What to Expect when Coasteering in Wales

Written By: The Planet D

You must go Coasteering in Wales. It’s a thrilling adventure of a lifetime! Imagine jumping off cliffs into the freezing Atlantic Ocean off the coast of the UK while being slugged in the face with crashing waves.

Then you get to scale slippery rocks to before walking along a precarious narrow path, all while wearing a double wetsuit to take in the view. Sound like fun? If you said yes, Coasteering in Wales is for you! If not, don’t worry; Coasteering is not as scary as it sounds.

Coasteering in Wales

coasteering wales
This is what Coasteering Looks like

When we asked people on our Facebook Page if they’d like to try coasteering? Many of the answers were – No way! Are you crazy?

This didn’t surprise us as many people think coasteering is just for adrenaline junkies. And it’s no wonder. When watching the videos on the Preseliventure website the night before our trip, I started to worry about what we had gotten ourselves into.

Unfortunately for me, I happened to click on the adrenaline junkie video where extreme TV Hosts Orlando and Aline Coasteering and challenged each other to jump off the highest cliffs possible.

Then when I did a Google search for coasteering, I watched video after video of people flying through the air from high sea cliffs into unforgiving waters. We didn’t have to do that did we? Luckily the answer was no.

What is Coasteering?

water adventures wales coasteering
Oh yea this is fun

Coasteering was invented in Wales and we decided that if we were ever going to give it a try, it would be here. Wales is fast becoming the adventure capital of Europe.

People here love to try quirky and zany things and coasteering is definitely at the top of that list. We were told that it was invented by cold water surfers who were looking for an alternative to surfing when Wales’s coastal conditions weren’t ideal.

They still wanted to be able to get in the water and play, but they also wanted the challenge that surfing offered. Coasteering fit the bill and it has grown in popularity over the years.

Coasteering Wales

coasteering wales
Swimming to the next cliff

Preseliventures was one of the first (if not the first) outfitters to offer coasteering tours in Wales. Our guide Rob told us that Coasteering could be as extreme or as tame as you want it to be. Contrary to popular belief, it’s simply a traverse along the shore and an excellent way to explore the coast. Once Rob put it that way, I relaxed. If I felt like jumping later, I could, if not, no worries.

Coasteering is Exploring and Traversing

adventure holidays uk with Presiliventures
Our guide Rob

The jumping is the popular part for marketing, but it’s only one small aspect of coasteering. Coasteering is actually more about exploring and traversing than simply jumping from big rocks.

There are caves, wildlife, rocks and islands to explore.So to put it plainly, coasteering is for everyone, not just adrenaline junkie thrill-seekers. Although if you are an adrenaline junkie you won’t be disappointed either.

Preseliventure Coasteering

adventure holidays uk coasteering in Wales
Coasteering is more a scramble along the coast

We met Rob and owner Sophie at the Preseliventure Eco-Resort to suit up for our afternoon in the waves. The lodge is the perfect getaway for nature lovers and they even offer pick up from the train station.

You can leave London in the morning and be on the coast of Wales in mere hours! There are several rooms where couples, families and groups can book accommodation and meals and drinks are available at the lodge.

activity holidays uk coasteering
the gear we wear

When coasteering, you need to have a good pair of rubber-soled trainers that you don’t mind getting wet (or they have a few on hand that you can borrow if you are in a pickle).

The Coasteering companies supply wetsuits, helmets, pdfs, and booties. Once we were suited up and thoroughly looking like the Pillsbury Doughboy, we hopped in the van for the 5-minute drive to the coast.

Our Coasteering Experience in Wales

activity holidays uk deb in gear
Deb is geared up

My heart was pounding as we walked along the shore to our jumping in point.

I was trying to act confident, but Dave told me my face was white as a ghost. Coasteering was something I have avoided for much of my travel life.

There is something about being swept out to sea that utterly terrifies me. But Rob had a calming way about him that made me feel confident and ready for the challenge.

outdoor activity centres preseliventures
An Amazing outdoor adventure in Wales

He and Dave got in the water first and I could tell by their reactions, it was cold.

I followed Rob’s advice and bit the bullet and just jumped right in. It took my breath away and I could feel my chest squeezing shut as the cold water flowed into my wetsuit.

It took a few minutes, but once the water warms against your skin, it’s all-good. And soon my breathing was back to normal.

See Dave and Deb take on the Polar Plunge in Antarctica

Huge Waves

outdoor activity centres in wales coasteering
Rob leads the way

Leave it to us to go Coasteering during the tail end of a hurricane.

As we swam to the first set of cliffs, Rob said the ocean was quite rough as Wales was experiencing the remnants of Hurricane Joaquin. Great, just what I needed rough seas.

But as we learned, it really doesn’t matter what the weather is like, Coasteering can easily be modified to suit the day.

