The Conwy Estuary is a busy place in summer. Its sheltered waters make it an ideal place for water-skiers, small speedboats, and an anchorage for those wanting to spend the afternoon chilling out in the sun.
The whole area is full of sandbanks and, as the tide starts to ebb, all the boats disappear back to safer waters. All becomes peaceful as the water starts to go.
Slowly the biggest of the sandbanks appears out of the water and, as it does, the birds start to land for a seafood lunch. Then, slowly at first, the other sandbanks emerge from the water. Soon they are appearing all around you and then you feel the bottom of the boat gently kiss the liquid sand beneath you.
As the water disappears, sand is built up around the boat holding her steady, then you are aground. The sand becomes firmer as the water drains away leaving you free to wander around. The sand in the Conwy estuary is as good as you will find on many beaches and is ideal for a picnic or BBQ. Be prepared though - you are there for several hours so make sure you are completely self sufficient.
As the tide turns the water starts to creep back in... slowly at first, but then the sand starts to rapidly disappear. Watching it return from the safety of your boat is a fascinating experience, one which I can watch time and time again. Finally you are afloat and as the force of the tide coming in overcomes to force of the river flowing out, the boat finally swings to face the incoming tide. Soon the estuary will be full of water-skiers and boats once again.
If you do decide to experience the sandbanks, please make sure that you have plenty of local knowledge. If you end up on the edge of one the steep sided sandbanks you could be in trouble. Don’t take risks; the sand becomes soft as the water returns, making it difficult to walk on. Make sure you know the tide times and remember that the tide in estuary is not the same as the tide at Conwy.
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