Pembrokeshire pioneered coasteering — traversing the rocky coastline by swimming, scrambling, jumping, and cliff jumping. The National Park coastline offers the finest coasteering in the UK with sea caves, natural slides, and dramatic cliff jumps.
Pembrokeshire, on the southwestern tip of Wales, is widely credited as the birthplace of coasteering as an organised adventure activity. The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park encompasses more than 186 miles of some of the most dramatic shoreline in the British Isles, with sea stacks, collapsed sea caves, natural rock slides, and exposed cliff platforms that make the area an exceptional venue for this form of coastal exploration. Coasteering involves traversing the intertidal zone without a boat — a combination of scrambling over rock, swimming across channels, cliff jumping, and navigating sea caves on the incoming tide. The activity requires no prior technical skill but demands a reasonable level of physical fitness, comfort in open water, and a willingness to enter the sea in conditions that include genuine swell and surge. All participants are equipped by the operator with a full wetsuit, buoyancy aid, and helmet. Pembrokeshire's coastline benefits from the warming influence of the Gulf Stream, keeping sea temperatures relatively mild by UK standards — typically 14 to 17 degrees Celsius between June and September, dropping to around 9 degrees Celsius by February. The most popular coasteering stretches include the areas around St Non's Bay near St Davids, Broad Haven South, and sections near Solva and Abercastle. Each location offers a different character: some feature long open swimming sections, others concentrate on cliff jumps ranging from two to twelve metres, and certain routes pass through narrow cave systems lined with kelp and sea anemones. Operators holding National Governing Body qualifications through the British Coasteering Federation are essential in Pembrokeshire. Celtic Quest Coasteering, based in St Davids, is among the most established operators in the area. Pre-session safety briefings cover wave awareness, jump technique, and emergency procedures. Groups typically number six to twelve participants with a minimum of two qualified guides. Session durations run between two and three hours covering between 300 metres and one kilometre of coastline depending on conditions and group pace. Wildlife encounters are common — grey seals regularly appear alongside coasteering groups, and the seabird colonies on the cliffs include razorbills and guillemots between April and July.
Activity facts
- Where
- Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Wales
Highlights
- Traverse the dramatic Pembrokeshire Coast National Park shoreline in the birthplace of organised UK coasteering
- Cliff jumps ranging from two to twelve metres with qualified guides managing all safety throughout the session
- Grey seal encounters are common in the water along the St Davids and Broad Haven South coasteering sections
- Full equipment provided — wetsuit, buoyancy aid, and helmet — with no prior experience required for entry-level sessions
Tips for visiting
- Book at least a week in advance in July and August; morning slots sell out fastest in peak season
- Wear a swimsuit or thin synthetic base layer under the wetsuit — avoid thick cotton or jeans
- Sessions are timed to the tide; operators may reschedule if swell or tidal conditions pose a safety concern
- Secure glasses with a sports strap and leave jewellery and loose items securely in the operator's vehicle before entering the water
- Sea temperatures remain below 14 degrees Celsius until late June; a 5mm wetsuit is provided but cold-water face exposure is unavoidable
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be able to swim to go coasteering in Pembrokeshire?
Swimming ability is required — participants should be able to tread water and swim at least 25 metres in open water. A buoyancy aid is worn throughout the session, which provides additional flotation, but participants must be comfortable in a sea environment with swell and surge.
What is the minimum age for coasteering in Pembrokeshire?
Most operators accept participants from age eight upward, with parental consent required for under-18s. Some sessions are designed specifically for children and families, while adult-only sessions cover more challenging jump heights and longer swim sections.
Is coasteering cancelled in wet or windy weather?
Coasteering operates in light rain and mild conditions. Sessions are postponed or redirected to a calmer alternative site if swell height, wind speed, or visibility poses a safety risk. Operators contact participants in advance of any changes and typically offer rebooking at no extra charge.
Are the cliff jumps in Pembrokeshire optional?
Yes — all jumps are optional throughout the session. Participants may swim around any jump section without any obligation. Jump heights on standard sessions range from two to six metres, with larger optional jumps up to twelve metres at certain sites for those who wish to attempt them.
Are there wildlife encounters during coasteering sessions?
Grey seals are commonly encountered in Pembrokeshire coasteering zones and are habituated to the presence of groups in the water. Operators brief participants on maintaining a respectful distance. Seabirds, fish, and various intertidal species are regularly visible in the rock pools and sea caves.