Menai Bridge Slipway

The Menai Strait (Welsh: Afon Menai, the "river Menai") is a narrow stretch of shallow tidal water about 25 km long. It separates the island of Anglesey from the mainland of Wales. The differential tides at the two ends of the strait cause very strong currents to flow in both directions through the strait at different times, creating dangerous conditions. One of the most dangerous areas of the strait is known as the Swellies (or Swillies – Welsh Pwll Ceris) between the two bridges. Here, rocks near the surface cause over-falls and local whirlpools, which can be of considerable danger in themselves and cause small boats to founder on the rocks. The tidal effects observed along the banks of the strait can be confusing. A rising tide approaches from the south-west, causing the water in the strait to flow north-eastwards as the level rises. The tide also flows around Anglesey until, after a few hours, it starts to flow into the strait in a south-westerly direction from Beaumaris. By the time, the tidal flow from the Caernarfon end is weakening and the tide continues to rise in height but the direction of tidal flow is reversed. A similar sequence is seen in reverse on a falling tide. This means that slack water between the bridges tends to occur approximately one hour before high tide or low tide. The Menai Strait is a popular place for paddle boarders but caution and experience is required due to the currents, especially around the bridge. There are bays and lagoons along the Menai Strait which provide a calm place to check it out and acclimatise to the conditions.