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Enjoy the small, sheltered and cosy delights of east facing Traeth Bychan beach near Benllech, down a narrow country lane off the A5025. If you want to really appreciate some fine sea and mountain views covering Llanddona, the Carneddau peaks above Bangor, Puffin Island and Liverpool Bay, you must come here.

Traeth Bychan beach is compact with rocky features on each side and a changing mix of sand and pebbles as you move up the beach towards the dinghy park at the back. Red Wharf Bay Sailing and Watersports Club is situated at the top of the beach on a stone and concrete base, and it is from here that you will see various dinghy classes, small day fishing craft and the odd jet ski being launched.

At the dinghy park on this beach there are Lasers, Toppers, Mirrors, GP14's and other classes. The beach faces the east and so is ideal for launching boats, when the prevailing wind on Anglesey is from the south west. When we arrived here the sun was out and some keen, though tired, sailors were helping guide a vehicle with launch trailer into the water.

Around the back of the beach are some interesting rock formations and above these thick grassy steep slopes and from here emerges the Anglesey Coastal Path route running from Benllech in the south to Moelfre in the north. The coastal path is well signposted and there is a gate on the left as you approach the beach down the hill, next to a small cottage which is built just above the rocks and the high water mark.

Traeth Bychan cafe is about 25 or so metres up from the beach on your left and it sells ice cream, cold and hot drinks and snacks. You will also see the public car park adjacent while on the bank behind the cafe as well as on the opposite side of the lane are static caravans. These are a good spot for those wanting to walk the coast or get to the beach quickly.

During the autumn and winter when boating activity is usually much reduced, this beach is a very peaceful and relaxing spot from which to appreciate the coastline and sea views. There is a piece of maritime history attached to Traeth Bychan beach which may be of interest to some visitors.

The "T" class submarine HMS Thetis was built in Cammell Laird shipyard in 1938. On 1 June 1939 she slipped her mooring in the Mersey with 103 crew aboard and made out for Liverpool Bay to carry out some manoeuvres. While on these trials some unusual extreme event took place which proved catastrophic and all crewmen except four were lost. Some months later, after HMS Thetis was recovered from the sea bed she was beached on the Anglesey coast at Traeth Bychan beach.

Whether you come here on a fine, clear winter's day for a walk across the beach, or in the heat of a summer's day are launching your dinghy for coastal exploration, the memory of Thetis and her lost crew will remain.