Boat trips in Pembrokeshire: the choices
Most boat trips in Pembrokeshire fall into three types. Landing trips take you onto an island, such as Skomer or Ramsey. Wildlife cruises circle an island or follow the cliffs and look for seals, seabirds and sometimes dolphins. The Caldey ferry is a short crossing from Tenby to an island with a monastic community.
Weather decides everything. Boats can be cancelled or changed at short notice, and no trip can promise a sighting. Skomer has its own page, so this page covers the other options. See the Skomer Island guide for puffins and landing tickets.
Our picks: boat trips and paddling on the Pembrokeshire coast
The Ramsey Island trip is the only motor boat here and circles the island without landing, with seals possible but never promised. The kayak trip and the Stackpole paddleboard lesson put you on the water under your own power.
Hand-picked tours, booked through 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.
Guided sea kayaking along the Tenby coast
- 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.
Check availability →
Ramsey Island seal and wildlife boat trip
- Boat trip around Ramsey Island
- Guide on board
- Rocky coast and wildlife
A one-and-a-half-hour boat trip around Ramsey Island with a guide. It circles the island without a landing, and wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.
Check availability →
Paddleboarding at Stackpole Quay
- Board and paddle
- Wetsuit
- Buoyancy aid
Two hours on the water from the small quay on the coast path, in a cove near Barafundle Bay. Parking is not part of the price.
Check availability →Pembrokeshire boat trips and wildlife cruises
Island cruises, seal and seabird trips and coastal boat tours, with current prices and availability.
Ramsey Island
A nature reserve reached by boat.
Ramsey Island is an RSPB reserve. You reach it by boat from the St Justinian area near St Davids, and you must book ahead. The reserve is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. Dogs are not allowed on most of it, apart from assistance dogs.
Landings do not run every day, so check the operator for the date you want. Prices change from year to year.
Skomer or Ramsey?
Skomer is the puffin island. It has its own landing tickets and about 4.5 hours on the island. Ramsey is a reserve reached from the St Davids side. If puffins are the aim, pick Skomer between May and July.
Grassholm and its gannets
You can circle the island, but not land.
Grassholm is a large gannet colony protected by the RSPB. Landing is not allowed, so tourist boats go around the island instead. Do not confuse a circuit with a landing.
Bird numbers have fallen since avian flu hit the colony from 2022, so the colony is smaller than it once was.
Seals and dolphins
Distances and rules for wildlife.
Seals
Seal pups rest on quiet beaches from August to November. Adults can be seen all year. On land, keep away from beaches with pups. Never touch, feed or swim with a seal.
Seal distance from a boat
The national park asks boats to keep at least 20 m away, and preferably 50 m. Do not come between a mother and her pup. Move away slowly if an animal shows signs of disturbance.
Dolphins, porpoises and whales
The marine code asks boats to stay under 5 knots near groups of animals, never to drive through a group and to leave mothers with young alone. From 100 m out, take extra care and keep at least 50 m away unless the animals approach on their own.
Which trip suits you
A comparison by type.
| Trip | Season | Landing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caldey Island ferry | 4 April to 30 September 2026 | Yes | About 20 minutes from Tenby, tickets on the day |
| Skomer landing | 1 April to 30 September 2026 | Yes | Booked ticket, 87 steep steps |
| Ramsey Island | Check the operator | Yes, with booking | Reserve near St Davids |
| Grassholm | Check the operator | No | Gannet colony, boats circle the island |
| Seal and coast cruise | Check the operator | – | Pups on beaches from August to November |
For most visitors, the Caldey ferry in summer is the easiest day out, and Skomer is the pick for puffins between May and July. Our Tenby and coasteering pages cover the other water-based plans.
Boat trips: common questions
Can I see dolphins on a boat trip?
Sometimes, but no trip can promise it. Choose a trip for the coast and the islands, and treat a dolphin as a bonus.
Can I land on Grassholm?
No. Landing is not allowed, and boats only circle the island.
Do I need to book a trip to Ramsey Island?
Yes. Ramsey Island needs a booking in advance, and the reserve is not accessible for wheelchairs or pushchairs.
Does Caldey run in winter?
No. The 2026 season runs from 4 April to 30 September, Monday to Saturday, with Sundays only from 28 June to 30 August. Tickets are sold on the day of travel.
How close can a boat go to seals?
The national park asks for at least 20 m, and preferably 50 m. Boats should not come between a mother and her pup.