Pembrokeshire Islands
6 Days
Holiday Highlights
- A wide range of whale and dolphin sightings possible including Minke Whales, huge schools of Common Dolphins, Bottlenose Dolphins, Risso's Dolphins, Harbour Porpoises and, if we are lucky, Orcas!
- Trip to Skomer Island* where we go ashore to experience close encounters with Puffins and other Auks.
- Visit Grassholm Island which is home to the second largest Gannet colony in the Northern Hemisphere.
- Guided walk on the RSPB reserve of Ramsey Island - a birdwatcher's paradise and home to one of the largest Atlantic Grey Seal colonies in Europe.
- Enjoy a break in Britain's smallest city - St Davids (population 2085)
- Time to explore the beautiful and unspoilt Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
*We will need to use our cars to travel to some destinations (we organise car-sharing for people who travelled by public transport)
Description
This holiday is packed full of fantastic opportunities to explore the magical islands of Pembrokeshire. We will be based in Britain's smallest city - St Davids - which in reality is a small attractive village situated within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The dominant presence in the city is the magnificent Cathedral and the medieval ruins of the Bishop's Palace. St Davids has a very special atmosphere and there will be plenty of time to explore its many attractions.
A short ride away is the spectacular Pembrokeshire coastline renowned for its beauty and abundant wildlife. The islands of Skomer, Grassholm and Ramsey are of international importance for their seabird populations while the surrounding waters are a seasonal home to huge schools of Common Dolphins (often in their hundreds, sometimes in their thousands!). We also hope to have fabulous encounters with Minke Whales, Bottlenose Dolphins, Grey Seals, Harbour Porpoise and, if we are very lucky, Orca!
Our trips are designed to take advantage of the peak time of year for whale and dolphin sightings. We have chartered the best boats to ensure we maximise our opportunities of encountering all the wonderful wildlife that Pembrokeshire has to offer. All this in Wales, UK!
Itinerary
- Day 1.
- Meet your WDCS guide. Welcome talk and evening meal.
- Day 2.
- A full-day whale and dolphin watching in the Irish Sea.
- Day 3.
- Visit Skomer Island for close-up encounters with Puffins, Razorbills and Guillemots.
- Day 4.
- Half day whale and dolphin watching. Afternoon free to explore St Davids and the surrounding Pembrokeshire Coast.
- Day 5.
- A guided tour of Ramsey Island - a RSPB Reserve and also home to one of the largest Atlantic Grey Seal colonies in Europe. Farewell evening meal.
- Day 6.
- Tour ends after breakfast. Travel home.
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Whilst most departures follow the itinerary as noted above, we reserve the right to change the itinerary to ensure a successful trip.
- Tour Code: BPEM
- Cost per person: From £699 per person (Land only)
- WDCS Donation Included: £20 per person direct to WDCS
- Single supplement: £280
- What's included: All transfers, whale and dolphin watching trips. Five nights accommodation at The Waterings, a delightful Bed and Breakfast on the outskirts of St Davids. All rooms ensuite. Car parking available. All breakfasts and packed lunches. Island tours and entrance to RSPB Reserve.
- Not included: Travel to St Davids; travel insurance; evening meals; alcoholic drinks; personal items.
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Departure dates:
26 June - 1 July 2010
11 - 16 Jun
25 - 30 Jun
9 - 14 Jul - Guides: WDCS guide and Thousand Islands Expeditions staff.
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Group size: 11 maximum
"A truly great and well organised holiday, the boat trips were some of the best we have had anywhere with truly memorable experiences. It was certainly very hard to go back home"
L & J.T. 2009Trust the guide:
"A superb opportunity to see the whales, dolphins and other marine wildlife around the magical Pembrokeshire Islands and beyond!"
Rob Lott.
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