Walney Island

Large very gently shelving sandy beaches.

Submitted by:
Anonymous
Updated:
9th May 2004

Walney Island
by: gazxtreme

Photo of Walney Island beach - 23.5m monster

Walney Island
by: gazxtreme

Photo of Walney Island beach - sideshore wind for wave jumping

Walney Island
by: gazxtreme

Photo of Walney Island beach - Lone kitesurfer at low tide

Walney Island
by: gazxtreme

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There are two spots on Walney Island, Earnse and The Tip. Both are quite large very gently shelving sandy beaches, a few stones at the tip, which are no real hazard. There are no enclosing headlands so both are fully exposed to the Irish Sea. The tidal flow is not strong, however the range is quite large.

The tide flows generally north on the ebb, south on the flood. At high tide the water is up on the pebbles creating a shore dump, at low tide it goes a long way out but is still ok on smaller tides. At earnse low water on big tides there is an off shore bank which is shallow can have some rocks. Also at half tide be careful off a few rocks at the south end of the beach, otherwise no hazards.

Best from southerly to north westerly winds. The few hours around half tide are best. Both have wind driven 'waves' great for jumping but no real wave riding potential. Slightly better waves at the tip, Earnse can get a bit closed out and not much gap between waves. However Earnse is the more attractive beach and has a small grassy rigging up area by the track. Earnse faces approx westerly and The tip more south westerly.

If there is no one at earnse most of the locals will probably be at Roa Island. If it is very windy southerly to northwesterly there will nearly always be a few wave sailors at The Tip, otherwise no one will be there. If it is very windy, HW and sw'ly (dead on shore at the tip) those seeking 'waves' may try Aldingham.

To find Walney Island rive to Barrow in Furness, at mini roundabout by KFC turn right. Then 1/4 mile turn right over the bridge to Walney.

For Earnse
turn right off the bridge, 1/4 mile turn left into mill lane, turn right to west shore/earnse. go to the end then down the track and park infront of the beach.
for the tip,
turn left off the bridge, after about 1/2 mile take the left at the bottom of the hill, few miles down this road there is a right turn into a short track leading to an un surfaced parking area over looking the beach

Windsurfing = Windsurfing
Kite-Surfing = Kite-Surfing
Kiting = Kiting
Other = kite buggy at earnse
Intermediates = Intermediates
Experts = Experts
Conditions = best from southerly to north westerly winds. the few hours around half tide are best. both have wind driven 'waves' great for jumping but no real wave riding potential. slightly better waves at the tip, earnse can get a bit closed out and not much gap between waves. however earnse is the more attractive beach and has a small grassy rigging up area by the track. earnse faces approx westerly and the tip more south westerly.
Parking = Parking
Amenities =
B&B = B&B
Hotel = Hotel
Accomodation =
Restrictions =
Comments =

Surf Conditions at Walney Island are Not Good

Buggying Conditions at Walney Island can be OK

Windsurfing Conditions at Walney Island can be Excellent

Kitesurfing Conditions at Walney Island can be Good

Windsurfing at Walney Island

Kitesurfing at Walney Island

NW	N	NE

W		E

SW	S	SE

NW	N	NE

W		E

SW	S	SE

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Posted By: gazxtreme
Member

Member#: 1568
Location:
Registered: 01-11-2005
Last Visit: 05-11-2007

kitesurfing Earnse

Kitesurfing can be excellent on Earnse but more for intermediate to advanced riders. It can be tricky launching and landing at higher tides than 7.6m due to the lack of any sand, this is not recomended when there are onshore winds as the wall surrounding the golf course 50m from the water is hard to jump over whilst being dragged by your kite, take it from experience.
Earnse can be kitesurfed at all tide states and at low tide reveals some shallow lagoon type areas but some of these are over rocks so always try to talk to the local kiters there to ask there wherabouts. The best wind directions are N and S as these give cross shore winds, other usable directions are NW, W and SW, although in stronger winds it can be quite messy and at high tide tricky to get out past the swell created by the wind.
There is quite often a local instuctor and a van full of kit with him if you need to hire any extra gear or any advice. There are also about 4 other kiters use the beach so use thier knowledge for safety.