Boat Trips in Pembrokeshire: Which One to Book

Boat trips here fall into four kinds, and booking the wrong one is the most common way people end up disappointed. Sort out which you want first, then find an operator.

1. Island landings

You go ashore and stay for a few hours. This is Skomer from Martin's Haven, Ramsey from St Justinian's, and Caldey from Tenby harbour.

Landing numbers are limited on the nature reserves, places are booked in advance and they sell out. Take everything you need with you — there is no lunch to buy on Skomer or Ramsey.

2. Wildlife cruises around the islands

Slower boats, usually an hour or two, circling the coast and the islands without landing. Grey seals hauled out on the rocks, cliff colonies of guillemots, razorbills and kittiwakes, and in summer a reasonable chance of harbour porpoise and common dolphins.

This is the sensible choice with small children, with anyone unsure about a rough ride, and on days when a landing has been called off.

3. Gannet trips to Grassholm

A longer run, eleven miles offshore, out to one of the world's biggest gannet colonies. You cannot land — the island is closed — so the trip circles it. Sea conditions decide everything this far out, and these are the first sailings to be cancelled. More on the island itself in Skokholm and Grassholm.

4. Fast boats through the tide races

Pembrokeshire has two serious tidal races: the Bitches in Ramsey Sound, and Jack Sound between the mainland and Skomer. Both produce standing waves, overfalls and whirlpools when the tide runs hard, and some operators run rigid inflatables into them deliberately.

It's a ride, not a wildlife trip. Wet, loud, bumpy and genuinely memorable. Minimum ages and health restrictions usually apply — check before you book for a group.

What gets cancelled, and why

Rain doesn't stop boats. Wind and swell do, and so does the state of the tide on some routes. A clear, warm morning with a stiff northwesterly can be a no-sailing day, and the further offshore the trip goes, the lower the threshold.

Two rules that save holidays. Book early in your stay, not on the last day, so a cancellation has somewhere to go. And book direct with the operator, who knows the forecast and the sea state and will tell you honestly.

Seasons, sailing times and prices change every year. Always check the operator's own page rather than a printed schedule or anything written here.

On the day

Boarding is often from a slipway, a beach or a set of steps, with a step down into a moving boat. St Justinian's and Martin's Haven both involve a steep walk from the car park, and neither has much parking — arrive early.

Take more layers than the temperature suggests; it is always colder on the water. A waterproof, a hat and something to hold your phone in are all worth it. If you're prone to seasickness, take something before you sail rather than after, and pick the flatter cruise over the RIB.

What you might see

Grey seals all year, and pups in the coves from late August. Common dolphins and harbour porpoise through the summer. Sunfish and, occasionally, basking sharks in late summer. Puffins from around April to late July, guillemots and razorbills through the breeding season, gannets constantly.

Nothing is guaranteed. Any operator promising otherwise is telling you what you want to hear.

Where to base yourself

For the western trips, Marloes, Dale, St Davids and Solva. For Caldey, Tenby or Saundersfoot. See more on the water in things to do.