Holy Island ..Inland sea advice?

[Mikebelluk]

Some advice please!
I hope to take 12yr old nephew out for a recreational paddle on the Inland Sea next week, launching at 4 Mile Bridge and just pootling round looking at the wildlife etc.
Apart from keeping well away from the bridge and Stanley Embankment when tide rising /falling, is there normally enough water to spend a few hours there, or does it drain flat at low water?
thanks
Mike

[Nick-C]

Hi Mike,
The inland sea is a pleasant place to paddle and could be ideal for a gentle trip with your nephew.
Four Mile Bridge is a convenient place to launch (park near the bridge to drop off kit, then find a less obstructive place for your car near the Rhsocolyn turn off).
The inland sea is quite exposed in windy weather once away from the bridge area, but tidal streams are almost non-existent within this enclosed body of water.

The central and northern areas of the inland sea always have enough water, but the southern area (Four Mile Bridge) can be a problem at low water. Also, the east and west edges of the inland sea as you head north from four mile bridge are very shallow at certain states of the tide.

So - it helps to get your tides right.
The tidal level inside the inland sea is rather different than on the outer coast, as the tide rises and falls via two narrow tunnels at four mile bridge and stanley embankment.
Tidal differences based on Liverpool are, according to Welsh Sea Kayaking:

Tide begins to flow into the inland sea at: HW Liverpool -0330 (four mile bridge) and HW Liverpool -0400 (stanley embankment)
Tide begins to flow out of the inland sea at: HW Liverpool +0100 (both tunnels)

Don't worry about what's happening on the outer coast; unless you head out there, it's irrelevant to you on the day.
The time when the tide begins to flow into the inland sea is effectively LW; it rises from this time until the stream inside the tunnels reverses to go out (HW inside the inland sea). Heading north from four mile bridge at LW inland sea is tricky, as you can encounter 100-200m of shallow/drying flats in that area; paddling close to the sides is awkward at this time too.

It's better to launch about 2+ hours after the stream begins to flow into the inland sea; you'll have a rising tide and unless your explorations take longer than 8 hours, you'll have no problem returning to where you started.

The area immediately around four mile bridge is fun to play in and always has enough water. Stay away from from the tunnel at stanley embankment. When the stream is running into the inland sea it's a battle to reach the tunnel mouth against the flow - when flowing out, stay well away from the entrance - there is a dangerous recirculating feature on the downstream end of the tunnel. Four mile bridge is a much friendlier place to play.

Next week the tides begin on neaps (Monday) and quickly rise through the week to very large spring tides by the weekend. It's early starts early in the week, then more civilised options as the weekend approaches.

Enjoy your day!

Nick

[Mikebelluk]

Thanks Nick, that's very helpful information, looking forward to putting it into good use.
I'm hoping there's going to be a wee bit of surf at Trearddur Bay when we're there as well, so he can have a go at that too...
[i need the practice as well.]
Mike

[Aled]

The Inland Sea accumulates water on spring tides and loses water on neap tides. Paddling at highwater springs will get you to the back of all the small creeks behind Trearddur Bay.