Over 70% of the planet is covered by water, but that doesn’t mean that the marine world is out of reach for us terrestrial folk. The good news is that the most accessible part of the oceans, the coastal waters, are the most interesting. The area where the land meets the sea is shaped by the forces of both, which create the spectacular cliffs, islands, beaches and reefs which make up the coastline, and these are the perfect habitat for the majority of marine life. The Southwest peninsula of Wales boasts some of the most striking coast in the UK, much of it protected by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, and it’s easy to explore this environment without even getting your feet wet by taking a boat trip.

At the tip of the southern peninsula of Wales, Pembrokeshire boasts sandy beaches, fjords and numerous islands. The waters are home to marine mammals including seals and dolphins, while whales frequently take a break on their migration routes to feed here. The islands, most of which are uninhabited by humans, are havens for marine birds and boast globally significant populations of puffins, gannets and shearwaters. The rocky shores are perfect for nesting, and abundant fish in the surrounding water are a good food source. Numerous boat tours take place around the Pembrokeshire coast allowing you to discover this fascinating environment in the company of an expert guide. Big boats and small, long tours and short, there are options for all preferences and price ranges.

Where are the best boat tours in Pembrokeshire?

• Ramsay Island: rising up out of the ocean just a kilometre off the coast of St. Davids, Ramsay is a dramatic island of heathland and hills with a rocky coast. Many seabirds make their nests here, including peregrine falcons and choughs, who share the island with a human population of just 2. If you take a boat tour of the island in the Autumn, you might see grey whales nursing their young in the coves and inlets.

• Skomer Island: the largest island off the Pembrokeshire coast, Skomer is the nesting site for over half of the world’s population of manx shearwaters, and the largest colony of Atlantic puffins in the country. Skomer is also a site of archeological interest, and boat trips can include a landing to explore the ancient stone circles in the interior.

• Grassholm Island: flung out in the sea eight miles off the coast of Pembrokeshire is the rocky outcrop of Grassholm. Don’t let the name fool you, there’s no grass here - instead the name comes from its green appearance, a result of the huge amounts of guano (bird droppings!) left by the 39,000 breeding pairs of gannets. You can’t go ashore on a boat trip to Grassholm, but you’ll be able to complete a full circle of the small, crowded rock.

• Skokholm Island: the viking name Skokholm means “wooded island” but any trees that were standing when they visited a thousand years ago have vanished. The most noticeable standing structure is a lighthouse on the southwest corner which was built in the eighteenth century to guide ships into the harbour at Milford Haven. Skokholm lies to the South of Skomer, and these islands can easily be visited on the same tour.

• Caldey and St Margaret’s: around the South coast of the Pembrokeshire peninsula, Caldey has the biggest human population of the Pembrokeshire islands, largely made up of monks. This is holy land, an important site of pilgrimage with a monastic presence that dates back over 1,500 years. The modern day monks continue to welcome visitors who arrive by boat with chocolates and perfume which are made on the island. St Margaret’s is a small rocky island which is separated from Caldey at high tide.

What can be seen during the excursion?

+ Wildlife: as well as the large and globally significant bird populations that can be seen nesting on the islands, flying overhead and flushing in the waters, a boat trip in these waters is the perfect way to see marine mammals. Seals are particularly easy to spot, as they spend their down time basking on the rocks at the water’s edge. It’s also possible to see three species of dolphins from your boat: common, bottlenose and Risso’s dolphins, and their smaller cousin, the harbour porpoise. Harder to spot are whales, whose appearance depends on the time of year, and a bit of luck. Some people say that you have a 25% chance of glimpsing one, so if you don’t manage to see an orca, minke or sei whale on your first trip, you’ll just have to come back for more!

+ Fishing: if you’re wondering why so many wonderful animals choose to come to Pembrokeshire, the answer is food. The coastal waters are teeming with fish, and you can take a boat trip to take advantage of this bounty yourself. Common fish species like cod and pollock can be caught near the shore, while rays and conger eels are found a bit further out. Or for a real angling adventure, why not try and catch a shark? Blue sharks and porbeagles can measure up to 2 metres long and can be caught in open water off Pembrokeshire.

Meeting points

- With its maritime and fishing traditions, Pembrokeshire has many ports and harbours where you can start your boat tour. For visits to Ramsay Island, the best point of departure is St. David’s, the smallest city in the UK. From here you can also reach Skomer and Skokholm and on the journey you might spot dolphins and other marine wildlife. For an unforgettable boat trip, you can book an evening tour. As well as the sunset, you’ll also see shearwaters as this is when they start to feed.

- There are several harbours on the southern point of the peninsula: Dale, Milford Haven and Pembroke Dock. From here, you’re within easy reach of Scomer and Skokholm, and it’s the only point on the mainland close enough to Grassholm to make a visit worthwhile. Boat trips can combine several islands on route, and if you choose to visit all three, the extra time on the water will increase your chances of seeing some of the less common animals that inhabit the area.

- Tenby, with its long sandy expanses, is a favourite destination for beach lovers. It’s also a setting off point for visits to Caldey and St Margeret’s, just a mile to the South. You can disembark on Caldey to explore it on foot and discover the coastline from the comfort of the boat. Just around the coast is Saundersfoot, another option for Caldey Island tours, and a great spot to take a seal watching trip.

Requirements to do this activity

A boat trip is a wonderful experience for all the family. Getting onto the water and seeing the islands and animals is an exciting experience for everyone - and you’ll learn something too. All ages are welcome on trips around the coast, including babes in arms, and you can even bring the dog. If you’re going to land on an island there are one or two things to bear in mind: firstly, only assistance dogs are allowed for the protection of the bird species, and secondly, some landing sites are not suitable for people with limited mobility (Skomer for example has a flight of 87 stone steps that lead down to the port).

You can go fishing off the Pembrokeshire coast even if you’ve never held a fishing rod. Of course, if you’re an experienced angler you’re also welcome and you might choose one of the more challenging fishing experiences. You can bring your own kit, or hire it from the provider.

How long is a ride?

The length of your voyage all depends on what you want to do and see off the Pembrokeshire coast. The shortest trips are around 1 hour, and these include seal watching tours that visit the coast not far from port where seals bask in the sun and swim in the shallows. Some trips are much longer, for example those that combine various islands or take in Grassholm island. Travelling between islands takes time which can make your trip last several hours and if you cross the eight miles of open sea that separate Grassholm from the shore, it will take up most of your day.

Another boat trip option is to cross the water and land on one of Pembrokeshire’s islands. The boat journey itself might take as little as 15 minutes either way, but with around 3 hours to explore the island on foot, whether it’s Ramsay, Skomer or Caldey, this can be a 4 to 5 hour experience. Wildlife tours are often longer too, as some animals prefer the open ocean to coastal waters. Depending on what you want to see, you could be on the boat for any amount of time up to 3 hours.

Finally, fishing trips can also vary in length. You can go looking for common species such as mackerel off the coast of Pembrokeshire for just an hour and a half. On the other hand, take a full day (6 to 8 hours or more), to catch a shark in the open ocean, plumb the inky depths or visit shipwrecks and see what you can pull up from the water.

This adventure will give you a new perspective on the county that will stay with you for years, don’t put it off any longer! Book now!