

The beach and launch area in Abersoch is in a large sheltered bay, which mean the area is very popular with all types of watersport enthusiasts during the summer months. Due to it’s popularity, PWC and boats are excluded from the section to your left as you arrive on the main slipway, this is to provide a safe area for bathers.

The main slipway here is only usable as a direct launching facility during high tide. At other times you will either need to push your PWC further down to the sea or take your vehicle onto the beach for launch & recovery.

There is now a 60 space Trailer Park at the beach entrance point. Charges are included within Local daily launch fees or seasonal permits. VEHICLES MUST NOT BE LEFT IN THE TRAILER PARK.

Parking at this location can be found at Abersoch Golf Club (Post Code LL53 7EY) . The car park is Golf Club owned & operated and there is a £5 daily charge. Be aware the car park has ANPR cameras, so if you avoid buying a ticket you WILL be fined.

Alternative car parking can be found at the Community/ Village Hall (Charges payable to car park attendant).

There are good facilities close to the launch area in Abersoch such as beach front shops, toilets and shower area which are all open during summer months. The village itself has a number of shops, bars, and restaurants.

*Gwynedd Council have requested that PWC riders make themselves aware of a new powered craft exclusion zone at nearby Llanbedrog Beach. Also they would like to reinforce that there should be no Launching or Recovering of Personal Watercraft at Llanbedrog*

EXCLUSION ZONE MAP

Secondary Slipway (Machroes)

There is also a launch site at Abersoch which is located in Machroes (closer to Bwlch Tocyn).

This site is again on the main beach but it is a Beach Access Point not a slipway, making it not the easiest one to launch from. We would suggest that you use the main beach slipway instead.

If you want to give the site a try then here is some information.

The access point is quite short and narrow (no room to turn round therefore you must reverse down) and launching directly off the tarmac can only be done at very high tide. Another problem is that the access point tends to get a build up of soft sand, and therefore we would not recommend taking a car off the tarmac. There are also a number of large rocks in the bay here, which may present a hazard to your craft.

We would also suggest that you take quite a long rope with you if launching here just in case you need to pull your craft and trailer back up the access point after being on the water (from experience your trailer can get bogged down in sand here!).

There is good parking near to the slipway and also toilet facilities.

TIP

The main beach entrance at Abersoch (location of the first slipway discussed) is locked in the evenings so please be aware of the times before setting out.

On occasions the maritime unit may close the Abersoch main beach slipway if tidal conditions do not make it suitable for launching.

Useful Numbers

Harbourmaster : 01758 704 081 or 07879 433 145

Abersoch Golf Club : 01758 712636  (Dai Davies)

Coast Guard (Holyhead) : 01407 762 051

VHF : 12 / 16

Maritime Office : 01758 704 066

In an Emergency call 999