Geo Travel Blog

Enjoy the small, sheltered and cosy delights of east facing Traeth Bychan beach near Benllech, down a narrow country lane off the A5025. If you want to really appreciate some fine sea and mountain views covering Llanddona, the Carneddau peaks above Bangor, Puffin Island and Liverpool Bay, you must come here.

Traeth Bychan beach is compact with rocky features on each side and a changing mix of sand and pebbles as you move up the beach towards the dinghy park at the back. Red Wharf Bay Sailing and Watersports Club is situated at the top of the beach on a stone and concrete base, and it is from here that you will see various dinghy classes, small day fishing craft and the odd jet ski being launched.

As the 4×4 reversed down the small slipway onto the sand, a few keen but tired sailors waded into the water in wetsuit to help align the boat on the trolley. This is quite a good spot to launch a boat, except in a strong easterly gale, given its position relative to the prevailing winds on Anglesey. The dinghy park is home to Mirrors, GP14′s, Lasers, Toppers and others.

Above the Traeth Bychan beach are thick grassy slopes which cover some interesting looking rock formations. The Anglesey coastal path runs along here on its way between Moelfre in the north to Benllech. If you would like to enjoy some views from the coastal path, it is easy to join. As you approach this cove there is a gate just behind the beach cottage, built above the high water mark, which takes you onto the footpath.

If you want a cup of coffee, tea or an ice cream, don’t worry, as Traeth Bychan beach cafe is literally only about 25 metres up on the right from this small sandy cove. Next to the cafe is a public car park with space for about 25 cars. Opposite the cafe and also on the hill behind are static caravans, which could be a good vacation base for your island explorations.

A good time to come to this quiet, sheltered beach is autumn and winter, when you can really appreciate the fine sea views and coastal walks, with little if any boating activity taking place. Traeth Bychan has a historic angle which many are not aware of, relating to a maritime incident in Liverpool bay.

Built in Cammell Laird ship yard in 1938, the “T” class submarine HMS Thetis left the Mersey on 1 June 1939 with a crew of 103, sailing out to Liverpool Bay to carry out some tests. Some unusual and catastrophic events took place while she was submerged and 99 men lost their lives. A few months later, the Thetis was refloated and brought onto Traeth Bychan beach.

Whether you come here on a fine, clear winter’s day for a walk across the beach, or in the heat of a summer’s day are launching your dinghy for coastal exploration, the memory of Thetis and her lost crew will remain.

The author, David Phillips, comes from magical Anglesey island off North Wales, and manages an online resource focusing on local news and events. Enjoy wonderful sea views, or sail your boat from the quiet beach at Traeth Bychan near Moelfre.