The Welsh Coast
Sea Kayaking Pembrokeshire, Wales
The Welsh Coast offers some of the finest sea kayaking to be had. Paddle along dramatic sea cliffs and watch birds nesting precariously in the rocks. Glide silently into caves and listen to the sound of a breathing dragon as the sea swell compresses air pockets in the stone, releasing a puff of air and the sound of a growling mythical creature.
While Wales is part of the United Kingdom, it has retained much of its Welsh pride as evidenced in its people, castles, sites, culture, and history. In addition to the paddling portions of the trip, you’ll have the opportunity to see these sites and sample Welsh life.
We’ll even change pace a bit and go for a motor boat ride through one of the strongest tidal races in the world know as “The Bitches”. Here, the incoming and outgoing tides are funneled between Ramsey Island and the mainland, creating an incredible current.
All your nights in Wales will be spent in a cozy traditional Welsh cottage. We’ll also be spending our first and last nights in Dublin, Ireland so you’ll get your city fix as well.
When: June 15 – 24, 2020
Where: You will first fly into Dublin, Ireland where we will spend one night. The next day we’ll take a ferry to Holyhead in northwest Wales. From there we will drive to our cottage near St. Davids in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park where we will base all our day trips from. At the end of the trip, we’ll drive back to Holyhead and catch the ferry to Dublin where you will fly home.
What’s Included: All lodging, most food and drink starting with dinner on day 1 and ending with breakfast on day 10, professional guides, a motorboat ride, ground transportation including transfers to and from airports and rental van, ferries to and from Dublin and Holyhead. Kayaks, paddles, and PFD’s are also included.
What’s not included: Airfare, 6 meals, beverages between meals while in cities, alcoholic beverages, unscheduled activities, laundry service, additional days, personal travel insurance, tips for staff, and anything not listed as included.
Food: Most meals are included and prepared by staff while at the cottage, but be prepared to be independent for 5-6 meals at restaurants or when staff need a night off. On paddling days, lunches will be packed and brought with us. Please let us know about any dietary restrictions so we can best accommodate them.
Lodging: Our nights in Dublin will be spent at a reasonable hotel with easy access to the city center. In Wales, we’ll stay in the Porthiddy Farm Holiday Cottages. These are 5-star self-catering cottages, just 500 yards from Abereiddy Beach. All lodging has a shared room arrangement. Depending on group size, single occupancy may not be available at the cottage. Please contact us if you require single occupancy.
Guides: Your lead guide on the water will be Steve Maynard. At FHE, safety is always a top priority. This is why all guides we work with are professional, knowledgeable, and hold relevant certification from the British Canoe Union and/or the American Canoe Association to include water safety and rescue training.
Price: $3,500. Minimum of 4 and a maximum of 9 participants. Group discounts available.
Visa Requirements: Citizens of the USA do not need a visa before arriving in Ireland or the United Kingdom.
(be sure to see our full itinerary)
Day 1- Fly to Dublin, Ireland. See the city, stay in a hotel.
Day 2- Take the ferry to Wales. Enjoy the drive along the scenic Welsh coast to Pembrokeshire and our cottage.
Days 3 and 4- Kayak the stunning Pembrokeshire National Park coastline.
Day 5- Take a break from paddling and visit St. Davids Cathedral, Pembroke Castle, and St. Govan’s Chapel.
Days 6 and 7- Explore more of the Welsh coast by Kayak and watch for flocks of nesting migratory birds.
Day 8- Visit prehistoric ruins and burial chamber. Take a motorboat ride through “The Bitches”.
Day 9- Travel back to Dublin.
Day 10- Say your goodbyes and fly home.