Strangford Lough in County Down, Northern Ireland is a large sea lough & the largest inlet in the British Isles. The lough is almost totally enclosed by the Ards Peninsula and it links to the Irish sea via a long narrow channel.

Owned by the National Trust, Strangford Lough is a place of natural beauty & a conservation area for many birds & marine life.

The main body of the lough has at least 70 islands along with many islets, bays & coves.

Less experienced kayakers should head to the West side of the lough between Whiterock and Killyleagh. Here you’ll find a group of islands called the ‘basket of eggs’ which offer plenty of places to explore. You will also find sheltered paddling on the South West of the lough around Delamont Country Park and Salt Island.

How to get there:

Towns and villages around the lough include Killyleagh, Comber, Newtownards, Portaferry and Strangford.

Facilities:

Plenty of facilities are on offer in nearby towns and with number of adventure/outdoor centres dotted along the banks of the lough.

Hazards:

Strangford Lough is tidal, so check tides before setting off on a trip. Outside of high & low tides, “The Narrows” has fast running tidal channels, whirlpools and swirling water & is best avoided by novice kayakers.

Be aware of sailing boats & ferry.

Ins and Outs:

There are several access points around the lough – see Canoe NI for location maps.

Notes:

Canoe NI offer guided tours & hire kayaks/canoes, go to http://www.canoeni.com for more information.

Overview:

Plenty to explore, beautiful scenery with lots of islands, bays & coves. Look out for common and grey seals, arctic terns, porpoises and more.

Location:

When you look for a holiday – especially one for you and your family – what ticks the boxes? Access to water, with kayak availability on tap; possibly alternative water going craft and guidance on how to pilot these vessels; a bit of land based fun such as tennis, maybe cycling; with possibly kid’s club facilities? All of the above? If this sounds familiar then you’ve probably been on a Neilson holiday before. If you haven’t then maybe it’s time to check out what they offer. For those looking at a spot of kayaking but with plenty of other stuff on tap then Neilson’s brand new Italian resort, Airone Beachclub, could be just the ticket.

Situated on Italy’s southern Calabrian coast with the Gulf of Taranto directly out front, this sun kissed part of the country is where the Italians themselves go on holiday. It’s also a place famous for chilli and liquorice. Yes, you read that right. Liquorice is a big deal here, so much so that a museum dedicated to the sweet tasting Glycyrrhiza root can be found in the medieval town of Rossano, a 30 minute drive up into the hills away from the resort. Head to Sibari (Sybaris), the closest town, and you’ll find more in the way of culture, history and archaeological sites to peruse. And there’s plenty of bars, restaurants and refreshment stops also on offer if you’re prepared to get out. You’ll need transport, however, or make use of the plentiful road/mountain bikes available to all Neilson guests. Although there’s a decent restaurant just along the beach that’s within walking distance. It’s good value as well.

Airone Beachclub hotel

Standing apart from surrounding villages Neilson’s Airone Beachclub hotel is a pretty in pink structure that boasts room types to suit all requirements. We stayed in the garden villas separate to the main hotel building. With a three year old and 9 month baby this was ideal as it meant we could arrange nap times and night feeds accordingly.

Rooms are spacious with comfy beds, nicely styled bathrooms plus tea and coffee making facilities, which aren’t always available when away on holibobs (very British I know). The villas also have a decent amount of outside space for relaxing, post-paddling, with a tipple or two in the evening.

Elsewhere within the hotel grounds you’ll find four newly erected tennis courts, football/basketball courts, cycle shed, a well facilitated kids club area, plush piazza bar and absolutely huge pool! The open plan restaurant is serviced via the enclosed buffet with a separate area for kid’s high tea.

If you have food allergies, or family members with such, as we do then have no fear as the kitchen staff can cater for this no problem. We were assigned our own waiter who looked after our littlest one and made sure he was well fed. The head chef also made frequent appearances to check all was good – we can’t praise this aspect enough.

The beach (and kayaking)

Flanking the beach is a large expanse of pine forest which offers a pleasant walk and access to the vast expanse of beach. Once on the sand you’ll find a bar, plenty of sun loungers and a large lifeguard tower.
Although Neilson staff keep watch across the sailing area there’s the added advantage of Italian lifeguards in attendance.

