Conwy: High water is 30 minutes before high water at Liverpool
Conwy at Dolgarrog: High water is 30 minutes after high water at Liverpool
Dee estuary: High water is 12 minutes before high water at Liverpool
Conwy Estuary: The south going stream begins at 5 hours before high water at Liverpool. The north going stream begins at at high water at Liverpool. The flow reaches a speed of 4 knots at springs. Flows can reach 6 knots in Conway Harbour and beneath the bridges at Conwy.
Off great Orme Head and Little Ormes Head: The east south-east going stream begins at 6 hours before high water at Liverpool. The west north-west going stream begins at 15 minutes after high water at Liverpool. The flow reaches a speed of 2 knots at springs. Tidal streams are negligible within Llandudno bay. Tidal streams can be paddled against at all points, especially if the paddler takes advantage of inshore eddies. The inshore eddies flow fast enough to kick up waves when they oppose the wind direction.
Between Great Orme and Point of Ayr: Offshore: The east going stream begins at 6 hours after high water at Liverpool. The west going stream begins at 15 minutes before high water at Liverpool. The flow reaches a speed of 3 knots at springs. Tidal stream in Colwyn Bay are negligible.
Channel off Point of Ayr: The In-going stream begins 5 hours and 45 minutes before high water Liverpool, at which time it runs between north-east and east. By 2 hours and 55 minutes before high water Liverpool it is running east. At half an hour before high water, the stream swings to run north, before beginning the main out-going flow direction between west-north-west and north-west by high water Liverpool. The spring rate for the easterly flow is 2.5 knots. The spring rate for the out-going flows is 2 knots.
Dee estuary entrance: The south-east going stream begins at 6 hours before high water at Liverpool. The north-west going stream begins at at high water at Liverpool. The flow reaches a speed of 2 knots at springs. The average spring rate is likely closer to 1.5 knots, reaching 3 knots near Hilbre Island and Point of Ayr.
North of Hilbre Island: Overfalls develop here in wind against tide conditions.
Dee at Holywell Bank: The south-east going stream begins at 5 hours before high water at Liverpool. The north-west going stream begins at at high water at Liverpool.
Dee at Connah's Quay: The east south-east going stream begins at 1 hours and 10 minutes before high water at Liverpool. The west north-west going stream begins at 50 minutes after high water at Liverpool. A bore forms on spring tides around a mile below Connah's Quay, with a height of 0.5m. Flows up to 8 knots may be experienced immediately after the bore.
Dee at Chester: The east south-east going stream begins at at high water at Liverpool. The west north-west going stream begins at 1 hours and 45 minutes after high water at Liverpool.
Beacons car park, Conwy Estuary: (SH 774 791) g Large car park north of the marina. Easy access to the sea over the beach of sand and shingle. Height barrier at the car park, but it should be easy to find a place to leave the car to drop boats.
Dolgarrog Bridge, Conwy: (SH 780 669) g There is no vehicular access to the bridge. However, it may be possible to leave a car near the level crossing 300m to the east, or on the roadside 800m west.
Llandudno west shore: (SH 769 822) g Beach, with lots of roadside parking. At low water, the tide goes far out and there will be a long walk to the water. It is best to launch or land here above half tide. The best launch point seems to be just to the west of the breakwater.
Llandudno East shore: (SH 782 825) g Access via the beach and lifeboat slipway. Pay and display parking along the promenade and nearby, often very busy. This location will hence mostly be of interest only to those walking the shuttle from the west side of Llandudno. A small side road opposite the slipway provides a place to load boats quickly.
Llandudno lifeboat station: (SH 802 822) g Parking may be quieter (and cheaper / free) to the east of Llandudno by the school fields. Shingle beach.
Rhos on Sea: (SH 843 808) g Beach and shallow harbour, accessed by steps. Limited roadside parking near Rhos Point at the north end of the harbour and on the promenade further south. Public car park 200 m west from Rhos Point along Abbey Road.
West Kirby Sailing Club slipway: (SJ 215 859) g Best with at least a 9m tide at Liverpool. Possible to launch from 2 hours 20 minutes before high water at Liverpool. Parking on the promenade, or, failing that, in nearby streets.
Great Orme: With less interesting coastline to the east and the draw of Anglesey to the west, the Ormes are often overlooked. However, it's well worth taking the time to paddle here - the limestone cliffs providing stunning scenery unlike anything else in North Wales. With the shelter of the mountains, this area can often be a good option when southerly winds limit options on Anglesey - and many paddlers will find themselves an hour or so closer to home when they get off the water. The Great Orme can be paddled from one side of Llandudno to the other, leaving only a short walk back to the car. Parking is far easier on the west side. If at all possible, time your departure or arrival on the west side to be in the top half of the tide to avoid a long walk. Eddies around the north side of the Great Orme provide some flexibility in tidal planning, with some eddy flows strong enough to kick up race waves. The trip might be extended by launching from Conwy, or by taking in the Little Orme and landing at Rhos on Sea.
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