Castaway Blog
Things to do in Tenby - by Nicky.
With a thirst for the beautiful Pembrokeshire coastline, I am going to start by recommending that you visit some stunning local beaches, but before I do take a look at one of our Offshore Adventures' episodes of the Pembrokeshire coastline from the water and seals at Skomer Island...
The old Lifeboat House
This iconic building once housed the Tenby Lifeboat and is now a privately owned home. The conversion into a home was filmed on the Grand Designs TV programme.
The Coastline
Explore the Pembrokeshire coastline and discover its spectacular beaches, coast path and stunning scenery.
For more information about Tenby and the surrounding area, see our Airbnb Guidebook.
Sandy Beaches
There are many beautiful beaches in and around Tenby to choose from. Click on the links to find out more.
Swimming
There are many beaches suitable for bathing and swimming with Lifeguards on duty. Explore the links to find out more.
Activities
There are many activity parks in and around Tenby, explore the links to find out more.
Fun for All
Activities for all age groups can be found in Pembrokeshire. Click on the links to find out more.
North Beach
North Beach
North Beach, is set against the town's picturesque harbour and is framed by the iconic colourful town houses that feature in many paintings and pictures. For parking, head to the North Beach car-park in Tenby. The sandy beach is accessible to all and the bay offers a great place to swim! Goscar Rock, in the centre of the beach, adds to its beauty and provides entertainment for those who like to paddle and swim around it and climb on it.
North Beach Watersports
The beach houses a company who specialise in watersports, including jet skiing, kayaking, rib rides, towed watersports and motorboat hire. For more information, take a look at Tenby Watersports.
North Beach,Tenby
North Beach on a warm sunny day! The bay is popular with swimmers who like to go the extra distance across the sheltered bay and train for many of the local swimming competitions.
View of the harbour
Here, North Beach is surrounded by the beautiful pastel shades of Tenby's town houses and harbour. Blue Flag Beach 2016 and Seaside Award (Resort) 2016.
Harbour Beach
Harbour Beach, Tenby
Harbour Beach is situated in between North Beach and Castle Beach and is accessible from the town centre. The sandy beach is popular with young families and children who like to paddle and swim in the bay. It's also a great place to sit and watch the boats come in and out of the harbour.
The Harbour, Tenby
The harbour has a lovely cafe built into the harbour wall, which gets good reviews on Tripadvisor. For more information, take a look at The Stowaway Cafe Co.
There is also a wonderful company that sell freshly caught seafood on the harbour and has good reviews on Tripadvisor. For more information take a look at Simply Seafoods.
Harbour Beach, Tenby
Harbour beach is popular with young families in the summer! It's a fabulous place to take a stroll and take a closer look at the harbour.
The Harbour, Tenby
Pretty view of the boats and houses that surround the harbour. Here, you can book and take sea safaris, boat trips, cruises and boat trips to Caldey Island. For more information, take a look at Tenby Boat Trips.
Castle Beach
Castle Beach, Tenby
Castle Beach is situated in between Harbour Beach and South Beach and is accessible from the town centre. This beautiful sandy cove looks out onto St. Catherine's Island. At low tide, it's possible to walk out to St. Catherine's Island and explore the many rock pools around the cliffs.
St. Catherine's Island, Tenby
St. Catherine's Island was once the home of a chapel, Napoleonic fort, private residence and a zoo! For more information, take a look at St. Catherine's Island.
Alongside the beach slipway is a café, deck chair rental and toilets. A variety of boat trips run from the beach at low tide. For more information about boat trips, take a look at Tenby Boat trips.
Castle Beach, Tenby
Blue Flag Beach 2016 and Seaside Award (Resort) 2016. The excellent water quality makes it a great place for swimming and canoeing.
St Catherine's Island
My two daughters had a fantastic experience coasteering in and around the caves and cliffs of St Catherine's Island. For more details take a look at Tenby Coasteering.
South Beach
South Beach, Tenby
South Beach is situated south of Castle Beach and is accessible from the south side of the town centre. The mile long stretch of golden sand offers lots of space for beach goers and those who like to play cricket or football. It is also a favoured spot for surfers and sea anglers.
South Beach Amenities
Tenby South Beach has a range of amenities like toilets and a car park, plus there is easy disabled access. There are also food options close to the beach with a couple of cafes and restaurants.
The area closest to Tenby town is the most popular part of the beach but if you walk a little further along towards the east end you will be able to find a less crowded spot.
South Beach, Tenby
Tenby South Beach is adjacent to the Pembrokeshire Coast Path and the Wales Coast Path. Sand dunes run the entire length of the beach and at low tide it joins up with Castle beach.
View of Caldey Island
As you look out from Tenby South Beach you will see Caldey Island in the distance.
Caldey Island
Caldey Island, Tenby
Caldey Island lies cradled in the magnificent South Pembrokeshire coastline on the western fringes of Wales. It is one of Britain's holy islands.
The Cistercian monks of Caldey continue a tradition which began there in Celtic times. More than a thousand years of prayer and quiet living have made this remote and beautiful island a haven of tranquility and peace.
Getting to Caldey Island
The monks and islanders are pleased to welcome day-visitors to share the delights of their island home throughout the summer season. You can book a boat trip from Tenby Harbour to get to Caldey. The boats run regularly throughout the day.
The Monks
Monks first came to Caldey in the 6th Century. Pyro, the first abbot is remembered in the island's Welsh name, Ynys Byr.
