Coasteering was invented in Wales. This is not marketing copy — the sport was developed and named by TYF Adventure in Pembrokeshire in the early 1990s, and the Pembrokeshire coast remains one of the best places in the world to do it. The Cambrian Coast geology — sea cliffs of Precambrian rock, deep-water gulleys, surge channels and sea caves — is purpose-built for the combination of scrambling, swimming and jumping that constitutes coasteering.
What coasteering involves
Helmets, wetsuits and buoyancy aids are provided and mandatory. You'll scramble along the base of sea cliffs, swim through channels and gulleys, enter sea caves where appropriate, and jump from rocky ledges into the sea below — all jump points checked in advance by the guide. Jumps range from a couple of metres to 10+ metres depending on location and your preference. Participation in any jump is always voluntary. The guide handles route-finding and safety; participants need basic fitness, swimming ability and no strong objection to getting comprehensively wet.
The Pembrokeshire sites
Pembrokeshire's main coasteering sites are around St David's Head, the cliffs above Porthclais, the channels east of Ramsey Island and the coastline near Tenby and Pembroke. The National Park designation has preserved the coastline in exceptional condition. The combination of geology, marine life and sheer dramatic scenery makes Pembrokeshire coasteering one of the more satisfying outdoor experiences in the UK — which is a significant statement given the competition.
Wales vs Cornwall for coasteering
Both are excellent. Pembrokeshire's geology produces more dramatic deep-water gulleys and longer traverses; Cornwall has more operators and shorter travel times from most of England. The Pembrokeshire experience is generally considered more serious and varied; the sea is slightly cooler. If you have the option of both, do both — they're genuinely different experiences.
Adventuro centres in Wales
- Tenby Adventure — A Tenby-based adventure provider offering coasteering and outdoor activities along the Pembrokeshire coast, one of the most dramatic and accessible adventure coastlines in the UK.
- Pembrokeshire Coastal Adventure — Chris and his team are coasteering and climbing specialists at Abereiddy, Lydstep and Stackpole — the most dramatic venues in Pembrokeshire for swimming, cliff jumping and deep water soloing.
- Outer Reef Surf School — Established in 1999 in Pembrokeshire and now Wales Surf School of the Year, Dean's AALA-licensed team runs coasteering and surf across four coastal locations for all levels.
- The Big Blue Experience — Ed's centre at Newgale Beach has been combining coasteering, surfing, SUP and kite sports in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park since 2001 — a genuinely comprehensive coastal adventure base.
- Be Adventurous — A Pembrokeshire adventure centre founded by John, with over two decades in the outdoor industry spanning coasteering, kayaking and water safety.