To the right is where you’ll locate all those water toys waiting to be played with: boats, boards and kayaks. If you fancy getting involved in sailing, windsurfing or stand up paddle boarding Neilson beach staff will be able to give guidance, instruction and tasters for all sports. Kayaks are supplied by former Perception Kayaks Europe, now Wave Sport. The Scooter and tandem Gemini is what’ll be getting you afloat. Paddles are basic but do the job fine.

In terms of what’s available for investigation the paddling area is pretty large, although there’s not a huge amount of variety in terms of touring. As the season moves forward the beach team will be putting on longer excursions for guests to make use of. What Airone is great for, however, is anyone taking their first strokes in a kayak or getting your offspring into the sport.

With offshore winds, or zero breeze, the brine remains pancake flat and perfect for a dabble with a paddle. If the breeze should pick up, however, then there are two types of scenario. Offshore winds keep things flat inside whereas venturing farther out will require a slog back into the blow, which can be great for fitness. During our stay we ended with a number of onshore days with swell picking up rapidly. This gives fun lumps/waves to play on if confident. To the left of the launch is a shallower sand bar area where sucky swell jacks up and provides the best surf. If you’ve never had any experience in waves these conditions, should you get the same, give a nice intro to the world of surf sliding/paddling.

Other stuff

Neilson’s Airone Beachclub is one for the multi-activist. For sure you can clock up the paddling miles but if you only stick at this then you’ll be missing out. With so much other ‘entertainment’ on offer it’d be a shame not try one of the other sports, on land or water.

For families wanting a quality location for a variety of activities Neilson’s Airone Beachclub certainly ticks all the relevant boxes. Both Neilson and local Italian staff couldn’t do enough to please and with top notch facilities we’re pretty sure you’ll enjoy Calabria as much as we did.

You can find out more about Neilson’s Airone Beachclub by visiting www.neilson.co.uk/beach/italy/airone-beachclub

Note: Thanks to CE Photo for providing some of the images that accompany this article.

If you’re looking for a way to work overseas, and have a penchant for photography, then give CE Photo a shout as they’re always looking out for talented freelance photographers.

Photo Credits: www.cephoto.uk (@JPattenPhoto, @sophieschneeberger, @alexhillman_photo) & Fi Plavenieks

Pegwell Bay is located in Ramsgate in the East Kent. The Bay is a shallow inlet, surrounded by a large stretch of sea cliffs & is considered a nature reserve of international importance. Pegwell Bay has a variety of seashore habitats including estuaries, mudflats & salt marshes with migrating waders and wildfowl. The water in the Bay can be very muddy, but is lovely and warm in the summer as it is very shallow.

How to get there:

On the main road from Sandwich to Ramsgate in the village of Cliffsend.

Facilities:

Petrol station where you park up, and a pub opposite.

Hazards:

Be very wary around low tide as the bay is very shallow, and there is sinking mud in the mouth of the river. Be cautious of speedbouts in the mouth of the river, they sometimes use it to turn when pulling wake boarders.

Ins and Outs:

Park up next to the petrol station opposite The Spotsman pub in Cliffsend. From there you will be able to carry or drag your kayak across the mud flats. Head right towards the nature reserve you will soon see the mouth of the river.

Notes:

As long as you don’t mind getting a bit muddy it is well worth the trip.

Overview:

Head out across the bay and into the estuary of the River Stour, about 200 yards up on the right hab=nd bank you will see plenty of seals. They are quite friendly and will come quite close if you stay still.

Location:

Baia dei Mori on the Mediterranean island of Sardinia is one of those places that you just have to visit. If you appreciate authentic Italian culture, cuisine – all with typical Med flair – fabulous locations and vistas (from a boat or land) then it’s definitely a place for you.

Neilson Holidays opened their Baia dei Mori (Budoni) resort in 2017 and we were fortunate enough to visit before the majority of guests descended. We were given the five star treatment and allowed to play with all the brand new, latest watersports equipment – included the newly rebranded Perception Scooter now the Wave Sport Scooter.