Caldey Island
Caldey Island offers beautiful walks, a chocolate factory, gift shop, post office, cafe and you can visit St David's Church. The Monastery is private, but you can view its magnificant architecture from the outside.
Barafundle Bay
Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire
Barafundle Bay is part of the National Trust's (NT) Stackpole Estate, and is often regarded as Pembrokeshire's best beach. The nearest parking is at an attended NT car park at Stackpole Quay, from where access to Barafandle is a comfortable half mile walk.
The bay is approximately 300 yards wide, and consists of sand backed by low dunes and flanked by limestone cliffs. It's very sheltered, and a good place for sunbathing, swimming and exploring.
Kayaking from Stackpole Quay to Barafundle Bay
We have launched our kayak at Stackpole Quay and enjoyed a fantastic paddle in and out of caves towards Barafundle Bay. I thoroughly recommend this route on a calm sunny day!
Barafundle Bay
You will notice that the colour of the water here is a stunning turquoise and the beach is just so picturesque.
Kayaking
There are wonderful caves, stacks and rocks to explore by kayak or paddle board between Stackpole Quay and Barafundle Bay.
Folly Farm
Folly Farm, Pembrokeshire
At Folly Farm you can visit over 750 animals and get up close to furry and feathery farmyard friends in their barn. Choose from 17 different rides in Folly Farm's vintage fairground, or enjoy their eight adventure play areas. They have 120 acres of fun so there really is something for everyone!
Ever wanted to see lions, rhinos, giraffes or penguins up close? At Folly Farm, you’ll find a world-class zoo with over 90 different species. All in the heart of the Pembrokeshire countryside.
Fun for all ages whatever the weather!
There is indoor and outdoor fun to be had at Folly Farm so a great place to visit on rainy days too!
The Barn at Folly Farm
Try out the petting farm in the Jolly Barn, where even the smallest children can see and touch some of their best-loved animals.
Enclosures
At Folly Farm, you’ll see many animals you’re unlikely to find anywhere else. Some are in danger of becoming extinct, and they look after them in award-winning enclosures, designed to give them the best living conditions.
Heatherton World of Activities
Heatherton World of Activities, Pembrokeshire
At Heatherton you can experience a whole world of amazing indoor and outdoor activities for all ages, from family fun to adrenaline-pumping Pembrokeshire adventures.
Whether you love the thrill of speeding round a go kart track, the adrenaline rush of a high ropes trail, the mental challenge of Escape Rooms or the fun of an ENTIRE zone dedicated to play, they have it ALL and more at Heatherton!
The Activity Zones
With four fantastic Activity Zones to explore, Heatherton offer a great day out in Pembrokeshire for the WHOLE family....even the dog!
The Zones
Experience the family Fun Zone, Adrenaline Zone, Play Zone and Golf and Bowls Zone!
High Ropes Courses
Heatherton's challenging Tree Tops Trail offers four high ropes adventure courses, leading you swinging through the trees at heights of up to 40 feet!
Dinosaur Park
The Dinosaur Park, Tenby, Pembrokeshire
At The Dinosaur Park there are hours of great value family fun (and fear) waiting for you, lurking around every corner...
And you thought the age of dinosaurs had come to an end? 65 million years ago? A meteor, or so you heard? Well, think again! Think 'Wales'! Think 'Pembrokeshire'!
Take a walk on the wild side
Go on - be brave take a walk on the wild side and experience the Dinosaur Trail in the woods!
Activities
The Dinosaur Park offers rides, activities, indoor and outdoor playgrounds, a dinosaur trail, a cafe & shop and much more!
Dinosaur Trail
Rumours are rife that somewhere deep inside lurk over 30 dinosaurs including a Brachiosaurus, as heavy as ten elephants, and a Stegosaurus with her baby.
Oakwood Theme Park
Oakwood Theme Park, Pembrokeshire
Based in the heart of Pembrokeshire, South Wales, Oakwood boasts fun for the whole family – toddler friendly rides, fast thrills and spills (including the UK’s favourite wooden roller coaster – Megafobia) and spooky Halloween events.
Whether it’s an adrenaline-fuelled experience or a magical adventure, Oakwood Theme Park has thrills for all.
Wales' Biggest Theme Park
Looking for a theme park for toddlers, children, teens and adults? At Oakwood there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Family Adventures
Explore the wonderful world of Neverland, with themed rides and indoor soft play area.
Rollercoasters
Brace yourselves thrill seekers!
Manor Wildlife Park
Manor Wildlife Park, Tenby, Pembrokeshire
Wales’s only walking safari, Manor Wildlife Park plays host to exotic and endangered animals from across the globe! The park’s innovative walkthrough exhibits allow visitors to come face to face with many of it’s animals.
Take a look at one of Castaway Adventures' episodes that takes you on a tour of Manor Wildlife Park...
Activities
It’s not just the animals that make the park an unforgettable day out, with a giant bouncy castle, indoor play and café serving handmade pizzas, Manor Wildlife Park certainly has something for everyone.
Family Fun
Manor Wildlife Park has plenty of fun activities for the kids, including hay play, face paint, a climbing wall and a giant indoor play area, featuring a bouncy castle.
Meet the animals
Enjoy your very own mini safari-style experience at the Lemur and Wallaby walk-through areas. Meet the lovely gibbon family at the Valley of the Apes and much more!