Looking for something for your family to do in the holidays? Explore the beauty of West Wales and all it has to offer.
West Wales has everything you need, from some of the UK’s most beautiful beaches to local marine life and adrenaline-filled activities for the whole family to enjoy.
Finding new things to do can feel overwhelming when there’s so much choice. So we’ve put together some family-friendly ideas for an unforgettable holiday that won’t break the bank.
Whether you’re planning a trip to West Wales for the summer, a day out in the October half-term, or a short weekend getaway, there’s plenty for you to see and do – so let’s get exploring!
Family-Friendly Beaches In West Wales
West Wales is home to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the UK’s only coastal national park boasting some of Britain’s most stunning beaches. Featuring dramatic sea cliffs, golden beaches, and secret coves, there’s so much to discover.
Whether you prefer a relaxed beach day out with the family or an adrenaline-filled afternoon of water sports, Pembrokeshire has everything you need within a short distance of each other.
Beach holidays remain one of the UK’s most popular breaks and for good reason. They offer a stress-free, affordable, and accessible staycation without the need for a passport.
From seaside walks to quaint little shops and lively local events, here are some of our top beach recommendations for the whole family to enjoy:
1. Goodwick Sands Beach
- Large, sandy beach
- Nearby shops, cafes and Sea Môr Aquarium
- Great for rockpooling, dolphin and whale spotting
- Dog-friendly areas
- Toilet and parking facilities
2. Fishguard Main Beach
- Close to Fishguard town centre and harbour
- Easy beach access
- Lots to see and do
- Nearby shops, restaurants and ice cream
- Toilet and parking facilities
3. Newgale Beach
- Award-winning sandy beach
- Large car parking facilities
- Excellent for surfing and rockpooling
- Beach cafes and shops
- Great for wave-watching
4. Abereiddy Beach
- Smaller, family-friendly dark sand beach
- Blue Lagoon
- Less crowded, more scenic
- Popular for coasteering
- Great for exploring rock formations
Explore Pembrokeshire’s Local Marine Life
Pembrokeshire is home to all kinds of marine life, from porpoises and grey seals to basking sharks. Whether you fancy watching from the shoreline, heading out by boat or exploring the coast by canoe, there’s more to spot here than you’d expect.
The best time to explore Pembrokeshire is generally in the summer to early autumn months (June to October) for wildlife spotting. This gives you a better chance of seeing local marine life, though sightings can appear all year-round.
If you’re planning your trip in or close to Fishguard, you may be able to spot porpoises and bottlenose dolphins – a magical experience whether it’s your first or fifteenth sighting – you can even adopt a porpoise.
At Sea Trust’s Sea Môr Aquarium, get up close with species rarely seen in the wild – from jellyfish and stickleback fish to nursehound sharks.
Home to marine life native to the Pembrokeshire coast, choose from a self-guided tour or a tour led by our Sea Trust Marine Biologists and learn all about the ocean. Whether you’re visiting Goodwick Sands or Fishguard, Sea Trust’s Aquarium is an ideal activity before, after, or even during your beach day out.
Discover wildlife along the beach and sign up for Seashore Safari, including identification cards, buckets, and hand nets. Never seen or held a crab before? Our team will help you spot and get hands-on in our local rockpools, creating unforgettable memories for the whole family.
Whatever the weather, exploring local marine life can be both an interactive and fun experience, both indoors and outdoors. Learn more about Sea Trust and our marine projects and research.
Fun Activities For The Whole Family
Looking for more activities for your holiday? In addition to spotting local marine life, Pembrokeshire and West Wales offer endless adventure for the family.
Whether you enjoy adrenaline-pumping water sports or prefer leisurely coastal walks, there’s an activity for everyone.
Watersports
If you love watersports, sign up for sea kayaking, canoeing or, if you’re feeling brave, coasteering. You may even want to hire a boat or go paddle boarding to discover the coastline’s rugged cliffs, sea caves and crystal blue waters. Paddle at your own leisure or join a guided tour – whatever works for you and your family.
Coastal Walks & Woodland Trails
Prefer being on land rather than at sea? Take a marine walk and stroll along the coast with panoramic views of St George’s Channel. The best thing about a UK staycation is that you can go at your own pace, taking as long or as little as you like.
If you have younger children, you may find that taking part in a woodland trail rather than a coastal hike may be more suitable. Discover plenty of family-friendly trails, including Goodwick Moor’s Nature Reserve or Lower Town Woodland Walk in Fishguard.
Or if you’re happy to drive, you can also visit Scolton Manor Park – offering a park, tour of the grounds, tearooms and beekeeping centre.
Castles & Historical Buildings
West Wales boasts incredible historical culture, from Pembroke and Tenby castles in the south to Nevern and Cardigan castles in the north – a great activity for your children to learn more about history and spark their imagination while exploring the castle stairs and ruins.
This is a good alternative activity to break up the beach days, as well as an option for a rainy day activity or if you fancy mixing in some culture on your trip.
Whatever type of holidaymaker you are, Pembrokeshire offers both coastal and countryside experiences all year round.
Plan Your Next Adventure With Sea Trust
From beautiful beaches to thrilling water sports, West Wales has it all.
Whether you arrive in the morning for a beach day and want to explore the aquarium, or you’re planning a full itinerary of activities, Sea Trust’s location in Goodwick puts you at the heart of the action.
Combine beach time with our aquarium experiences or join a Seashore Safari to hunt for sea creatures in rockpools, or simply relax at our Ocean Lab Cafe between activities. Our team is here to help you discover the incredible marine life that makes Pembrokeshire so special.
Plan your visit today and make sure to include Sea Trust on your list of things to do in West Wales on your next family holiday.