With a whole fleet of kayaks, paddle boards, dinghies, windsurfing equipment, mountain bikes and catamarans there’s plenty to get involved with.

HOW TO GET THERE:

Fly into Olbia from either Heathrow or Bristol. It’s then a 45 minute transfer by coach to the actual resort. Car hire is available but to be honest we’d recommended using the provided transfer as it’s slightly less hassle to begin with. You can always sort car rental later.

FACILITIES:

Neilson’s Baia de Mori hotel was newly refurbished for 2017 and as such the whole complex is pristine. Accommodation comes as garden style villas which have a variety of configurations to suit. There’s a pool bar/restaurant, main dining area and restaurant, spa and well being area plus those all important beach toys to play with. Tennis, mountain biking and kids clubs are also available. It’s also possible to kitesurf (offsite) for a small supplement.

HAZARDS:

From a kayaking point of view there’s very little in the way of hazards. Rocks flank the beach to the right, which are worth steering clear of if you’re an anxious paddler. Confident kayakers, however, are free to investigate the rocky shoreline here.

Seaweed (thick seaweed at that!) had been washed up on the beach during our visit. This isn’t so much a hazard but it is thick enough to end up sinking in during launching so worth noting.

Baia dei Mori does get breezy – usually around late morning. The wind blows in a cross offshore direction so worth keeping an eye on as windy conditions could make getting back to the beach tricky. That said there are plenty of rescue boats on hand should you need a lift. It’s also worth watching out for other watercraft as some pilots aren’t the most experienced.

INS AND OUTS:

The put in is straight out front as you hit the beach. Neilson have a designated sailing area which is marked by buoys dropped in the drink offshore. There’s plenty of space though to roam free in your kayak.

NOTES:

If you’re of a culinary bent then the surrounding restaurants in the area offer superb dining. Authentic Italian cuisine, cooked in a home style manner with hearty potions are typically what you’ll discover. Although we didn’t investigate there are no doubt even more options further afield should you choose to have a look/see.

OVERVIEW:

Baia dei Mori, part of Budoni Village, is a stunning and tranquil corner of Sardinia. With azure blue, shallow water and Neilson’s high end watersports club facilities on hand you’ll be spoilt for choice in terms of what activities you can get involved with – not just kayaking. Tuition is offered, free of charge, plus all the necessary tools to have you up and riding whatever craft you take out.

The bay itself is perfect for cruising about aboard a sit on top and it’s also a cracking place to introduce your offspring to the joys of paddling. If they join in with kids club then they’ll be taken on the water as standard anyway.

And don’t forget the exquisite food which we’ve already mentioned. It’s pretty good at the hotel itself but get out beyond the confines and you’ll discover some amazing Italian eating.

Lake Vyrnwy is a reservoir in Powys, Wales.

To launch you kayak it will cost you £4.50 for the day. You will be issued with a flag and a whistle from the boat house. You are restricted to a certain area of the reservoir, nevertheless, its still a pretty decent size areas for beginners to paddle on.

You can’t launch your kayak unless someone is manning the boat house.

Bethania Adventure provide kayaks & canoes if you don’t have your own, buoyancy aids are provided & wetsuit are also available to hire.

How to get there:

Facilities:

Free parking.
Extremely clean toilets (infact it boasts ‘Loo of the year’ 2002/2003).
On-site light refreshments.

Hazards:

Dinghy sailors also use the reservoir so you need to keep your eyes pealed.

Ins and Outs:

Slipway.

Overview:

Man made reservoir (Though you would not think it) owned by Severn Trent Water, set at the base of the Snowdonia National Park. Fantastic place for beginners to go and reasonably quiet.

Location:

Reach Lode & Wicken Lode are part of a series of waterways in Cambridgeshire which all connect to the River Cam. This particular route is a ‘there and back’ style paddle that’s worth it for the novelty of being above the fields on either side during your trip. As the Fenland peat has dried out the fields have sunk which now gives this elevated paddling experience.

Along the route are a few options for stop offs and refreshments – one of which is The Five Mile Inn at Wicken Lode.

