Beach Guide: North West

The protected bay and harbour of Derby Haven can provide perfect windsurfing or kitesurfing conditions a few of hours either side of high tide. Most people tend to park along thr roadside on the way to the golf links hotel and launch from the shingle beach here. Westerly through to Southerly winds produce offshore conditions and mirror smooth water for speed sailing. As the wind swings more to the East then the water becomes choppier allowing for some good bump and jump windsurfing in SE-NE wind directions. Its possible to sail across outside of the breakwater towards the end of the Ronaldsway Airport runway which gives quite a good reach. On less windy days the protected nature of this bay and the shallow water provides ideal conditions for learners. There are a few rocks to watch out for though, especially as the tide recedes, so its worth checking their location at low tide before sailing here. Car Parking is available alongside the road, and the nearest shops and accommodation are in Castletown

The large sandy bay of Castletown can provide some perfect bump and jump windsurfing conditions. The horseshoe shape of the bay means that it is sailable in many wind directions. At low tide a sandy beach is revealed and it is possible to launch all along the beach. Most people however tend to launch either from the small car park at Hango hill in the middle of the bay, or from the tracks off the golf course at the Eastern end of the bay towards Langness point. At low tide even in a howling onshore wind, the waves seem to drop right off allowing for easy launching and landing. At high tide however there can be a nasty shorebreak on the pebble storm bank, especially at Hango Hill. There are also groynes to watch out for to the west of Hango Hill. At hightide therefore, and when the wind is SW and dead onshore at Hango Hill, its best to launch from the Langness end of the bay where the waves are smaller and the wind will be cross-shore. From this location it is possible to blast all the way across to the harbour, but don't fall off in the middle as there is a sewage outlet pipe here.

The proximity of Ronaldsway Airport to this beach means that there can be some REALLY low flying aircraft across Castletown Bay, so don't even attempt to kitesurf here. recently though, people have been kitesurfing here with the permission of the Airport Police. Other people have also been moved on by them. If you want to kitesurf here then phone the airport and get permission first and be prepared to move should they ask you to.

Castletown can also be surfed in big swells, and a there is a nice little right hand reef break off the rocksto the east of the rivermouth. The wave itslef is a nice little easy righthander that needs a big swell for it to have any power Parking is available all along the beach (except in line with the end of the runway) and there is a small car park and grassy rigging area at Hango Hill. There is also limited parking amongst the dunes at the eastern end of the beach. Shops, accomodation and other facilities can be found in Castletown.

Gansey used to be a really good beach for most 'forces-of-nature' sports. However, in recent winters, The Forces-of-Nature have got their own back and there have been several times when the sea wall (and parts of road and peoples gardens) have been washed away. In an attempt to halt this erosion, a larger sea wall and big piles of boulder sea defences have been built, turning a once sandy beach into a big pile of boulders. The beach is still sandy at low tide and windsurfing, kite-surfing and surfing are all possible here. Even at high tide there is a small patch of sand, so all is not lost, but the beach isn't as good as it was. The beach faces SSE so SW winds are cross-onshore. The waves are mainly beach break waves with generally little power, but a small clean wave can sometimes break off the rocks at the western end of the beach.

You can park all along the beach road here and most amenities are available nearby.

The well protected beach at Port St. Mary isn't really suitable for 'forces-of-nature' sports, but the rocks of Callow Point in Point St. Mary can provide some good surf when a decent swell is running. NNW winds are offshore. You can park along the small clifftop at Callow point and all amenities are available in Port St. Mary. This is porbably the most consistent quality surf spot on the Isle of Man.

The well protected beach of Port Erin can provide some good quality beach break waves in big SW swells. SW winds are offshore. I have kite-mountain-boarded on the hard packed sands of the beach as well, but the high hills surrounding the beach tend to make the winds gusty and unpredictable. The hills do however provide some spectacular views and pleasant walks. There is a surf/windsurf shop on the beach and all amenities are available in the town. You can park all along the beach

Information coming soon..

This small rocky cove is certainly not a place suitable for windsurfing, kiting or surfing, but it is a nice place to sit on the cliffs and watch the world go by. There is very little here except a few cliff ptahs and a couple of old fishing cottages.

Ask most Manx people about Peel, and they'll tell you it smells of fish, but I've never noticed it! The fishing town of Peel has two beaches, the main beach is mainly sandy and faces N-NW. Although not used that much for 'forces-of-nature' sports, windsurfing is possible here and parking is usually available along the sea front. although it can get quite busy at times. If you are in Peel, its worth taking a walk around to the other side of the harbour to visit Peel Castle which sits above another small sandy beach known as Fenella. This small sandy beach has rocks at either end and is the only beach to haved passed the mandatory guidelines for beach and water cleanliness on the Isle of Man (as of July 2002). On a clear day it is apossible to see both Scotland and Ireland from the small hill upon which the castle sits. I've also flown kites on the beach in Peel, but the sand is too soft for buggying. All amenities are close to hand in peel itself.

Glen Wyllin is one access point to the long sand and shingle beach that stretches along the NW coast of the Isle of Man. You can park close to the beach just at the top of the small slipway. the whole of this beach is suitable for windsurfing, surfing and kitesurfing. It is backed by unstable sandy cliffs.

The base of the slipway at Glen Wyllin is protected by piles of boulders and at high tide the water comes up top these making the beach unsuitable for 'forces-of-nature' sports for a couple of hours either side of high tide. Once the tide drops a sand and shingle beach is revealed with some fairly large scattered boulders as well. windsurfing and kite-surfing here is good with generally bump and jump conditions in SW through NW to NNE winds which range from cross-shore from the left to onshore to cross-shore from the right. The waves for surfing can be OK, but they generally lack any defined shape. Although they can be pretty steep and punchy.

There is little in the way of amenities at the beach itself excpet camping in Glen Wyllin. Kirk Michael just up the road has most essentials.

Ballaugh is very similar to Glen Wyllin. The beach is more sandy though and has less boulders scattered about it making it more suitable for windsurfing and kiting. I've yet to 'indulge' at this beach yet, so will hold my judgement until I have. Definately a beach worth checking though.

I haven't windsurfed or surfed here yet, but it is possible as is kite-surfing. there is however a very strong rip that runs along the coast here so most people avoid it and head to other beaches on the island.

Information coming soon...

Information coming soon...