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Wales Online
18-05-2025
- Wales Online
Hidden sea caves in Wales look like tropical paradise but there's danger lurking nearby
Hidden sea caves in Wales look like tropical paradise but there's danger lurking nearby The caves in Anglesey have been described as a 'cathedral' with light dancing on the azure water and scattering across rock walls Kayakers explore the 'Electric Blue Cave' in north Wales (Image: Eila Wilkinson Sea Kayaking ) A rugged stretch of coastline on Anglesey boasts some of the best clifftop walks in Wales - the views are breathtaking, and the sea air invigorating. However, for some, the true allure lies beneath. Just around the bend from Rhoscolyn on Holy Island, you'll find a complex network of inlets, fissures and tiny coves carved out by the sea. Beyond the Rhoscolyn headland lie the area's two most notable features, the natural sea arches of Bwa Du (Black Arch) and Bwa Gwyn (White Arch), the latter sculpted from white quartzite rocks. Nestled at the base of the towering cliffs are several caves accessible only by kayak. One such cave, resembling an open mouth with giant fangs, has been dubbed Electric Blue by climbers often spotted scaling the rockface above it. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here . Perhaps the most awe-inspiring is a sea cave locally known as the Blowhole. On a good day, when the weather is calm and sunlight filters in, it feels like stepping into a cathedral, with light dancing on the turquoise water and scattering across the rocky walls. This week, Eila Wilkinson, a kayak guide and coach based in Amlwch, took a group of Swiss visitors to the cave, reports North Wales Live. "I must have visited this cave a million times," she shared. "But this week it was extraordinarily spectacular." Article continues below The brightly coloured Serpent's Cave at Porth y Rhwydau further up the coast (Image: Philip Taylor ) She added: "After entering the cave you come to an open hole at the far end with a shaft of light beaming into the water. With it being so calm, the water was clear and the light turned it emerald. It was absolutely stunning." With 16 years of experience coaching kayakers and running her own business for the past seven, Eila is intimately familiar with every contour of Anglesey's coastline. The Blowhole Cave reveals another marvel when the swells grow and the wind intensifies. "You can hear the hiss of escaping air from small gap in the rock," she said, adding: "It's like a dragon is breathing inside." The coast of Anglesey lays bare millennia of history through its complex layers of folded rock – a feature that has earned it the status of UNESCO Global GeoPark for its significant geological heritage. The shoreline is dotted with peculiar formations, ranging from gargoyle-like rocks to the vividly hued Serpent's Cave at Porth Rhwydau. Climbers are drawn to the cliffs in the area, although further along the coast at The Range, there's currently a six-month ban on all adventure activities. Navigating under Bwa Gwyn (White Arch) at Rhoscolyn headland (Image: Eila Wilkinson Sea Kayaking ) At the Rhoscolyn headland, the most adept climbers are a pair of Kashmiri goats, transplanted from Llandudno's Great Orme. Kayakers who paddle by are often surprised to find these goats perched on cliff ledges, observing the brightly coloured visitors with their buoyant crafts. Generations of goats have made the cliffs their home, introduced with the intention that their grazing would enhance habitats for choughs, the red-legged crows that are among Wales' most emblematic birds. By last year, whispers circulated that one goat had vanished, having been a tad too nonchalant on the cliffs. The remaining goat, presumably feeling lonely, was reported to have started mingling with local sheep. Two new goats were brought in and have since become well-established members of the community, christened Branwen and Seren by schoolchildren from Rhoscolyn. Eila often brings beginner kayakers to this coastal stretch specifically to experience its tidal races. Owing to its rocky geology and tidal range, Holy Island boasts some of the world's finest examples. The tidal races near Rhoscolyn are slightly less intense than those at South and North Stacks. They can be found at Ynysoedd Gwylanod (Seagulls Islands), rocky outcrops where a navigational beacon sits atop the largest to warn vessels of the potential hazards. Paddleboarders tend to avoid this area, it being reserved solely for seasoned kayakers. "The tidal races are notoriously fast and dangerous," said Aila, an expedition leader who has solo circumnavigated Ireland and the Outer Hebrides. "But with a guide, it's a good training ground for novices. If you want to explore the area safely, I'd recommend getting in touch with one of Anglesey's kayak guides. "People come to Anglesey purely to learn about the island's tides, which are amongst the strongest in the world. If you experience them here, you can safely navigate pretty much anywhere." This sentiment echoes what Lord Nelson of Trafalgar once remarked about the Menai Strait. The Anglesey Coastal Path skirts above Blowhole Cave, yet views into its depths are hidden by a towering dry stone wall. The path narrows precariously close to a sheer drop, safeguarded by railings. During stormy weather, the concealed blowhole forcefully ejects mist over the adjacent fields. In the vicinity of Porth Saint, it is believed that St Gwenfaen and her missionary companions first set foot on Anglesey in the 6th century. Hailing from Scotland or perhaps the Isle of Man, she is credited with establishing a religious settlement atop Rhoscolyn Head after scaling the cliffs. A mere half-mile from there, in Rhoscolyn, stands the sole church in Wales dedicated to St Gwenfaen. Once a significant pilgrimage site, Rhoscolyn was originally known as Llanwenfaen (Church of Gwenfaen). Perched on the headland, a short distance of 230 metres from the blowhole, lies St Gwenfaen's well, one of Anglesey's most intact holy wells. Over the past hundred years, it has become synonymous with mental health, a blessing thought to be secured by offering two white pebbles. However, a vigorous stroll or kayak along this dramatic coastline might just be as beneficial for one's mental state. For more information on Eila Wilkinson Sea Kayaking, please visit here. Article continues below
