Pembrokeshire Boat Trips
Will you go to Ramsey, Skomer Island or enjoy a jet boat adventure?
West Wales is a haven for wildlife as the entire coastline is teeming with seabirds, water creatures, farming livestock and a wealth of plant life. To see some of the best sightings nature has to offer in the area, make sure to book a Pembrokeshire boat trip during your stay.
Across the county, you’ll find various boat trip offerings including Cardigan Island boat trips by A Bay to Remember in the northernmost region of Pembrokeshire where dolphin sightings are most frequent and even further north, New Quay Boat Trips. Many wildlife enthusiasts make the effort to pay a visit to Skomer Island, an RSPB nature reserve best known for being the third-largest colony of breeding puffins in the world. You can safaris around the island (you'll read about one below) or book to land on the island. The best time of year is generally May-July for peak puffin-sightings.
You can also take boat trips out of Tenby and Saundersfoot Harbours to sightsee the southern coastline of Pembrokeshire; the most popular in this area are the day trips to Caldey Island which is located just off the coast of Tenby. These trips are booked on-the-day only and allow you to roam the small island which is managed by the resident monastery. North Pembrokeshire Tours operate cruises out of Fishguard Harbour around the coast of Strumble Head too.
Book Wildlife Boat Trips through our Concierge Team
Did you know, you can book a range of Pembrokeshire boat trips directly through our Concierge team when you book a cottage holiday in Wales with Coastal Cottages of Pembrokeshire?
It’s true. For a few years now, we’ve been working together with a couple of long-standing local boat trip companies to bring you some of the very best wildlife experiences around. All of the following trips depart from St Justinians on the outskirts of St Davids and can be booked via a quick phone call to our team. Let us know your booking number and how many people are in your party, whether you have a preference on date/time and which of the trips you'd like to book - we'll do the rest from there.
Land on Ramsey Island Boat Trip
The Land on Ramsey Island experience is by far one of the most popular activities we offer, and it’s no wonder why. Setting sail from the mainland at 10:00 and 12:00, you'll return on the 16:00 voyage giving you four or six hours to spend exploring this beautiful isle.
Once you arrive at this designated SSSI region, you’ll be greeted by the resident RSPB warden who will give you a quick insight into the nature you’ll find around the isle and supply you with handy maps outlining the beaches, summits and circular walks you can explore.
Expect to see plenty of flora and fauna, wild ponies, Welsh mountain sheep, and birds including peregrines, ravens and guillemots. Ramsey Island is also a Special Protected Area for the endangered species of chough so you may even sight one or two of these blackbirds with their noticeable red beaks and feet.
Walkers on Ramsey Island
Seabird and Dolphin Experience
As the title suggests, this one is the one to pick if you’re desperate to see some seabirds and dolphins out at sea. Of course, we can’t guarantee you’ll spot these majestic sea creatures but we can promise you’ll have a fantastic time regardless.
The Seabird and Dolphin Experience travels from St Justinians out towards Grassholm, one of the smaller islands off the coast of Pembrokeshire. One of the RSPB’s oldest nature reserves, Grassholm is home to around 10% of the entire world’s population of gannets so the land is often mistaken for being white in colour here, whereas in reality, it is the mass of white gannets here which create the illusion.
Along your journey across the seas, you may also spot dolphins and porpoise as these aquatic mammals share food sources with gannets. Seals and puffins are occasional sightings on this trip.
Thousand Islands Adventure Boat Trip
The classic family favourite. This 90-minute cruise departs up to four times a day during high season and is a particular favourite amongst those whose holiday itinerary is too jam-packed to fit in a full-day visit with the Land on Ramsey trip. Plus, it’s one of the dogfriendly choices; up to 2 well-behaved dogs are welcomed aboard each sailing.
Here you’ll explore the impressive Ramsey Sound and the infamous “Bitches” rocks which have been known to be the demise of many a travelling ship of previous centuries. Nature lovers will want to bring along a camera or binoculars as you’re likely to see many a seabird as this area is acknowledged as an oasis for nesting seabirds and breeding wildlife. Think kittiwakes and razorbills to name but a few.
Book this trip alongside the Land on Ramsey Island above for the full Ramsey Island Experience. Depart to land on the island at 10:00 or 12:00 then return at 16:00, just in time to board the 16:30 Thousand Islands Adventure trip.
A razorbill
Ramsey Island Special (RHIB)
Certainly not one for light-hearted, the one-hour RHIB boat adventure is just that – an exhilarating adventure through the seas aboard a jet boat. That said, there is so much more to this trip than you might first expect.
You'll race across the seas in a thrilling ride (note, wet weather gear is highly recommended for this trip!) before reaching Ramsey Island. The nature of the RHIB boat allows you to get somewhat closer than a traditional vessel would, meaning a closer look at the remarkable cliffsides and the intricate coves which make up the island’s coastline. Get a better understanding of the island as a whole as you discover the wonders of this land from a whole new perspective.
A great one for the whole family, including the dog!
Evening Shearwater Cruise
The Evening and Shearwater Cruise consists of an early evening venture around Ramsey Island and the North Bishops area for sightings of these two superb seabirds. Departing at 18:00, this 90-minute trip is a delightful way to spend the evening.
The bays and coves along this area and around Ramsey Island are known to be home to Atlantic grey seals too. Visit in late August or September and you’ll see fluffy white pups sprinkling the shores as their parents wade out into the waters in search of food for their young.
Shearwater
Skomer Island Puffin Trip
The Skomer Island Puffin Trip is a brilliant 2-hour boat trip that takes you from the St Davids peninsula, across St Brides Bay towards Skomer Island. This beloved nature reserve lies to the south of this wide western bay and houses the largest breeding colony of puffins in Britain.
Step aboard the jet boat in the early afternoon for a bracing excursion across the seas for sightings of a whole host of wildlife before you even reach Skomer. Expect to see diving gannets and shearwaters along with porpoise, dolphins and seals.
Puffins
Sea Fishing Boat Trips
If you or someone in your life is keen to give angling a go, these Sea Fishing Boat Trips are just perfect. All equipment and tuition is provided, so you needn’t know a thing about fishing before you board the Blue Shark boat in St Justinians.
Choose from a 1.5 or 3-hour trip offshore fishing for mackerel and pollack. Longer trips for the passionate angler are available upon enquiry.
Bespoke Boat Trips
Now, these bespoke boat trips are for those of you looking for something a little more special and a little more out-of-the-ordinary. Make your holiday extra memorable with one of these unique experiences or book one to celebrate a special occasion.
Bespoke in nature, these boat trips are designed to be personalised for you and your wishes. We have a selection of talented professionals on hand if you would like some tuition or advice including artists, photographers, authors and writers. All you need to do is bring along your camera, sketchpad or notebook depending on which option you choose and you can enjoy a wealth of knowledge passed on from our experts.
You can even arrange a Supper at Sea foodie experience, ideal for anyone looking to tuck into a picnic on the water or ask us to arrange some romantic extras if you’re intending on popping the big question to your sweetheart.
The minimum charter is 1.5 hours and you can choose a simple charter to take in the breathtaking scenery of the area if you don’t want any added extras as mentioned above. The boat can welcome up to 10 passengers (including the artist/photographer etc.) and is even dog friendly, so you can plan a whole family outing that you’ll never forget.
