Laura Mackenzie
02 January 2025
Make the most of the UK’s only coastal national park with a memorable boat trip in Pembrokeshire. Discover the magnificent coastline and wonderful wildlife as you cruise along this spectacular part of the UK.
You’ll get to view some of the UK’s best Blue Flag beaches from a unique angle and you’ll also be treated to intriguing caves, incredible islands and the chance to spot amazing creatures like the playful bottle-nosed dolphins of Cardigan Bay!
To help you get your sea legs, we’ve rounded up the top boat trips in Pembrokeshire. From island visits and wildlife-watching trips to sunset cruises and fishing expeditions, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for in wild West Wales.
After all that adventuring, you’ll need a relaxing retreat to unwind in and recharge for the next Pembrokeshire voyage. Our quality collection of Pembrokeshire holiday cottages has everything you need for your next coastal break.
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Pembrokeshire Islands Boat Trips
The Pembrokeshire coastline is dotted with islands, including six main islands you can visit on a boat trip. These islands are ideal for those who want to explore stunning scenery and spot a wealth of wildlife.
Pembrokeshire Islands Boat Trips to Skomer, Skokholm and Grassholm Islands
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Want to land on Skomer Island and see beautiful bluebells and delightful puffins with their cute pufflings? Then take a boat trip with Pembrokeshire Islands Boat Trips! Operating for over 40 years and trusted as the only operator who lands on Skomer Island, you’ll be in safe hands.
It’s not just spectacular Skomer you can visit, you can also explore the magnificent cliffs and coves of Skokholm and Grassholm islands. Skomer, Skokholm and their surroundings are home to an impressive variety of birds, including the largest concentration of Manx shearwaters in the world!
Grassholm Island is home to the only gannet colony in Wales plus one of the biggest colonies in the world, so you can imagine the spectacle of thousands of birds diving around the boat while you approach this unique place.
Good to know:
- Location: Martins Haven, Marloes, Haverfordwest
- Boat trip durations: Skomer is a 15-minute boat ride with 5 hours to explore the island - other cruises are between 1 and 2.5 hours
- Parking: There is a car park at Martin’s Haven which costs £7 a day
- Price: From £20 per adult, £18 per child
- When can you see puffins on Skomer Island? The best time of year to see large numbers of puffins on Skomer Island is from mid-June to mid-July
- Are dogs allowed on Skomer? Dogs are welcome on the island cruises but not on Skomer Island itself, to help protect the unique local wildlife
St Davids boat trips
Sail from Britain’s smallest city and head out to sea around the north of this rugged county to discover an RSPB reserve on an island where you could spot dolphins, Atlantic grey seals, whales, peregrine falcons, jellyfish and more!
Voyages of Discovery
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Step aboard and discover a true Welsh wonder! Ramsey Island RSPB Nature Reserve is a special island with dramatic cliffs that are home to flocks of spectacular birds – all this can be discovered with Voyages of Discovery.
The guided Ramsey Island Voyage is their most popular boat trip and is suitable for all ages and abilities. This is your chance to spot a myriad of migrating and nesting sea birds such as razorbills, guillemots, chough, peregrine falcons, buzzards, and ravens!
Fancy a bit of dolphin-watching in Pembrokeshire? Then try the Offshore Island and Dolphin Voyage and set sail across the open ocean towards Grassholm Island before visiting The Smalls – Wales’ most remote lighthouse. You’ll then head further offshore into the Celtic Deep in search of dolphins and porpoises. There have even been sightings of minke whales, fin whales, and a leatherback turtle over the years.
