Mullion to Loe Bar

Grey sky, moderate swell and spring tides were not encouraging, but this turned into a good day on the water. Jan came along with us with a borrowed P&H Vela and both were good company! We could not land at Loe Bar as there was a line of rock exposed on the low water mark and enough swell to make landing tricky, so we made this a round trip with no stops. Lots of reefs to avoid or enjoy depending on your mood and a couple of coves with good surf if you wanted to test yourself (we didn't).

Spectacular cliffs particularly around the harbour entrance to observe and a lot of damage to the harbour walls from the recent storms. Not much wildlife apart from a solitary seal near Gunwalloe Cove and a small assortment of birds. When we left in Mullion it was in calm water and little wind but on our return journey it was blowing an upper end of a force four and against us but as this was just a short paddle it was not a problem.

There were a few sit-on kayakers paddling around Mullion Island,  like us they also enjoyed the day and it was a simple pleasure to chat to them on our return.

Note: There is a launching fee for this harbour usually paid at the cafe or honesty box.

Wildlife Observed: Fulmar (5+), Curlew (5+), Oystercatcher (1), Kestrel (1), Rock pipit and Grey seal (1)

Look For:
Mullion Harbour storm damage

Mullion Island

Polurrian Cove

Marconi Memorial
Poldhu Cove

Church Cove
St Winwaloe Church

Dollar Cove

Gunwalloe Fishing Cove

Loe Bar

Hazards:
Steep slipway at Mullion
Working harbour with many holiday users
Many rock reefs and ledges
Dangerous to land/launch at Loe Bar and Gunwalloe even in small waves
All beaches and coves pick up surf with even with small swell
Not many get-out points unless sea is smooth
Many rocks and boulders on this coast

Details:
Paddle No: 25
Date: 30/3/2014
Wind: Force 1- 4 ESE
Temperature: 9 degrees
Weather: Cloud
Distance Covered: 6.75 miles
Duration: 3.5 hrs
Access: Easy launch from Mullion Harbour Slip
Sea state: Smooth to Chop - Small to Moderate Swell
Kayaks: Nigel Dennis Romany, P&H Scorpio and P&H Vela

   Mullion to
   Loe Bar

Click map to enlarge