Wales is a land of water, or ‘dwr’ as we call it in Welsh. With its numerous lakes, rivers, waterfalls and miles of coastline, our stunning landscape is shaped by its waterways and tides. When exploring the region by train, you have the opportunity to experience the power of water on both a journey on the Conwy Valley Line or the North West Wales Coast Line. One line follows a world-famous river into the heart of Eryri (Snowdonia), while the other travels alongside the Irish Sea and terminates at one of the busiest sea ports in the UK. Hop on the train and it’s literally water, water everywhere!
And where there is water, there are watersports – an abundance of them here in North Wales. If you’re planning a visit and are open to getting your toes wet, you’ll be delighted to learn that some of the most thrilling North Wales watersports can easily be reached by train. So, let’s dive right in and explore some of our favorite watersports activities accessible from train stations along the North West Wales Coast Line and Conwy Valley Line.
Please note: The information provided below includes the most convenient station for each attraction and the best way to reach the attraction from the station. However, public transport times and services may vary, so we recommend checking with Traveline Cymru for the most up-to-date information.
Go inland surfing at Adventure Parc Snowdonia, Dolgarrog
Nearest station: Llandudno, Conwy Valley Line. Jump on the number 19 bus, which runs regularly from the station to the Adventure Parc in Dolgarrog.
Arguably, Adventure Parc Snowdonia – along with zipline utopia ZipWorld – has put North Wales firmly on the map as the Adventure Capital of the UK. This family-friendly attraction attracts rookie and pro surfers from around the world to its innovative wave garden – a massive inland surf lagoon. Experienced surfers can test their skills against waves of varying difficulty, while beginners can enjoy taster sessions or lessons with qualified instructors. Adventure Parc Snowdonia also offers a range of indoor and outdoor adventure activities, making it a year-round, all-weather destination for adrenaline enthusiasts.
For more information about Adventure Parc Snowdonia surf lessons and other activities, click here.
Powerboat with RibRide, Menai Bridge
Nearest station: Bangor, North West Wales Coast Line. Take bus service X4, 62 or 63 for the short journey to the powerboat centre – services may vary at weekends.
RibRide offers thrilling boat tours of the Menai Strait and beyond. Whether you’re interested in leisurely sightseeing or a heart-pumping high-speed adventure, it has the perfect voyage for you. Hop aboard a Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) and explore the islands and inlets around the Anglesey coastline up close. With speeds reaching up to 45mph, be prepared for an exhilarating, bumpy and – yep, you guessed it – wet ride! With trips ranging from 40 minutes to several hours, you’ll pass some of the region’s best-known landmarks on your voyage. Have your camera at the ready for stunning shots of Caernarfon Castle, Puffin Island, Beaumaris and Thomas Telford’s famous suspension bridge (landmarks vary depending on the trip selected).
To find out more about RibRide’s various excursions, click here.
Try kayaking with Sea Kayaking Wales, Bodorgan
Nearest station: Bodorgan, North West Wales Coast Line. The kayak centre is just a short walk from the station.
Anglesey, known for its natural beauty, offers a truly unique perspective when viewed from the water. And there’s no better way to experience the amazing Anglesey scenery than by kayak. Sea Kayaking Wales, conveniently located near Bodorgan station, provides the perfect opportunity to explore the island’s coastal wonders.
With your Sea Kayaking Wales instructor, you’ll venture out onto the open water and navigate your way through sheltered coves and bays – these are places no one can access on foot! While paddling keep an eye out for the local wildlife that calls this coastal paradise home – Anglesey and the North Wales coast are havens for many unique types of wildlife including dolphins, rare seabirds and seals.
So if the sea’s calling, get in touch with Sea Kayaking Wales to book your excursion.
Surf’s up with Funsport, Rhosneigr
Nearest station: Rhosneigr, North West Wales Coast Line. The village centre is a pleasant twenty-minute walk from the station. Alternatively, catch the bus (service 45 or 25) from the stop outside the station – services may vary on weekends.
While Anglesey may not be as famous as Devon or Cornwall for surfing, it offers fantastic surf spots for those in the know. With a choice of beautiful, flat sandy beaches – Traeth Llydan and Traeth Crigyll – Rhosneigr takes the crown as surf capital of Anglesey. This vibrant seaside resort is the perfect place to catch some waves, especially for beginners looking to ‘test the water’. The whole west coast of Anglesey is a Mecca for watersports enthusiasts, and Funsport in Rhosneigr is a go-to destination for your paddleboarding, kitesurfing, surfing and wakeboarding gear. Funsport also offers expert surf tuition, making Rhosneigr an ideal destination to safely experience some of the UK’s finest waves.
To book your surf lesson with Funsport, click here.
Go coasteering with Active Cymru, Trearddur Bay
Nearest station: Valley, North West Wales Coast Line. Trearddur Bay can be reached in 10 minutes by bus from the station – catch service 4 or 4R – services may vary on weekends. The coasteering meeting point is just a short walk from the bus stop at the Trearddur Bay Hotel.
What’s coasteering we hear you ask? Well, imagine this: rock-hopping, scrambling, clambering and wading through water to explore caves, traverse cliffs and tread on beaches human feet rarely reach. That’s coasteering!
With the guidance of experienced instructors from Active Cymru, you can safely enjoy this environmentally low-impact activity and witness the incredible coastal scenery from a perspective few get to see.
Head over to the Active Cymru website to learn more about coasteering and book your coastal adventure.
Staying safe on the water
Whichever watersport you choose you’ll be well looked after by a qualified instructor but it’s useful to familiarise yourself with the skills for being safe out on the water beforehand. The weather, the tides and the slope of the beach are just a few factors that can influence your safety in the water on any given day. All of these things can change in an instant so just because it’s calm and sunny when you set out, don’t assume it will be like that an hour later. The Adventure Smart UK website is an excellent resource for staying safe in the Great Outdoors and has some really useful sections on watersports – check it out here.
So, have we whet your appetite for some splashing good fun this summer? With all these watersports and more accessible from the train, you can be surfing in Dolgarrog on Monday and coasteering on Anglesey on Tuesday – it really is that easy and convenient by public transport!