Burwell Lode is also easy to access but is notorious for being weedy so you may want to avoid it!

After an hour or so of gentle paddling you will come across your destination point of Reach.

Reach was a major medieval port and merchants who had travelled across the North Sea navigated their boats along these waters to access the many trade fairs that used to take place.

Reach is also the area where you will find the Devil’s Dyke earthworks. These are Anglo Saxon in origin and were put in place to defend East Anglia against attack.

You can also access the Wicken Fen Nature Reserve from Reach, which is the largest preserved piece of Fenland in Britain.

After exploring the area and taking in the sites you make the return journey back the way you have come.

These waters are extremely sheltered and offer the perfect combination of tranquil paddling and sightseeing. Some of the local wildlife you can encounter in this area is stunning.

The total journey time is 9 miles and is easily accessible for the whole family.

How to get there:

Turn north off the A1102 (Cambridge) and follow signs along the Burwell Road.

Facilities:

There are no onsite facilities as such but refreshment stops are available at points along the route.

Hazards:

There are no serious hazards to speak of in the Fens although at times you may encounter fisherman, other water users and wildlife.

Ins and Outs:

The best launch spot is at the north end of Reach village where you drop in from the side of the road.

Notes:

During winter the Fens do sometimes freeze over – at these times you can instead witness the sport of Fen Skating, a form of ice skating. In days of past farmers would compete for prizes of meat and clothing and you would often see these goods hung outside of pubs during the skating season – ready to be claimed by the victorious.

Overview:

Wicken Fen is part of a network of wet lands (Fenlands) that stretch out across four different counties – Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. Wicken Fen is located in Cambridgeshire and is a recognised spot for outstanding natural beauty.

Location:

I took my cub-scout group there one evening and to see 25 kids having one whale of a laugh for a couple of hours was fantastic. Strongly recommended

How to get there:

It is hiden away a bit round the back of Sandhurst, Hampshire.

See their specific website for extra details

Facilities:

Rental of equipment
Good size car park
Snack/tuck shop
Changing facilities
Begineers area, protected from the main lake as well

Hazards:

Other users!
Can get very busy on occasion

Ins and Outs:

Several entry points anf a jetty

Notes:

Great enthusiastic tuition.
Not really for advanced paddlers, unless you just fancy a quick paddle and are in the area

Overview:

A great little site which caters for beginners and youngsters in particular.

Sit-ons, stand up paddlers, rowboats and the like are available for easy hire.

Location:

Loe Beach is a sheltered, and fairly safe, sand and shingle beach that’s great for swimming, kayaking and other watersports such as sailing and windsurfing. Loe Beach Watersports Centre hire kayaks right at the put in spot so there’s no need to bring your own – great if you’re short on space or travelling by train.

The launch spot of Loe gives access to a wide watery area that you can explore until your heart’s content. Paddling south you’ll eventually come upon Mylor Yacht Haven which is a busy little marina village that’s perfect for stopping off on your paddling jaunt. A pleasant harbour side café/restaurant serves up some particularly tasty ice cream flavours to get your chops around. If you fancied a spot of lunch then you could also do that here.

Heading left after launching you’ll then find a network of estuaries and inlets, all waiting to be explored on your kayak. For those really feeling up to it; paddling from Loe all the way into Truro itself is possible. If you do fancy having a crack at this route then be aware of tides and boating traffic. It’s also worth carrying a chart so you don’t get lost in the many inlets – something which is easy to do. Paddlers looking to not exert themselves so fully will find the, mostly, gentle waters around Loe Beach perfectly adequate for having a bash at some paddling fun.

If you’re thinking of hiring a boat then Loe Beach Watersports Centre has either single or tandem kayaks on offer. The centre also runs coaching programmes and guided paddling tours. You’ll get to experience the best this area has to offer without worrying about navigation duties yourself. Having a trained and qualified instructor on hand will instil confidence and help you build those necessary fundamental skills for when you do eventually go it alone. And don’t forget, if the weather isn’t playing ball for kayaking adventures, the centre is able to offer other activities such as stand up paddle boarding, dinghy sailing and windsurfing.