Good to know:
- Location: St Justinian's (St Davids Old Lifeboat Station)
- Boat trip durations: Between 1 and 2.5 hours
- Parking: Free parking is available at St Justinian's and there is a seasonal overflow field car park which costs £4 per day
- Price: From £36 per adult, £25 under 5s
Falcon Boats
Explore echoing caves and the wonderful wildlife of Ramsey Island on the Sunset Shearwater Voyage with Falcon Boats. Open your eyes to the amazing sight of thousands of marvellous Manx shearwater birds returning to their homes. Pembrokeshire is well known by local artists for its magical light, so just picture yourself on this captivating cruise as the light plays on the water, glistening and inviting you to discover more.
Voyage to the Celtic Deep on the full-day expedition in search of whales, dolphins and even sharks! You’ll never know what may show up on this exciting trip as this deep area of the Celtic Sea is rich in nutrients, making it an ideal hunting ground for a wide variety of marine life and sea birds.
Good to know:
- Location: St Justinian's (St Davids Old Lifeboat Station)
- Boat trip durations: Between 1.5 and 8 hours
- Parking: Free parking is available at St Justinian's and there is a seasonal overflow field car park which costs £4 per day
- Price: From £38 per adult, £25 per child
- Dog-friendly? Dogs are allowed on the shorter boat trips
Thousand Island Expeditions
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Experience Ramsey Island on foot with a guided walk alongside a member of the RSPB team. Thousand Island Expeditions own the sole landing rights to RSPB Ramsey Island Nature Reserve, so not only can you experience this amazing place from the sea, but you can also go onto the island and learn all about its important residents.
Spot fluffy white seal pups in September and October and learn all about Ramsey’s rich history. The guided walk is a full-day event with 4 hours in the morning for discovering and learning before spending the afternoon at your leisure, then sailing back to the mainland. Bringing a packed lunch, plenty of fluid and suitable clothing is advised for this immersive activity.
Good to know:
- Location: St Justinian's (St Davids Old Lifeboat Station)
- Boat trip durations: Between 1.5 and 3 hours
- Parking: Free parking is available and there is a seasonal overflow field car park which costs £4 per day
- Price: From £30 per adult, £17.50 per child
- Are dogs allowed on Ramsey Island? Dogs are welcome on the Ramsey Island Adventure boat trip but are not allowed on Rasmey Island, so to help protect the important wildlife
With so many amazing boat trips sailing from St Davids, refresh after a thrilling day on the waves with a stay in one of our comfortable holiday cottages nearby.
Boat trips from Tenby
From fishing adventures to idyllic island trips that include fine, handmade Welsh chocolate, a boat trip from Tenby won’t disappoint.
Caldey Island boat trip
Discover peace and tranquility on Caldey Island – just a short boat trip from Tenby’s popular Castle Beach. Get your tickets from the hut at Tenby Harbour before heading off for a lovely day out.
Enjoy sandy beaches, perfect picnic spots, captivating coves, and pleasant walks with amazing views. Breathe in the fresh sea air and visit the peaceful St David’s Church, The Old Priory and St Illtyd's Church.
Head to the village shop and try some of the delicious handmade chocolate from the island’s chocolate factory, which is also open to visitors. There’s even a tea garden and an ice cream shop so you can sit and refresh with hot and cold snacks and a beverage.
Good to know:
- Location: Tenby Harbour
- Boat trip duration: 20 minutes
- Parking: Tenby has a few pay and display car parks with the multi-storey and North Beach car parks being the nearest to the harbour
- Price: Adults £18, seniors £16, children £10, family ticket (2 adults, up to 3 children) £48 (children under 4 years travel free)
Tenby Boat Trips
The wildlife-focused Tenby Boat Trips offer a range of boat trips from the leisurely Island Ranger to the more thrilling Rib Trips.
On the Tenby Seal Safari, local guides will talk you through the expedition and share their in-depth knowledge of Caldey Island’s wildlife and surrounding waters as you explore this holy island’s hidden bays.
The Island Ranger is a comfortable and modern experience with three viewing decks to enjoy while you cruise the famous Paul Jones Bay and get your chance to spot seals, puffins, razorbills, cormorants, and gannets.
