How Pembrokeshire tours work
Most Pembrokeshire tours happen on or beside the water. Boats take you to the islands, along the cliffs to look for seals and seabirds, or to a rocky shore for coasteering. Almost all of them depend on the tide and the wind, so a trip can be called off on the day. Plan one flexible day around a boat trip rather than a fixed slot in a tight schedule.
There is no single Pembrokeshire ticket. Each island landing, castle, car park and bus has its own price. The table below puts the main boat and island options side by side with the dates and prices that apply in 2026.
Our picks: water sports and guided days in Pembrokeshire
Pick the coasteering sessions for cliffs and swimming, and the kayak trip or the Stackpole paddleboard lesson for calmer water. The surf lesson at Freshwater West suits you if you would rather ride waves, and the foraging day is the choice for a day on land.
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.
Coastal foraging and tasting day
- 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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Guided sea kayaking along the Tenby coast
- Sit-on-top kayak
- Helmet and buoyancy aid
- Wetsuit or jacket
A three-hour paddle along the Tenby coastline in a sit-on-top kayak with a guide. Ask before booking what experience is expected and what happens if the sea is too rough.
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Coasteering near Tenby with expert guides
- 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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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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Surf lesson at Freshwater West
- Qualified instructors
- Wetsuit
- Surfboard
A two-hour lesson with qualified instructors and lifeguards on one of the best-known surf beaches in the county. Bring swimwear and a towel yourself.
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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 tours and day trips
Boat trips, island visits, coasteering and guided days on the Pembrokeshire coast, with live prices and availability.
Island and boat tours compared
Adult prices in pounds for the 2026 season. Ask for the current price when you book.
| Trip | Season | Adult price | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skomer Island boat and landing | 1 April to 30 September 2026 | £42 (1 to 15 April), £46 (16 April to 31 July), £32 (August and September) | About 4.5 hours on the island, 6 percent booking fee on top, not every day, so check your date |
| Caldey Island from Tenby | 4 April to 30 September 2026 | £24.95 (ages 16 to 64) | About 20 minutes by boat, tickets sold on the day only, season ends 30 September and reopens at Easter 2027 |
| Ramsey Island | Booked ahead only | – | Nature reserve run by the RSPB, landing needs a reservation |
| Grassholm gannet colony | Boat trip round the island | – | No landing for the public, boats circle the island |
| Coasteering | Depends on the provider | – | Age, swimming and kit rules differ by provider |
For most visitors a good first choice is the Skomer trip between mid April and July for puffins, with Caldey from Tenby as the easier second day. Both need calm weather, so book the one you care about for the start of your stay.
The tour types in detail
What each one involves.
Skomer Island
The boat and the landing come as one ticket, with 15 minutes each way. You land by 87 steep steps, dogs are not allowed, and children aged 2 to 11 pay £30 until 31 July and £24 in August and September. A toddler on a lap travels free but still needs a ticket. Puffins arrive in mid April, are around in numbers from May to July and are mostly gone by the end of July. There is no promise of a sighting.
Skomer Island guide →Caldey Island
Boats leave Tenby Harbour and take about 20 minutes. Tickets are sold on the day only, at the blue booth on Castle Square, for cash or card. Sunday landings run only from 28 June to 30 August 2026. A Cistercian community lives on the island, but a visit does not include a tour of the monastery. Children aged 4 to 15 pay £12.95 and a family of two adults and two children pays £64.95.
Tenby guide →Boat trips along the coast
Sightseeing boats look for seals, seabirds and the cliffs from the water. Grassholm is a gannet colony that visitors can see from a boat but cannot land on. Keep to the wildlife rules on the water: at least 20 m from a seal, 50 m is better, and no more than 5 knots near dolphins and porpoises.
Pembrokeshire boat trips →Coasteering
Coasteering means moving along the shore by climbing, scrambling and swimming. The modern activity took shape here, with St Davids named as the starting point in 1986. Paid activities for under 18s generally need an adventure activities licence, so ask what the licence covers. Rules on age, swimming ability and weather depend on the provider and the spot.
Coasteering guide →Walking days with a bus
The summer coastal buses let you walk one stretch of the coast path and ride back. The Puffin Shuttle 400 runs daily from 23 May to 27 September 2026 between St Davids and Martin's Haven.
Coast path guide →What to check before you book
The small print differs more than the prices do.
Date and season
Skomer runs from 1 April to 30 September, Caldey from 4 April to 30 September. Outside those dates there is no regular landing.
Cancellations
A Skomer ticket is refunded if the operator cancels the crossing. Otherwise it is not refundable. Check the terms of any other trip before you pay.
Parking and the start point
Skomer boats leave from Martin's Haven. The car park there costs £4 for up to 3 hours or £8 for the day, and is free for National Trust members. Check in at Lockley Lodge one hour before departure.
Kit and fitness
Wear shoes with grip and bring layers and water. Ramsey Island is not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs, and Skomer has 87 steep steps at the landing.
Plan the rest of your trip
Where the tours fit.
Pembrokeshire tours: frequently asked questions
What is the best tour in Pembrokeshire?
That depends on the month. For puffins, take the Skomer boat between mid April and July. For a short, easy island day, take the boat from Tenby to Caldey between April and September. Coasteering suits active visitors in warm months.
How much does a Skomer trip cost?
In 2026 an adult ticket costs £42 from 1 to 15 April, £46 from 16 April to 31 July and £32 in August and September. Children aged 2 to 11 pay £30 or £24. A 6 percent booking fee is added.
Do I need to book in advance?
For Skomer, book online ahead. Caldey tickets are sold on the day only. Ramsey Island needs a reservation. Check availability for your date before you plan around any trip.
Are boat trips cancelled in bad weather?
Yes. Crossings to Caldey and Skomer depend on the weather and can be called off on the day. Keep a spare day in your plan.
Can I land on Grassholm?
No. The island is a protected gannet colony without public landings. Boat trips go round it.