Anglesey boat tour: Menai Bridge from below

Navigate swirling whirlpools beneath the Menai Bridge and spot hidden shipwrecks

A guided RIB boat tour departing from Beaumaris Pier that cruises the Menai Strait to view the Menai Bridge from below, Plas Newydd, and Bangor Pier, with a qualified skipper navigating strong currents and historic sites. The tour runs about an hour. Life jackets are provided. Children from age 4 are welcome. It is not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries or certain cardiovascular conditions.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat trip along Menai Strait

• Depart from Beaumaris Pier
• Cruise along Menai Strait
• Pass Beaumaris coastline
• View Plas Newydd house and gardens
• See Lord Nelson Memorial Statue
• Pass under Menai Bridge
• Navigate The Swellies currents
• Return to Beaumaris Pier

The experience

The Menai Bridge, finished in 1826, was a marvel of civil engineering, but you only grasp its scale from the water. A qualified skipper pilots the high-powered RIB from Beaumaris Pier up the Menai Strait, steering close enough that you see the bridge's enormity and imagine the tall ships that once navigated its treacherous arches. The boat also passes Plas Newydd, a National Trust house and gardens that sit on the strait's banks. From land, most visitors never see it at all, but from the water you glide past an entirely different view of the estate.

The route takes you past the Lord Nelson Memorial Statue, built in 1873 as a navigational aid for mariners, and continues toward Port Penrhyn (tides permitting) and Bangor Pier, at 1,500 feet the longest pier in Wales. Along the way, the skipper navigates the Swellies: a stretch of strong currents and whirlpools that have caught out seafarers for centuries. Life jackets are provided, and the tour lasts about an hour.

If you want to add wildlife to your trip, the 9:30am, 11am, or 3:30pm sailings include the Puffin Island route. Other departure times focus on the bridges and strait. The tour departs from Beaumaris Pier, which is accessible by public transportation.

What’s included

• Life jackets.
• qualified skipper guiding the tour in English.
• views of the Menai Bridge from below, Plas Newydd, the Lord Nelson Memorial Statue, and Bangor Pier.

Before you book

Days and timesThursdayDeparts at 14:00

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (4 to 15 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by seawake ltd

Is this one for you?The tour departs from Beaumaris Pier with public transportation nearby, so you don't need a car to reach the boat. A straightforward option if you're staying in Anglesey or nearby without your own vehicle.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 15 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Menai Bridge and why see it from a boat?

The Menai Bridge, completed in 1826, was a triumph of civil engineering that connected Anglesey to the mainland. From the water, you see its full scale and the arches that once challenged sailing ships. From land, most of its grandeur is hidden.

Does the tour include Puffin Island?

Puffin Island is included only on the 9:30am, 11am, and 3:30pm departures. Other sailing times focus on the Menai Bridge, Plas Newydd, and Bangor Pier.

How long is the boat tour?

The tour runs about an hour, cruising from Beaumaris Pier along the Menai Strait and past the major landmarks.

What is Plas Newydd and how does the boat tour show it differently?

Plas Newydd is a National Trust house and gardens on the Menai Strait's banks. Most visitors see it only from land, but the boat glides past it on the water, offering a perspective most people never experience.

Are life jackets provided?

Yes, life jackets are provided for all passengers aboard the RIB.

What are the Swellies?

The Swellies are a section of the Menai Strait with strong currents and whirlpools that have historically caught out seafarers. Your skipper navigates them safely and can point out shipwrecks along the way.