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Colourful houses and harbour of Tenby above turquoise water

The independent Pembrokeshire guide

Pembrokeshire: Boat Trips, Coast Walks and Puffin Islands

Pembrokeshire has boat trips to islands, 186 miles of coast path, sandy bays and castles. This guide covers what to book, when to go and how to get there, with 2026 prices.

  • ★ Hand-picked, top-rated Pembrokeshire tours
  • ⚓ Islands, beaches and coast path explained
  • ↺ Free cancellation on most bookings

Pembrokeshire at a glance

Pembrokeshire is the south-west corner of Wales. Much of its coast sits inside the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, which was designated in 1952 and covers roughly 615 km². The park takes in cliffs, islands, estuaries and part of the Preseli Hills. Most of the land is privately owned, so a national park does not mean free access everywhere.

The classic trip here combines a few things: a boat out to an island, a day on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, a beach, and a castle or two. Seasons matter. Puffins are on Skomer from spring to midsummer, and the Caldey ferry only runs from April to September. This guide to Pembrokeshire, Wales, shows what to book and when. Prices below are 2026 figures in British pounds (£) and can change.

186 milesLength of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, 299 km from St Dogmaels to Amroth
£42 to £46Adult Skomer landing day ticket from 1 April to 31 July 2026, plus a 6% booking fee
About 2 hoursRough drive from Cardiff Airport (CWL) to Tenby; trains from Cardiff take longer
Green headlands and blue sea on Skomer Island in Pembrokeshire

Our picks: coasteering, paddling and a walk in St Davids

The two coasteering sessions are for getting wet on the cliffs near Tenby, and the paddleboard lesson is the gentler way onto the water. The kayak trip suits you if you want to see the Tenby coast from the sea, while the foraging day and the St Davids walk fill a quieter day.

Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator and GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in British pounds (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.

Grassy clifftop and blue sea west of Solva on the Pembrokeshire coast
Foragingfrom £90

Coastal foraging and tasting day

  • 6.5 hours
  • Kilgetty
  • Guided coastal foraging
  • Safety briefing
  • Cooking and tasting

A long guided day gathering food along the shore, ending with preparing and tasting what you found. Ask before booking which season and tides the day is planned around.

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Steep sea cliffs and deep water inlet along the Pembrokeshire coast
Coasteeringfrom £60

Coasteering near Tenby with expert guides

  • 2.5 hours
  • Lydstep, about 10 minutes from Tenby
  • 5.0 (97 reviews)
  • Coasteering wetsuit
  • Buoyancy aid and helmet
  • Free parking at the start

A guided session of about two and a half hours along the cliffs and rock pools, with the safety kit supplied. Ask before booking what the minimum age and the tide conditions are.

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Rocky cliffs and waves on the coast of Caldey Island
Coasteeringfrom £60

Family coasteering near Tenby

  • 2.5 hours
  • Lydstep Headland car park
  • 4.9 (19 reviews)
  • Wetsuit and helmet
  • Buoyancy aid
  • Guide

A guided session of about two and a half hours on the rocks and in the sea. Bring old trainers yourself, and if the weather does not suit this spot you are told another meeting point.

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Boat wake on the sea off Tenby with the coast in the distance
Kayakfrom £60

Guided sea kayaking along the Tenby coast

  • 3 hours
  • Castle Hill, Tenby
  • 4.9 (55 reviews)
  • Guide
  • Kayak and safety kit
  • Coastline exploration

Three hours on the water with a guide, exploring the coastline below the town. Ask before booking what experience is expected and what happens if the sea is too rough.

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Tenby South Beach with terraced houses on Castle Hill in sunshine
Paddleboardfrom £45

Paddleboarding at Tenby North Beach

  • 2 hours
  • Tenby North Beach
  • 4.9 (21 reviews)
  • Board and paddle
  • Wetsuit and buoyancy aid
  • Instruction

A two-hour lesson and paddle from the beach with instruction. Bring swimwear and a towel yourself.

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Bishop's Palace at St Davids seen across green grass in Wales
Guided walkfrom £12

Comedy walking tour of St Davids

  • 90 minutes
  • Courtyard outside the visitor centre, St Davids
  • 4.7 (96 reviews)
  • Guided walk through St Davids
  • Costumed comic guide

A 90-minute walk through Britain's smallest city, told as a comic show by guides in costume. It is light entertainment rather than a history lesson.

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Pembrokeshire boat trips, tours and activities

Island boat trips, wildlife cruises, coasteering and day tours, with current prices and availability.

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A few things to know before you go

Short facts that save a wasted trip.

Skomer has a season

Landings run from 1 April to 30 September 2026, but not on every day, so check your date before you book. Puffins arrive in mid April, are regular from May to July and mostly leave by the end of July. There are 87 steep steps up from the landing. Skomer Island guide →

Caldey is a summer trip

The island opens from 4 April to 30 September 2026, Monday to Saturday. Sundays open only from 28 June to 30 August. Tickets are sold on the day of travel at the harbour and boats can be cancelled by weather. Tenby guide →

Entry to the UK

Visitors from Germany and the USA normally need an Electronic Travel Authorisation instead of a visa. It costs £20 since 8 April 2026. An ETA is not a guarantee of entry.

Coastal buses are seasonal

The Puffin Shuttle and Strumble Shuttle run daily from 23 May to 27 September 2026. In winter only a few services remain. Coast Path and buses →

Pembrokeshire: common questions

What is the best time to visit Pembrokeshire?

It depends on the plan. For puffins on Skomer, go between May and July. July has the warmest average high, about 19°C, May has the least rain, and November has the most. There is no single best month. See the weather page for monthly averages.

How do I get to Pembrokeshire without a car?

Trains run from Cardiff Central to Tenby and Haverfordwest. Transport for Wales gives about 2.5 hours to Haverfordwest. Cardiff Airport is the nearest airport for most visitors. Details are on the getting there page.

Do I need to book Skomer in advance?

Yes. Book the landing ticket online and arrive at Lockley Lodge one hour before departure. Tickets cannot be refunded unless the operator cancels. Read the Skomer guide before you pick a date.

Is there one ticket for all of Pembrokeshire?

No. Castles, island landings, car parks and buses are all charged separately. The castles page lists 2026 entry prices.

Are puffins guaranteed on a boat trip?

No. Puffins are seasonal and wildlife cannot be promised on any trip. Weather and sea conditions decide what you see on the day.

Is discoverpembrokeshire.org the official site?

No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not run by the national park authority, the county council, Visit Wales, a tour operator or any attraction.

Pembrokeshire boat trips and tours

Island boat trips, coasteering and coastal tours compared, most with free cancellation.

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