Sea Kayaking Guide

Sea Kayaking Guide - for visitors to the Isle of Man

The Island offers a diverse range of paddling. Sea Kayaking trips around the Isle of Man's stunning coastline are both very accessible, and within short travelling distances from anywhere on the Island. The Spectacular cliffs and inlets, sea stacks, caves and beaches are made even more enjoyable by the abundance of marine animals and birdlife, including Grey Seals, Porpoises, Basking Sharks, Dolphins, Puffins, Guillemots, Razorbills, Peregrine Falcons, Minke Whales and many more besides, guarantee sea kayaking around the Isle of Man offers an unforgettable, adventurous experience!

This guide gives basic information for those wishing to plan their own sea kayak trips on the Isle of Man, suitable for the novice paddler and above. For those wishing to plan more advanced paddling, including areas of fast tides and associated turbulent water and very committed stretches of the coast, or book coaching courses and trips, contact information for local, professional outdoor centres can be found via this link.

Different species of wildlife are more prolific at varying stages of the season, so there's always something to see. And being an Island means that there is always a location to suit the level of outdoor activity you require, year round. Excellent water clarity gives the perfect opportunity to look beneath as well as around the kayak.

Peel

Located mid-point on the West Coast, the 'Sunset City' offers easy parking at Fenella Beach, beneath the impressive 11th Century Peel Castle (build by the Vikings) the towering red Sandstone walls give a comfortable historic feel to the small sandy beach. The main beach at Peel is across the harbour bridge from Fenella, popular with families and tourists because of the long sandy stretch and sheltered shallow bay. For this reason it is often used by complete novices, paddlers with sit-on-top kayaks and swimmers.

Paddling Northwards towards White Strand Beach gives frequent accessible coves and get out points, with some areas of short cliffs, intermittent caves and 'rock gardens'.

Paddling the short distance around St Patrick's Isle (on which Peel Castle sits) and the main breakwater is more committing with some tide and no easy landing. Seals are numerous and active.

Paddling South towards Glenmaye and Niarbyl point is also committing with some tide off Contrary Head. Spectacular rock formations, sea caves, abundant wildlife, tall and rocky cliffs with occasional rocky beaches.

Niarbyl

Meaning the 'tail of rocks', and made famous by the film 'Waking Ned Divine', this is one of the classic and most beautiful sections of coastline, unspoilt by human habitation. The recently built public car park and visitors centre is just above, and a short carry to the beach. The beach itself has a strip of sand stretching out to the sea facing South, and a rough rocky shore facing West.

Paddling round the 'tail' and North towards Glenmaye is mildly committing, with short rocky coastline, with few easy landings. Eider ducks (and in season accompanying ducklings) are often spotted on this stretch.

Paddling South round Niarbyl Bay to the beautiful White Beach and further down to the stack is sheltered, provides easy landing at most of the frequent beaches, and a view towards Fleshwick bay, Bradda Head and the West coast of the Calf of Man!

Port Erin

Facing South West towards the distant Mourne Mountains in Northern Ireland, Port Erin boasts a well protected bay, large sandy beach and plenty of parking. Ice cream shops serving award winning local produce conclude to make it a very popular summer resort.

The large bay provides very sheltered paddling, with a mixture of a secluded cove, sea arch and cave and combination of low rocky shoreline and tall steep cliffs.

Paddling North round Bradda Head provides more caves and very steep rocky cliffs, and towards Fleshwick Bay is very exposed, with some strong tide and no easy landings.

Heading South from Port Erin bay, in the direction of the Calf of Man, is also steep and rocky, with few options for landings. Time the tide to paddle right through the narrow tunnel and exit through a different cave. Look out for Peregrines, Ravens and seasonal sea birds. Large shallow bays beneath the expansive cliffs are a main feature here. Pass Aldrick where you may see Rock Climbers testing the crags or traversing near sea level.

The Sound visitors centre is located just after Aldrick, where a lower grassy area above the Sound,
provides an excellent viewing platform for the seal colonies which bask on the Kitterland rocks  below. The stretch of water between the mainland and the Calf of Man has regular very strong tidal flows and should not be attempted by the unguided novice.

Crossing the short distance to Kitterland rocks or the longer paddle to the Calf of Man itself is very committing, and the sea conditions change very quickly.

The stunning scenery on the Calf is worth the visit, accessed via sea kayak trips with professional companies, or the easier option of the ferry boat service running in the summer.

If paddlers are adequately trained and led by a competent leader with local knowledge, the awesome Calf of Man and surrounding waters, together with some other superb sections of coast in different sea conditions, provide an ideal playground for the intermediate to advanced paddler.

Warning

Kayaks are only as safe as the paddler in them. The British Canoe Union recommend that sea kayakers do not paddle alone, always wear a buoyancy aid and carry the necessary safety kit, have an up to date weather forecast and have adequate training for the trips they set off on. In strong winds, otherwise 'sheltered' locations mentioned in this guide can become hazardous.

Marine and birdlife

Of the many species observed and interacted with, unobtrusively by sea kayakers, a few are especially protected from disturbance and harassment. Peregrine Falcons, Basking Sharks, the large colonies of Grey Seals (and less common 'common or harbour seals'), and Dolphins. It is an offence to do so, and guidelines in place to prevent this are at; http://baskingsharks.wildlifetrusts.org/wise.php

By positioning your kayak carefully, and then watch the wildlife come to you, the experience is far more enjoyable and rewarding long term. Young seal pups especially often swim up the kayaks to nibble the carrying toggles and nuzzle the smooth hull.

Being totally wild and generally quite curious, Basking Sharks can and will continue feeding right up to and beneath kayaks and other small craft. These 'gentle giants' which feed on microscopic plankton, have an astute sense of their surroundings and can change direction with ease.  With large adults growing to 35ft, when they pass beneath your kayak, the sheer size of these awesome creatures can take your breath away!

Passing within inches of water craft, their excellent spatial awareness ensures they do not actually touch. Purposeful contact by humans is an offence and totally unnecessary.

Author - Keirron

www.adventurousexperiences.com

Further information

For further information on locations mentioned in this guide, distances, facilities and public transport, as well as other fantastic locations to visit, pick up a One stop guide published by the Isle of Man Department Tourism & Leisure, or use the online resource.

Additional information

OS Landranger Map - Sheet 95 - Isle of Man

Imray Irish Sea - Chart Y70 Isle of Man

Sailing Directions Tidal Streams and Anchorages of the Isle of Man - ISBN 0-9553662-0-8

(pick up your copy on the Island at Manx Marine Limited - Yacht chandlery, Douglas marina)