Exhilarating coastal experiences to tick off your list

They’re the perfect place to hang out with a big group of friends or family, ticking off some bucket list adventures. Here are some great experiences that are best enjoyed as a group.

Wales is home to an 870-mile long coast path, the world’s first uninterrupted route along a country’s coast. Stretching the entirety of the Welsh coastline, some hardy visitors have conquered the whole trail, but if you’re looking for a more chilled out journey with a few mates, you can tackle it one stretch at a time. As you’d expect, there’s a wide variety of different places to stay, eat and drink along the way. Check out the Wales Coast Path app to plan your journey.

You may have heard of Flat Holm, the isolated island off Cardiff Bay which forms the most southerly point of Wales. But did you know it’s home to one of Wales’ most unique pubs? The pub has one of the most extraordinary beer gardens in the world: basically, the rest of the island. The trip will take some planning, as you need to book a place on a boat to get there, but we promise it’s worth the effort. Enjoy the island’s natural charms, explore the lighthouse and sink a pint of delicious ale.

If you’re visiting Pembrokeshire, this is a must. Abereiddy’s Blue Lagoon is a former slate quarry, that’s now a mecca for cliff jumpers the world over thanks to the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series. If this sounds right up your street, coasteering experts Adventure Beyond can be your guides to plummeting (safely) into the water below. If you’re one of the not so adventurous members of the group, the Blue Lagoon itself is a natural amphitheatre, so you can be in charge of the Instagrams.

There are a number of acclaimed music festivals in Wales – we are the Land of Song after all, and most of these festivals are on our beautiful coastline.  For something entirely different, head to Porthcawl, South Wales for the annual Elvis Festival. For the last 15 years, this seaside town has been a beacon for fans of the King, with hundreds of Presley impersonators from all over the world descending on its beaches, pubs and bars for a weekend every autumn.

Welsh waters are filled to the brim with wildlife, including dolphins, porpoise and seals. Head to New Quay in Cardigan Bay, Mid Wales, for some of the best wildlife-watching trips. Keep your eyes peeled for a rare sea turtle and get the lowdown on the area from your knowledgeable skipper. 

Search for boat trips near New Quay

If you haven’t had enough escapades on your trip so far, head to Preseli Venture in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire. There, you can experience an adventure day like never before, taking in the totally untouched, rugged wilderness of West Wales at locations so secret we can’t even link you to them! What we can say is that the adventures include kayaking to off-shore islands, exploring mystical caves, and floating among the rock gardens. If you need an extended stay, you can rest your weary limbs at Preseli Venture’s five star eco lodge.

The Welsh coast can be fantastic fun and provides great opportunities for adventurous activities, but please read up on the risks and make sure you are prepared.

• Follow these tips from the RNLI for staying safe on the Welsh coast.
• Visit AdventureSmart.uk for further information on how to stay safe whilst exploring Wales.