SWIM GUIDING:
Guided Swims
The Dyfi and Mawddach estuaries offer some fabulous marathon distance swim adventures on the southern edge of Snowdonia National Park. These are real swim journeys, in stunning locations.
Dawn over the Dyfi Estuary
The Tafol Tumble 8km
Starting form Aberdyfi beach swim all the way to a pebbly beach where the River Tafol joins the Dyfi Estuary. Here you will "tumble-turn" and swim back to Aberdyfi, your tumble will coincide with the turning of the tide, more or less! A total of 8km.
Mawddach 10K
This route is also known as the "Hurly Burly" route. Chief guide Mike has been swimming this route since 2013, long before any Hurly Burly was imagined. In terms of swimming this estuary there's no-one who knows it better.
Mawddach 10K
10 Aug 2025
A fabulous adventure swim in a stunning location, the Mawddach estuary.
A great amphitheatre for an unforgettable swim journey, from Barmouth to Penmaenpool, in a small guided group.
Pre-requisite: Able to swim 3km/h for 2hrs in open water.
This swim is always different, always very special.
Once booked further details & timings will be sent.
We'll transport you from the meeting point to the start of the swim in Barmouth.
Tow-floats mandatory.
Chief guide, Mike, first swam the Dyfi routes in 2012 (launching the Aberdyfi Swim race series in 2017), and the Mawddach 10K in 2013.
The Menai Straits
We offer a 20km castle to castle swim through the infamous Menai Straits. The idea for this swim came from a four-time Dyfi 13 veteran, Darren Payne, who we guided on a fundraising swim on this very route. With over 15 years experience of sea kayaking & swimming around Anglesey, we know how to work the tide.
The Menai Straits 20KM
Wed 13 Aug 2025
The longest guided swim we offer is a journey from Beaumaris to Caernarfon Castle going through the infamous Menai Straits, under the Britannia Bridge and Menai Bridge.
Tow-floats must be worn.
Pre-requisite: Able to swim consistently at 3.4km/h for 3hrs+ in open water. This swim is only for very experienced open water swimmers.
With this pace, and tide assistance, it's expected that the 20km swim will be completed within 4 hours.
Of course the start time is based around the tide, generally this means we meet mid-morning in Caernarfon (the finish point), we will transport you to the start in Beaumaris.
Once booked timings and logistics will be sent.
PREREQUISITE
These are a minimum:
- Mawddach 10K: Open water swim speed of 3km/h sustained over 2 hrs.
- Tafol Tumble: Open water swim speed of 3km/h sustained over 2 hrs.
- The Bridge: Open water swim speed of 3.2km/h sustained over 3 hrs.
- Menai Straits: Open water swim speed of 3.4km/h sustained over 3 hrs.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Small group sizes, all of which will meet the pre-requisite swim speed. We will be in touch with all participants to advise on meeting time & place, and further details about the swim. On the point to point swims transport is provided.
Includes all logistics & shuttles, expert guiding, water safety & first aid, photos, nutrition as required.
WEATHER
If conditions are such that we need to change plan, then we will.
Once you've swum under Barmouth bridge, your swimming amphitheatre awaits
RNLI Fundraiser
On Monday 24 July we helped Darren Payne take on a very special 20km endurance swim from Beaumaris Castle to Caernarfon Castle through the Menai Straits, raising money for Aberystwyth & Borth RNLI. Donations welcome here,
Sue Haines also joined the swim and set a great pace for Darren.
Sue Haines also joined the swim and set a great pace for Darren.
Chief Guide
Heading for some action, Anglesey
Chief guide, Mike, has the qualifications and the experience to make your guided swim a fabulous experience. His open water swimming life really started when he joined The Dolphin Rowing & Swimming Club, San Francisco in 2001. This led him onto many swim adventures and "first descents".
RLSS Open Water Lifeguard, International Sea Kayak Guide, RYA Powerboat Level 2 & Safety Boat, Mountain Leader, RLSS National Water Safety Management Programme Instructor, REC First Aid, RYA Day Skipper, British Canoeing Advanced Sea Kayak Leader, are just a few of his relevant qualifications.
In combination with the highest level qualifications, what is key to success on the Dyfi, Mawddach & the Menai Strait is excellent & recent local knowledge in and on the water, and decades of group management experience in the wilderness.
All staff that we employ are local, highly experienced & qualified outdoor professionals.
RLSS Open Water Lifeguard, International Sea Kayak Guide, RYA Powerboat Level 2 & Safety Boat, Mountain Leader, RLSS National Water Safety Management Programme Instructor, REC First Aid, RYA Day Skipper, British Canoeing Advanced Sea Kayak Leader, are just a few of his relevant qualifications.
In combination with the highest level qualifications, what is key to success on the Dyfi, Mawddach & the Menai Strait is excellent & recent local knowledge in and on the water, and decades of group management experience in the wilderness.
All staff that we employ are local, highly experienced & qualified outdoor professionals.
TESTIMONIAL
Josie was among a group of swimmers who took on The Triple Crown 30km over 3 days, here's what she said:
"A huge thank you for arranging such an amazing weekend. I loved every minute of every swim. They were all very different and posed their own challenges. I even enjoyed the struggle against the tide, although glad it was only a small stretch that was really tough.
I was worried beforehand that those distances in just 3 days might be too much, so finding myself wanting to do more has been a lovely surprise. I hope you have recovered from hours of being on your SUP, that was quite amazing to see.
Many thanks again to you and your team, for a great weekend."
"A huge thank you for arranging such an amazing weekend. I loved every minute of every swim. They were all very different and posed their own challenges. I even enjoyed the struggle against the tide, although glad it was only a small stretch that was really tough.
I was worried beforehand that those distances in just 3 days might be too much, so finding myself wanting to do more has been a lovely surprise. I hope you have recovered from hours of being on your SUP, that was quite amazing to see.
Many thanks again to you and your team, for a great weekend."
The Tafol Tumble 8km, one of our favourites at sunrise
Mike first swam these routes on the Dyfi estuary in 2012, Menai Straits 2010, and the Mawddach estuary in 2013. He learnt about all of these stretches of water initially from his sea kayak. During this time he co-authored The Wild Swimming Code with Dan Graham for Natural Resources Wales.
The Dyfi estuary, 2012
Tide Times
Actual high tide can vary depending on whereabouts on the estuary you are. Pressure systems and heavy rainfall can also have an impact locally.
SwimTrek, Isle of Jura, Scotland 2009
Returning from a circumnavigation of Clare Island, Co. Mayo April, 2014
