Wildlife Holidays in Pembrokeshire
Discover some of the best spots for wildife in the area
It seems more important than ever to take some time to appreciate the natural world that surrounds us. In some places, it’s easier to do that than in others and Pembrokeshire certainly makes it easy. If you want to get closer to nature, come stay with it all on your doorstep.
Pembrokeshire is wild. Not Ibiza wild, the natural kind of wild. This is a place where vast sea bird colonies cling to the cliffs and sea battered islands of the wild west coast of Wales. Seals and porpoises can be seen playing in harbours and quiet coves. This is a place where in summer and spring, wildflowers of all colours, shapes and sizes seem to burst out of every hedgerow and along the Coast Path.
The wildlife of Pembrokeshire is as much a part of its experience as the landscape and the people, to not seek it out is to not experience what Pembrokeshire is.
Get up early and head to Martins Haven in the summer months to catch the boat over to Skomer Island and you’re in for a treat indeed. Home to a colony of adorable puffins that are happy to busy themselves right beside you whilst rearing their chicks, the official (and adorable) name of which are pufflings. You can now pre-book your sailings to Skomer meaning no more first-come-first served queues. Now you can book as soon as you’ve booked your accommodation!
A Skomer Island Puffin
Alternatively, you may want to head to Ramsey Island off the coast of the St Davids peninsula to see the inquisitive seals that call this ancient island home. This RSPB reserve is a special protection area for endangered choughs too, as well as peregrines, guillemots and wild ponies. Call our Concierge Team on 01437 772758 to book a self-guided tour of Ramsey, a leisurely cruise around the island or a jet boat thrill ride through the seas and around the coves of this wildlife haven.
Trips to the offshore islands are always particularly popular and highly recommended, and it’s no wonder why with the wealth of wildlife you’ll find there. But there’s a world of nature waiting to be discovered a little inland too. Paddle a kayak along the Cleddau estuary, also known as Pembrokeshire’s hidden waterway, for sightings of wading river birds and wildfowl. Stroll the circular walk at Bosherston Lily Ponds where you might spot an otter or pay a visit to Plumstone Mountain (more like a hill) where you’ll find a roost of starling.
It’s time for a wild holiday Pembrokeshire style and each of our cottages has nature right on its doorstep, so what are you waiting for?
Wally the Walrus: An Unexpected Guest
Being a coastal region, it is not unknown for Pembrokeshire to have some unexpected visitors from time to time. Birdwatchers are always keeping an eye out for rare sightings alongside the well-known residents. This March, Pembrokeshire was taken by storm when a surprise character appeared from the Welsh waters and holidayed in the south of the county for a little while.
We are, of course, referring to 2021's most famous celebrity now known as Wally the Walrus. More suited to the cooler climates of the Arctic Ocean and the North Pole, where approximately 20,000 reside, these substantially-sized mammals are very rarely sighted in this corner of the world.
As expected, Tenby captured Wally’s heart and he extended his Wales holiday for a few days! He even let out his mischievous side by attempting to board a fishing boat and a dinghy, the latter of which unfortunately capsized under his weight!
Wally has since toured the waters of Scilly and beyond. Most recently he has been spotted off the coast of Ireland, hopefully on his way home. We do wish him well on his journey and hope he knows he’s always welcome in Pembrokeshire.
Wally pictured at Tenby Lifeboat Station
Make sure to always maintain a safe distance so as not to disturb wildlife in its natural habitat.
