Coasteering in Pembrokeshire at a glance
Coasteering is a guided activity along the rocky coast. You swim, scramble and climb along the shoreline, with a guide leading the route. Modern coasteering began in St Davids in 1986, which is why Pembrokeshire is called its home. That describes the modern tourist activity, not the first time anyone moved along a cliff coast.
There is no single season, minimum age or route that applies to every provider. These depend on the individual trip, the sea and the group. The sections below show what a provider should tell you before you pay, how the activity is regulated and when another way to see the coast suits you better.
Our picks: coasteering in Pembrokeshire
The family session near Tenby and the Stackpole Quay session both run about two and a half hours. The St Davids session starts at Abereiddy on the northern coast and has only one review so far. Ask each operator about minimum age, swimming ability and tides before you book.
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.
Family coasteering near Tenby
- 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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Coasteering experience near St Davids
- Guide
- Wetsuit and helmet
- Buoyancy aid
A guided session of about two and a half hours from Abereiddy Beach on the coast path north of St Davids. The tour has only one review so far.
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Coasteering at Stackpole Quay
- Wetsuit and helmet
- Buoyancy aid
- Safety equipment
Two and a half hours of guided coasteering from the quay, a short way along the coast from Barafundle Bay. Bring your own trainers; parking is extra.
Check availability →Pembrokeshire coasteering and adventure trips
Guided coasteering, cliff and sea adventures, with live prices and availability.
Coasteering in Pembrokeshire: what to check before you book
Five questions to put to any provider.
Is the trip licensed?
The Health and Safety Executive requires a licence for paid adventure activities offered to under-18s. Exceptions apply when a parent or legal guardian is present, or for certain school and club trips. Whether coasteering counts depends on what it includes: the name alone does not decide it, and an activity that involves climbing in the legal sense is licensable. Ask for the licence and check that it covers coasteering.
What age limit applies?
There is no general minimum age. Each provider sets its own, together with swimming, fitness and equipment requirements. Ask the provider for its limits before you book.
When does it run?
Seasons differ by provider and by site. Ask for the dates and what happens if the sea is too rough on your day.
What is the route?
The guide chooses the route and the points where you enter the water on the day. A good provider explains the plan, the signals and the exit points before you start. The route is not something to copy on your own.
What does the price include?
Check for equipment, guiding, transfers and photos. A licence is not a guarantee of good conditions, wildlife or that the trip runs on your date.
Coasteering, boat trip or coast path?
Three ways to see the same cliffs.
| Option | What you do | Check first |
|---|---|---|
| Coasteering | Swim and scramble along the shore with a guide | Licence, age limit, swimming ability, equipment, weather policy |
| Boat trip | See cliffs, islands and wildlife from the water, staying dry | Ramsey Island needs a booked crossing; Grassholm can be circled but not landed on |
| Coast path walk | Walk the cliff top at your own pace | Tides at Sandy Haven and The Gann, which can be covered for more than 6 hours |
For most visitors who want the sea and not the effort, a boat trip is the easier choice. Choose coasteering only if you are comfortable in the water, and keep the coast path for a dry day. Our boat trips page and the coast path page explain both.
Safety, seals and the sea
Rules that apply on every part of this coast.
Seals
Pups rest on quiet beaches from August to November, and adults can be seen all year. Do not touch, feed or swim with seals, and do not come between a mother and a pup. From the water the code asks for at least 20 m, preferably 50 m.
Currents
Some beaches carry strong rip, under and longshore currents. At Freshwater West swimming is not recommended, and a seasonal lifeguard does not lift that warning.
Emergencies
Call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard. Do not enter the water yourself to rescue someone without help.
Where to go next
Combine a coasteering morning with a visit to St Davids, or look at things to do for rainy-day options.
Coasteering in Pembrokeshire: frequently asked questions
Where did coasteering start?
Modern coasteering began in St Davids in 1986, so Pembrokeshire is often called its home.
Do I need a licence to go coasteering?
You do not need one yourself. The provider needs a licence for paid trips for under-18s, with exceptions such as a parent or guardian coming along. Ask to see the provider's licence.
What is the minimum age for coasteering?
There is no single minimum age. Each provider sets its own limit and its own swimming and fitness requirements.
When is the coasteering season?
It differs by provider, so ask for the dates for your trip. Rough sea and weather can stop a trip on any day.
Can I coasteer without a guide?
This page does not describe routes or jump points. The activity is run by guides who know the sea state and the sites, so book a licensed trip.