Sea kayaking among islands, lagoons, arches and white sands of Loch Rog.

We now worked our way down the east coast of Pabaigh Mor. This magnificent arch is actually a collapsed cave. (Photo JLW).


The further south we paddled, the calmer the waters of Loch Rog became.


From the south of Pabaigh Mor we then went SE towards Eilean Bhacasaigh (Vacsay). The great arc of white sand, which forms Traigh na Beiregh, rimmed the southern horizon. Beyond, the green and grey hills of Lewis rolled away into the distance.


Inside the lagoon of Vacsay we drifted on still, clear waters with fish gently cruising beneath our keels.


Rounding the north end of Vacsay we entered a hidden tunnel at the back of an inlet.


We emerged into another lagoon but time was now running out on our trip on the Cuma.


The islands of Loch Rog provide a wonderful sea kayaking playground with either shelter or exposure, depending on your wishes.

05/06/2008

Playing the reef of Bogha Dubh.

At the NE corner of Pabaigh Mor the reef of Bogha Dubh was being exposed by the ebb tide.


The incoming swell from the Atlantic was feeling the bottom for the first time and steepening in the outgoing tide from Loch Rog.


What a great place to play in the sun!


05/06/2008

Tony's cave, Pabaigh Mor!

After lunch with LOMO MAN, we continued our exploration of Pabaigh Mor. Round a corner, Tony shouted "Come and see what I have found, it's a tiny little cave!" Clark hung back.


Then BOOOMPH!.... Tony bought a LOMO dry suit shortly afterwards!

Above photos by JLW.


After much entertainment we left Tony's cave and made our way out to the exposed north coast of Pabaigh Mor and its reef of Bogha Dubh....

05/06/2008

A break in heavy weather!

As we approached the mouth of the Caolas Pabaigh we came across a number of rocky skerries.


The Atlantic swell poured over these in a most entertaining way.


We then proceeded round the west end of Pabaigh Mor, where the chart is reassuringly annotated "breaks in heavy weather". Pessimists think this sounds like an update of "here be dragons"!


Fortunately, we at seakayakphoto.com are eternal optimists and found the perfect spot...


...for a break in heavy weather!

05/06/2008

Sea kayaking the caves of Caolas Pabaigh (Kyles of Pabbay).

After lunch on the Cuma we launched in the shelter of Caolas Pabaigh a narrow body of water which separates Lewis from the island of Pabaigh Mor.


Both sides of the Caolas are riddled with caves such as this one on the Lewis side.


This monster is on the Pabaigh Mor side has amazing multicoloured rocks.


The booming at the back of the cave was deafening. Just as Tony and I were exiting, a rogue swell came in and I was surfed into the back of the cave again. I found this quite exciting as I tried to do a one handed stern rudder while holding my Canon 5D in the other hand.

05/06/2008