North Wales Live
17-05-2025
- North Wales Live
The hidden sea caves of North Wales that look like a tropical paradise
A stretch of rugged coastline on Anglesey offers some of the finest clifftop walks in Wales - the views are spectacular, the sea air bracing. But for some, it's below where the real magic lies. Here, around the corner from Rhoscolyn on Holy Island, is an intricate array of inlets, clefts and tiny coves hewn out by the sea. Just beyond Rhoscolyn headland are the area's two most distinctive features, the natural sea arches of Bwa Du (Black Arch) and Bwa Gwyn (White Arch), the latter moulded from white quartzite rocks. At the foot of the coastline's towering cliffs are several caves that can be reached only by kayak. One, gaping open like a mouth with giant fangs, has been christened Electric Blue by climbers who can often by seen clambering up the rockface above it. Perhaps the most impressive is a sea cave known colloquially at the Blowhole. On the right day, when conditions are calm and sunshine streams in, it's like entering a cathedral, with light dancing on the azure water and scattering across rock walls. Taking a group of Swiss visitors to the cave this week was Eila Wilkinson, an Amlwch -based kayak guide and coach. 'I must have visited this cave a million times,' she said. 'But this week it was extraordinarily spectacular. Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone 'After entering the cave you come to an open hole at the far end with a shaft of light beaming into the water. With it being so calm, the water was clear and the light turned it emerald. It was absolutely stunning.' Having coached kayakers for 16 years, operating her own business for the last seven, Eila knows every inch of Anglesey 's coastline. When swells deepen and the wind picks up, Blowhole Cave gives up another of its secrets. 'You can hear the hiss of escaping air from small gap in the rock,' she said, mimicking the sound. 'It's like a dragon is breathing inside.' Millennia of history are exposed on a coastline composed of intricate layers of folded rock – one reason why Anglesey is an UNESCO Global GeoPark due to its geological heritage. Weird formations abound, from gargoyle rocks to the brightly coloured Serpent's Cave further up at Porth Rhwydau. Climbing is popular on the area's cliffs - though further up the coast at The Range, a six-month exclusion zone is now in place for all adventure activities. At Rhoscolyn headland, the most sure-footed inhabitants are an unlikely pair of Kashmiri goats uprooted from Llandudno's Great Orme. Startled kayakers passing by often come across them lounging on ledges and gazing curiously at the day-glo interlopers with floats instead of legs. Successive generations of goats have occupied the cliffs. They were introduced in the hope their grazing would improve habitats for chough, the red-legged crows that are among Wales' most iconic birds. By last year, there were rumours one goat had disappeared, having been a little too casual on the cliffs. The other, presumably lonely, was said to have begun hanging out with local sheep. Two replacement goats were shipped in and they have since become firmly established, named Branwen and Seren by Rhoscolyn schoolchildren. Often Eila brings novice kayakers to this stretch of coast purely to experience its tidal races. Thanks to its rocky geology and tidal range, Holy Island has some of the world's best examples. Those near Rhoscolyn are slightly gentler than tidal races at South and North Stacks. They can be found at Ynysoedd Gwylanod (Seagulls Islands), rocky outcrops on which a navigational beacon sits on the largest to warn vessels of the dangers they pose. Paddleboarders steer clear of this place, it being the preserve only of experienced kayakers. 'The tidal races are notoriously fast and dangerous,' said Aila, an expedition leader who has solo circumnavigated Ireland and the Outer Hebrides. 'But with a guide, it's a good training ground for novices. If you want to explore the area safely, I'd recommend getting in touch with one of Anglesey's kayak guides. 'People come to Anglesey purely to learn about the island's tides, which are amongst the strongest in the world. If you experience them here, you can safely navigate pretty much anywhere.' Lord Nelson of Trafalgar said much the same about the Menai Strait. Anglesey Coastal Path runs above Blowhole Cave, though views of its cavity are obscured by an impressively high dry stone wall. It's near safety railings where the path narrows above a sheer drop. When the wind and waves pick up, the hidden blowhole spews out spray across surrounding farmland. In nearby Porth Saint, St Gwenfaen and her fellow missionaries were said to have landed on Anglesey in the 6th century. Originally from Scotland, or possibly the Isle of Man, she is reputed to have founded a cell on Rhoscolyn Head having climbed the cliffs. Half a mile away in Rhoscolyn is the only church in Wales dedicated to St Gwenfaen. Once an important place of pilgrimage, Rhoscolyn itself was formerly called Llanwenfaen (Church of Gwenfaen). On the headland, 230 metres from the blowhole, is St Gwenfaen's well, one of the best preserved on Anglesey. Over the last century it's become associated with mental wellbeing, secured by offering two white pebbles. In reality, a bracing walk or paddle along this spectacular coastline will do the job just as well. Get the best island stories from our Anglesey newsletter - sent every Friday Details about Eila Wilkinson Sea Kayaking can be found here.