Lucky for us, we wouldn’t be able to go out to the high cliffs that Orlando and Aline jumped off of because the water was too rough to swim through to get there.

weekend breaks in wales coasteering
We couldn’t make it to the big jumps – whew

Aw, too bad so sad. I shed my single tear and happily went on with our day knowing that I wouldn’t have to face the choice of jumping from high sea cliffs. It all turned out in the end!

Check out our Coasteering Wales Video!

coasteering in wales video

So, we spent our time playing in some waves feeling what it was like to be in a washing machine.

Dave was far braver than me and loved every minute of it. He’s a Pisces and was made for the water, so with each crash, wave, jump, or churn, he was gung ho with full force.

After playing around on the shore for a while, Rob suggested we cross the channel to check out the views from the nearby island. Sea lions played in the water and watched intently as we crossed. At times I almost felt that they wanted to join us.

Incredible Views of Wales Coastline

weekend breaks in wales pembrokeshire
Looking over the Wales coast

When we got to the other side, we climbed up more cliffs and then enjoyed a leisurely walk to the top. Wales is known for its majestic coastline and this was the most beautiful view we had seen during our time there. The swim was definitely worth it as we looked out over the sea and saw an endless line of imposing sea cliffs.

coasteering is romantic?
Smooching with a view

I think we spent a little too long up there, but Dave and I couldn’t stop taking photographs and video. It was magnificent. And I appreciated it when our guide said, “This is what coasteering is all about.” The fun in the water is one thing, but exploring the coast is the payoff. It was truly a great payoff to a great day.

The weather couldn’t have been better. It was early autumn, but the sun was shining, the air was warm, and our view was endless. Who could ask for more?

We made our way back across the channel and our sea lion friend was still out there keeping an eye on us. The van was waiting for us when we got back and after changing into our warm and dry clothes Sophie asked us how it was. I was amazed to reply, I loved it and I’d do it again!

Will I go Coasteering Again?

the ultimate adventure holiday Coasteering
That water is cold

Now that I’ve done coasteering once, I know that it’s no the big scary thing that I made it out to be in my head. I do believe that when given the chance, I may even jump off one of the high rocks into the churning sea.

But that’s easy to say when I’m sitting here warm and dry at my computer. You’ll just have to follow along to see if I follow through.

swimming to rocks in wales adventure trave
Approaching another obstacle

Preseliventure is located in Pembrokeshire and they offer everything from sea kayaking adventures to surfing. You can drive to the eco-lodge or take the train and they will pick you up. There are multiday adventures or single day activities and an afternoon of coasteering with guide is a very affordable €45.

So what are you waiting for? Want to try a brag-worthy adventure? Coasteering is for you!

what is coasteering wales

Read next:

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Book Your Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner. We have used them for years and have found that they have the best flight deals.

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor.

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO.ย 

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

  • Safety Wing - Occasional Travelers.
  • Medjet - Global air medical transport and travel security.

Book Your Activities: Looking for walking tours, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more? Then we recommend Get Your Guide.

Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

About The Planet D

Dave Bouskill and Debra Corbeil are the owners and founders of The Planet D. After traveling to 115 countries, on all 7 continents over the past 13 years they have become one of the foremost experts in travel. Being recognized as top travel bloggers and influencers by the likes of Forbes Magazine, the Society of American Travel Writers and USA Today has allowed them to become leaders in their field.

Leave a Comment

12 thoughts on “What to Expect when Coasteering in Wales”

  1. Extraordinary post, first time I’ve found out about asterisking, I’d love to give that a go, maybe in some water however! Those photographs of Wales are unimaginable, hugely underestimated. Much obliged for the post!

    Reply
  2. I’ve never heard about coasteering! That looks like so much fun! and a bit of craziness ๐Ÿ˜‰
    I want to visit Wales one day as it’s such a beautiful place!

    Reply
  3. COASTEERING IS AN AMAZING PHYSICAL ADVENTURE…
    THIS IS REALLY FANTASTIC CAUSE THIS WE CAN DO AS ACCORDING TO OUR WILLING EITHER WE CAN ENJOY THIS BY SWIMMING OR BY FOOT…
    WONDERFUL PICTURES…

    Reply
  4. Great post, first time I’ve heard about coasteering, I’d love to give that a go, perhaps in some water water though! Those photos of Wales are unbelievable, massively underrated. Thanks for the post!

    Reply
  5. Coasteering? Now, that’s a new one :-). Maybe a bit too zany for us – hiking along those coastal cliffs look like more our style :-).

    Reply
  6. What a great article and photos. I love the views you guys seen and I never heard of coasteering so that was a good thing to learn. Looking forward to trying it some day. Thank you for sharing your experience ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  7. What a great read! Thanks for joining us Deb and Dave, we are thrilled to hear you enjoyed the experience and that you would do it again! As you mentioned coasteering can be as tame or extreem as you wish and not so cold with a snug winter wet suit : )

    Enjoy your adventures!

    Sammy and the Preseli Venture Team

    Reply
  8. It looks a fun activity, but I would skip it because my resistance to cold water is very low. I know it is a lame excuse and it makes me sad.

    Reply