Between Fishguard and Pwllheli the coastline of Cardigan Bay forms a lee shore for the westerly winds that are prevalent in the UK. Harbours in this stretch, especially where protected by a bar and highly tidal, are dangerous to approach in strong onshore conditions.  Aberystwyth Harbour falls into this category, and is dangerous to enter in an onshore blow, and even on calmer days a heavy ground swell can make tidal timing extremely important.

Nevertheless Aberystwyth is a very useful stopping point along this coast, as vessels can remain afloat at all states of the tide in the fairly recently built Marina. Furthermore it is the principal town of the area, and a popular holiday resort to boot, with good transport connections. ... read more

The yachtsman or motorboater making his first approach to Aberystwyth Harbour, would be best sticking to within two hours either side of high water, and not to make any approach at all in strong onshore conditions. The Harbour can be found and identified by Pendinas, a conspicuous hill 120m high, with Wellington monument at crest.  Full pilotage directions are now given:

In the approach to Aberystwyth from the North attention should be paid to the Sarn Cynfelyn and Cynfelyn shallow patches. These have minimum depth of 1.5 m over them, and are marked clear of their their western extremity by a westerly Cardinal buoy The Patches (Q(9)15s). In any kind of unsettled weather these should be given a good offing. ... read more

The only visitors berths at Aberystwyth are within the dredged Marina,  where the boat will remain afloat.  Full details are now provided:

The Marina is supposed to be dredged to 2.3 m, and there are some interesting photos in the gallery showing dredging operations at a particularly low tide. It is obvious that the silt in this harbour comes down the River and settles in the Marina. ... read more