Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Water Activities

Offering a huge variety of exciting aquatic activities set against the beautiful backdrop of the Welsh coastline, a visit to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is a great choice if you’re a watersports enthusiast looking for some action. Whether you’d like to kayak beneath rugged cliffs, paddle along a tranquil river estuary, learn to surf or try a spot of coasteering, our guide to water activities in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park has all the information you need to help you plan your holiday. 

Kayaking and canoeing

The spectacular coastline of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is peppered with dramatic cliffs, caves, secluded beaches and serene tidal estuaries, much of which you can explore by kayak or canoe. If you’re lucky you’ll also be able to spot some local marine life, including sea birds, seals and porpoises. Here are a couple of our favourite places to go kayaking on the Pembrokeshire coast.

Stackpole Quay to Barafundle Bay

Managed by the National Trust, the Stackpole Estate covers 2,000 acres of woodland and lakes, as well as eight miles of coastline renowned for its sandy beaches, dramatic limestone cliffs, sand dunes and hidden coves.

Activity Pembrokeshire’s expert instructors run sea kayak safaris from the small, sheltered harbour at Stackpole Quay, including an orientation session and a paddle along the coast to the beautiful Barafundle Bay, with lots of fascinating local information thrown in. All equipment is provided, and younger children (aged 8 and over) can share a tandem kayak with their parents. Pre-booking is advised, but not essential. 

If you already have some experience and want to explore under your own steam, Outer Reef Surf School also has a base here, and rents both single and double kayaks by the hour.

St Brides Bay

Stretching from St Davids in the north to St Brides in the south, St Brides Bay is lined with cliffs, inlets, coastal rock formations and several good beaches for kayaking, offering a variety of conditions and beautiful coastal views. 

Solva (with cliffs, caves and a sheltered natural harbour), Broad Haven and the cove at Little Haven are all good bets for beginners and families who are learning to paddle, while Newgale’s long sandy beach is a little more exposed.

Local providers all along the coast offer rental facilities, lessons and guided tours. 

• TYF Adventure in St Davids runs introductory courses including Discovery Kayaking courses for beginners and Explorer sessions for the more experienced, as well as renting out single and double kayaks.
• Newsurf Sport Centre at Newgale’s Blue Flag beach offers kayak rental, lessons and tours.
• Haven Sports at Broad Haven rents kayaks by the hour.

Local tip: There are, of course, many other places along the coast where you can rent a kayak or learn to paddle. Visit Pembrokeshire’s kayaking page includes a handy list of local companies that offer equipment hire and tuition throughout the park. Always check local weather and tidal conditions before setting out.

River canoeing

Surrounded by lush landscapes and abundant wildlife, Pembrokeshire’s rivers are perfect for a peaceful paddle. Here’s our pick of top spots to visit. 

River Teifi 

Paddling through the woodlands and marshes of the lower Teifi Gorge offers a gentle experience suitable for all ages and abilities, and there are also whitewater stretches on the river for more adventurous paddlers. Trips with experienced local providers include instruction and safety guidance, with the chance to learn about the riverside environment, tackle some gentle rapids and spot otters, red kites and kingfishers in the surrounding nature reserve en route. Canoe Wales’ guide to the most popular stretch of the river has lots of useful information.

• Adventure Beyond runs relaxed half- and full-day trips through the gorge, onto the estuary and down to Cardigan, as well as whitewater kayaking sessions if you’re looking for more of a thrill. 
• Heritage Canoes, based at the Welsh Wildlife Centre, offers two-hour guided trips through the gorge in double canoes from April to September. 

Cleddau Estuary (Daugleddau Estuary)

Often called ‘Pembrokeshire’s hidden waterway’, the Cleddau River flows through dense wooded banks, with access to the water from pontoons and slipways at Pembroke Dock, Burton, Neyland, Lawrenny and Llangwm, among others. A canoe trip is the perfect way to explore its narrow, winding channels, which are only navigable by small water craft, and a paddle here takes in scenic views of the estuary, creeks and tidal marshes, with lots of opportunities to spot local wildlife including otters and wading birds.

Paddle West runs regular canoe tours (approx 3 hours) along the river from Pembroke Dock, which visit sites such as Carew Castle and the pretty villages of Black Tar and Cresswell Quay (exact stops depend on the tides), and all feature lots of information on local history and wildlife. 

Tip: The rivers and estuaries page of the national park’s website has more information about both of these rivers.

Surfing

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s south-west-facing beaches make the most of the prevailing winds and keen surfers will find plenty to keep them amused, particularly in winter and spring. Here are some of our favourite beaches for surfing on the Pembrokeshire coast.