There’s even a wildlife trip to Lundy Island, 26 miles south of Caldey Island, where you can get the chance to spot puffins, seals, and dolphins.
Good to know:
- Location: Tenby Harbour
- Boat trip durations: Between 1 and 7 hours
- Parking: Tenby has a few pay and display car parks with the multi-storey and North Beach car parks being the nearest to the harbour
- Price: From £18 per adult, £10 per child
Mackerel and Bait Fishing Tenby
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Mackerel and Bait Fishing Tenby offer fun and serious fishing trips – you won’t be disappointed with their friendly service and colourful website. The mackerel fishing trips are great for families and there is plenty of time on this voyage to hook something tasty for dinner.
The sea fishing trips offer a real open water experience, and you never know what you may catch from gurnard, tope, bass, huss, and pollack to bream, wrasse, mackerel and more.
Good to know:
- Location: Tenby Harbour
- Boat trip durations: Between 1.5 and 4 hours
- Parking: Tenby has a few pay and display car parks with the multi-storey and North Beach car parks being the nearest to the harbour
- Price: From £20 per adult and child
Tenby Fishing
Tenby Fishing offers summertime family fishing trips in Pembrokeshire suitable for all ages and abilities. The skipper even shows you how to prepare your catch for a tasty BBQ!
Everything you’ll need for a fun day out fishing is provided, and the catch of your day is likely to include mackerel, pollock, gurnard, bass, scad, or dogfish.
Good to know:
- Location: Tenby Harbour
- Boat trip duration: 1.5 hours
- Parking: Tenby has a few pay and display car parks with the multi-storey and North Beach car parks being the nearest to the harbour
- Price: £20 per adult and child
We have a wide range of cottages in Tenby to unwind in after your Pembrokeshire boat trip adventure. Take a look and book your next refreshing holiday in Tenby by clicking the button below.
Whether you want to learn about the history of Pembrokeshire, go fishing or spot wonderful wildlife, a boat trip from Saundersfoot is always a great day out.
Cariad Y Môr
Launching from seaside Saundersfoot, Cariad Y Môr offer boat trips, fishing experiences, island exploration trips, Celtic Deep boat trips and a unique blue shark snorkel safari!
Accessible for all, The Celtic Explorer has a built-in access ramp for wheelchair-friendly fishing and boat trips in Pembrokeshire.
Fishing trips include the opportunity to catch mackerel, bass, and tope, while the island cruises sail out to Caldey, Skomer, Skokholm, Grassholm and the further-out Lundy Island.
Get euphoric and come face to face with a blue shark on the Big Blue – a snorkel tour out to the Celtic Deeps in search of these incredible sea creatures.
Saundersfoot Sea Safari
Spot the seals, porpoises, sea bird colonies and occasional dolphins off Caldey and St Margarets islands while learning all about the histories of castles, forts, and monasteries with Saundersfoot Sea Safari.
Hop onboard the bright orange, fully licensed, 10-metre rib called Matani, lovingly named after the family’s youngest daughter. Zip around the fantastic local coastline and enjoy the magnificent sights that surround you on this thrilling boat ride.
You can also enjoy some Saundersfoot fishing trips, no matter what level of experience, onboard the Ebony May through their partner website, Saundersfoot Sea Fishing. Don’t miss out on your chance to catch a wide range of fish, from mackerel and sea bass to skate, bream, tope, and more.
Sit back in one of our sea-facing apartments or unwind in one of our cosy cottages in Saundersfoot and refresh ready for your next seaside adventure.
Stay in Pembrokeshire
Pembrokeshire is abundant with amazing things to do across both land and sea. There are so many amazing places to eat and adventures to be had in Pembrokeshire. Try some thrilling coasteering, go on some wonderful walks, visit award-winning beaches and explore some captivating castles. You’ll never get bored on a break in pretty Pembrokeshire so browse our quality range of holiday cottages below and book your next escape.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.