Seaside Fun With Croft Farm & Celtic Cottages

The summer is in full swing now with long golden days and warm evenings as the sun sinks gently below the horizon. This time of year is when the sea and our beautiful coastal location create the backdrop to family-fun and holiday memories which last a lifetime.

Here are a few of our favourite recommendations for making the most of our Year of the Sea:

Coasteering

This popular activity where the sea meets land is a blend of scrambling, leaping, cliff jumping and swimming, and our coast is the perfect place to be brave and have a go, with its stunning sea caves, vertical rock faces, and swirling sea-pools with names like ‘the washing machine.’

You’ll be given a wetsuit, helmet and buoyancy aid, with a side order of adrenaline and the raw thrill of fears overcome as your guide takes your group on an epic experience.

It’s the perfect way to ditch the screens and have a family adventure with plenty of fodder for tales of daring as you reminisce over a campfire on the beach in the evening.

Some excellent local providers include Cardigan Bay Active and Celtic Quest Coasteering.

Paddle boarding

Stand Up Paddle Boarding is a fairly recent addition to the local water sports scene, and as the name implies, it involves standing on what looks like an over-sized surfboard and paddling your way around with a long paddle. More sedate than surfing and best done in calm conditions, this is a great way to explore the local bays and coves and is suitable for many ages and abilities.

Click here for a list of local providers.

Wildlife-Spotting Boat Trips

We are blessed with some of the best wildlife of the UK here in West Wales, including the resident dolphins of Cardigan Bay, and what better way to see it than on a boat trip.

A Bay To Remember Wildlife Watching Boat Trips run multiple times, six days a week (weather permitting) leaving from nearby Gwbert. On their powerful fixed-rib boats you can choose trips of different lengths which take you around Cardigan Island, up to Mwnt, across to Cemaes Head and further. Their expert wildlife guides will show you the hidden gems of our coast including caves, sea birds, seals, and the Cardigan Bay dolphins (although what you’ll see is not guaranteed of course, as they are wild).

One of our other favourites to recommend is a boat trip across to Skomer Island. Departing from Martin’s Haven, as you chug into the landing bay harbour which teems with birdlife, you’ll be enchanted. There are several walks around the island to suit different abilities, and you’ll have the opportunity to see the iconic Puffins who nest and raise their young pufflings on the island. As well as the Puffins there are thousands of other birds including Razorbills, Guillemots, Gulls, Fulmars, Gannets, Cormorants and more! Skomer Island has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is the only Marine Nature Reserve in Wales, so if you’re interested in nature it is well worth a visit.

Note – boat crossings cannot be pre-booked, you have to turn up on the day.

For more details click here.

Rock Pooling

Another popular pastime and a great way for younger children to enjoy getting close to nature is Rock Pooling. Armed with a shrimping net and bucket what could be more exciting than peering into the depths to see tiny creatures darting and scuttling away under the seaweed, and ruby red anemones shyly closing as they sense a ripple in the water.

This timeless classic is a fabulous way to potter along the local beaches (Poppit and Newport both have excellent rock pools) whatever the weather.

As always, respect the wildlife and take away only memories (and perhaps photos), and always be careful to return them to their original pool.

Beaches

No holiday would be complete without days spent on the beach, and we certainly have plenty to choose from.

Poppit Sands and Newport are large sandy beaches nearby, with plenty of space to spread out and enjoy beach games and picnics. Both beaches have the lifeguards in attendance during the summer months so are great family-friendly beaches for swimming and water sports.

Further up the coast you can visit the beaches at Mwnt, Aberporth, Tresaith and Penbryn, or head towards Fishguard and check out Cwm yr Eglwys with its ruined chapel remains, and Pwllgwaelod just a short walk away on the other side of Dinas Head.

If you fancy something a little wilder Ceibwr Bay is a small pebbly cove nearby. If you walk about a mile south of Ceibwr along the coastal path you’ll come to The Witches’ Cauldron, a collapsed cave and hidden tunnels which lead to a sea cave which is only accessible by kayak.

As you can see, there is something for everyone in the family to enjoy with our stunning coast, beaches and wildlife here in West Wales.

With all activities we recommend you book through qualified providers who have your safety as their top priority whilst also making sure you have lots of fun too! We’re always happy to give you details of local providers.

If you would like to book a holiday with us check out our dates, prices and availability on the Look & Book page (we have some great late availability offers!) or call us on 01239 615179. We look forward to seeing you soon!