Snorkelling on Gower - South Wales?

[flyless]

Hi guys,

Does anyone know any good sports for snorkelling on the Gower Penninsula, South Wales?

I'm off there this weekend for a camping trip and can't wait to get in the water!

Struggling to find any info online though...

Any suggestions greatly appreaciated :)

[Brian Kellett]

To be fair, Gower is not generally the best area for snorkelling, even by UK standards! Last summer we experienced exceptional conditions off the rocky parts of the coastline (my local beach is Mewslade - lots of gullies, reefs and fish) - the viz was up to 10, or even, once, 15 metres (in places!). Usually you're lucky to get 2 metre viz. We have had a week or two of calm weather, with clearish water this year.

In terms of locations, subject to the usual warnings about currents and surf, the best areas are those off the rocky south coast. Access can be difficult in any but the calmest conditions. It's probably best to avoid places like Worms Head and its Causeway - very strong currents when the tide starts to move - we lost an experienced outdoor pursuits instructor last year, who tried to swim back from the Worm after being cut off, the local Coast Guard is very busy!

Porteynon can be good, and is sheltered from smaller swells. Another area worth looking at is Burry Holme and nearer to Mumbles, Pwll Ddu - but only if you can pronounce it!

If you're travelling from afar, you would do better to bypass Gower and go straight on to Pembrokeshire, an hour or two further, for more reliable conditions.