• Newgale Beach – this long, sandy, west-facing beach is known for its consistent waves at all stages of the tide, making it popular with surfers of all levels. Local surf schools, easy board rental and lots of space mean that many beginners make their first foray into the water here. Winter storms can make conditions tougher, but it’s a great place to learn in summer. If you fancy giving surfing here a try, Outer Reef Surf School is a good place to start.

• Whitesands Bay – just north of Newgale but a little more sheltered, Whitesands is another of Pembrokeshire’s best surfing beaches. You can rent boards and equipment here, and its consistent waves make it a favourite of local surf schools. It can get crowded in summer and at weekends, so try visiting in the early morning or on weekdays if you want some space. In winter, more testing conditions make it better suited to more experienced surfers. If you’d like to rent a board or take some lessons here, Ma Simes Surf School is the place to go.

• Freshwater West – the powerful waves at this more isolated and exposed beach near Castlemartin make it one of Wales’ best surfing spots, and it has been a frequent host of the Welsh National Surfing Championships. Strong currents at Freshwater West (often known as FreshWest) mean that it’s no spot for beginners, and limited facilities mean that you’ll need your own gear, but it’s an enduring favourite with intermediate and experienced surfers. 

For more details of Pembrokeshire's best surfing beaches, the SurfAtlas and Visit Pembrokeshire websites both have some great suggestions. 

Coasteering

For the uninitiated, coasteering is an adventurous activity that involves navigating stretches of rocky coastline through a combination of swimming, climbing, scrambling and (lots of) jumping into the sea – and Pembrokeshire was the place where it all began. The right equipment and expert knowledge of the local environment and sea conditions are essential, but If you want a good workout and plenty of thrills, it’s a great way to explore the coast. 

Here are some of the best places to get started.

• Abereiddy and the Blue Lagoon - this former slate quarry and the surrounding coastline at Abereiddy Bay make this one of the most popular coasteering areas in Wales, with dramatic cliffs and renowned jumps of between two and 10 metres into the deep water of the quarry. 
• Stackpole Quay – the National Trust’s beautiful Stackpole Estate is another popular coasteering venue, with the opportunity to explore the cliffs and caves around its small harbour near Barafundle Bay. Expert local guides offer trips suitable for all ages and abilities.

There’s no doubt that coasteering is best experienced with a group and an expert guide, who will also provide all the necessary safety equipment. Visit Pembrokeshire has a handy list of providers who operate throughout the park, and the Pembrokeshire page of the national coasteering website has lots more information.

Paddleboarding

Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) has enjoyed a surge in popularity in recent years, and it’s easy to see why. Whether you want a gentle paddle on the calm waters of an estuary or a more adventurous trip out to sea, it won’t surprise you to hear that Pembrokeshire has a wealth of great locations to try it out, and plenty of companies who will tailor a trip to your requirements. 

Many of the beaches we’ve already covered in this guide offer SUP trips, courses and rental alongside surfing, coasteering and kayaking, but for beginners we’d suggest Tenby North beach and Saundersfoot beach, both of which have calm conditions and great coastal views, as good places to start. Visit Pembrokeshire’s paddleboarding page has a list of experienced local providers who will be happy to help you out.

Snorkelling and diving

Alongside all its sporting activities on the water, Pembrokeshire also has some great places where you can explore beneath the waves, and a snorkelling or diving trip is the perfect introduction to the wonders of the local marine life.

Since all you need is a snorkel and mask, snorkelling is the most accessible of these, and we’d suggest St Brides Bay and Abereiddy as good places to start. 

If you have a PADI certification and you’d like to go a little deeper, with the chance to explore shipwrecks and fascinating marine ecosystems, scuba diving is the way to go. Skomer, Skokholm and Middleholm islands in the Skomer Marine Nature Reserve are the prime diving spots in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. They're well known for their reefs, dramatic underwater topography and wreck dives, as well as the chance to spot seals, porpoises and dolphins. Pembrokeshire Boat Charters organises trips to some of the top spots, while Haven Diving Services focuses on shore dives for experienced divers.

Essential tips for water activities in Pembrokeshire Coast National Park 

Safety

• Make sure you always have the correct equipment for your chosen activity, including suitable wetsuits, life jackets, helmets and buoyancy aids.

• Check weather and water conditions before setting out.

• Always do your activity with a friend or partner, or as part of a group with an experienced guide or instructor.

• Inform someone of your planned route and expected return time.

• Always respect the environment and follow the Countryside Code: leave no trace, respect wildlife, and avoid disturbing marine habitats.

• Take all litter with you and dispose of it properly.

 

Whether you’re a surfer, a kayaker or a diver, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is one of the best places in the UK to enjoy watersports. If you'd like to keep costs down and enjoy some more of the area's spectacular scenery, check out Pitchup’s collection of the best campsites in and around Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.