Once you’re done with your days saltwater experiences you’ll find plenty of places to relax and talk story about your kayaking adventures. Truro and the surrounds boast plenty of restaurants and pubs to choose from with establishments to match most budgets.

How to get there:

As you head along the A39 you’ll need to take the B3289 towards Feock and the King Harry Ferry. After roughly 2.5 miles you’ll see Loe Beach sign posted. Coming from Roselands; take the first left after Telissick Gardens and continue following directions to Loe Beach.

Facilities:

An established watersports centre is right onsite that offers kayak hire. There’s a well stocked watersports shop for those needing spares or replacements and a café selling food and beverage refreshments is available just a short hop away from the water.

Hazards:

Tides, harsh weather, during periods, and boating traffic are all worth taking note of. Bathers also frequent Loe Beach during the summer months and you’ll need to steer clear.

Ins and Outs:

Unload your boat and then simply drag it the short distance to the water’s edge.

Notes:

Plenty of other watersports entertainment is on offer at the centre and for those who want to take part in dry land activities; there are some good cycle and walking routes on offer in the area.

Overview:

Loe beach, Feock, is a sheltered spot that sits on the banks of the Carrick Roads waterway about 10 minutes from Truro. It’s a popular haven for boats and during summer months you’ll find many moored vessels lying anchored just off the beach. Launching here gives paddlers the opportunity of exploring the extensive area which is fantastic for kayaking and other watersports.

You could navigate your way along towards Mylor Yacht Harbour and further on towards Falmouth if you wished. Or perhaps you fancy checking out the many other inlets dotted around; whatever your kayaking preferences you’ll be well served with a visit here.

Location:

Aberafon campsite is on the North Wales Coast on the Llyn Peninsula at Gyrn Goch between Caernarfon & Pwllheli. The site adjoins a private beach with access to a slipway to launch your kayak if the tide is in. If the tide is out you have to carry your kayak down to water, over a rocks initially, but then it becomes sandy.

How to get there:

There’s a tricky, steep single track lane off the A499 between Caernafon and Pwhelli.

Facilities:

Facilities on the campsite include
Boat Launch
Toilets & showers
Laundry facilities
Site shop during the main holiday period

Hazards:

Rocky beach at low tide.

Ins and Outs:

Concrete slipway when the tide is in.

Notes:

Campfires are allowed on the the beach. Fire wood can be bought from the campsite at a reasonable price.
Pets are allowed.

Overview:

Picturesque coast line.

Location:

Directly out front of Eastoke Corner beach car park is a slightly steeper part of the beach than Beachlands. This does mean that the shore break, at higher tide, is significant and should be taken note of by lesser skilled paddlers. Lower waters are fine for all levels.

Paddlers continuing their journey east need to be aware of ebbs and flows of Chichester Harbour. Once over the sand bank the water that sluices in and out is extremely strong. It’s also an area that gets busy with boat traffic.

This area of Hayling also gets a bit more wave action than further west and during large swells will see good riding on offer for those who have the skills.

If you carry on past the sailing club (HISC) then there are a number of sheltered creeks that offer tranquil and peaceful paddling at higher states of tide. Wildlife is abundant in this area and the chances of spotting seals and rare birds are probable.

How to get there:

Head across the bridge and continue all the way down to the sea front. As you come to the roundabout, in front of the funfair, hang a left and continue to where the amusement arcade and Lifeboat Inn are located. There’s a large car park area to the right.

Facilities:

Toilets, parking and various retail outlets just over the road from the drop in point at Eastoke Corner. There isn’t anything at Sandy Point other than a nature reserve flanking the beach.

Hazards:

Strong tides, boat traffic, fishermen and sometimes harsh weather need to be handled.

Ins and Outs:

Put in right opposite the car park at Eastoke Corner. Paddle up to Sandy Point and round into the harbour.

Notes:

Hayling Island is the home paddling spot of sitons.com so please feel free to get in touch if you have any questions relating to paddling on the island.

Overview:

The eastern side of Hayling is mainly used by locals and those in the know. Offering more shelter from the predominant westerly wind, this neck of the woods is where to head to get away from it all and score a session to yourself.

Location: