Carmarthen Bay is a broad coastal inlet on the south Wales coast, characterized by expansive golden sand beaches like Pendine Sands and the estuarine environments of several rivers. The bay's coastline offers multiple access points for paddlers. A concrete slipway is available at Burry Port Harbour, located at the mouth of the Loughor Estuary where it opens into the bay. This slipway is managed by Burry Port Marina Ltd, and its tidal gate operates for approximately two and a half hours either side of high water on spring tides. The Gwendraeth Estuary at Kidwelly provides another launch area near Carmarthen Bay Holiday Park. The bay is also accessed from Pendine Sands, a long sandy beach, where commercial sea kayaking expeditions begin to explore the local coastline, including coves like Morfa Bychan Bay, caves, and headland points. A significant feature for paddlers is the Tywi estuary, which forms a prominent part of the bay's eastern section. Here, a regular amphibious ferry service operated by Carmarthen Bay Ferries crosses between Ferryside and Llansteffan, running up to 6 hours a day and making trips approximately every 15 minutes. This vessel represents a notable boat traffic consideration for paddlers navigating this narrow part of the estuary. The ferry only operates when there is sufficient water, indicating a wide tidal range in the area. Paddlers should be aware of sandbanks near estuary mouths, such as at Burry Port, which are noted to churn the water. The bay's aesthetic combines long, open sandy beaches with the quieter, saltmarsh and mudflat environments of its estuaries. The overall paddling experience ranges from exposed coastal exploration along cliff and cave features to more sheltered estuary paddling.