Kayaking, canoeing and rafting

Wales has some of the finest canoeing, kayaking and rafting in the world, with locations and activities to suit all the family. From wildlife adventures, to coastal trips, it’s all here.

Pembrokeshire: There aren’t many places in the world better for kayaking than the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. St David’s Peninsula and St Govans Head are popular thanks to their intricate coastline, while Ramsey, Skomer and Skokholm islands bring you face to face with amazing seabirds.

Gower: This part of South Wales looks even better from the sea than it does from land, and a kayak is a brilliant way to explore its coastline. Head out from Oxwich Bay and explore the crystal-clear waters and rocky shore, or take in Langland and Caswell after heading out from the Mumbles.

Anglesey: From The Stacks on Holy Island to the stunning scenery of Llanddwyn Island and Rhoscolyn Head, Anglesey is one of the finest places in Wales to try out kayaking. It's most suitable for guided trips or experts, but a must to see 500ft cliffs, close encounters with seals and birdlife and bays to paddle into.

Snowdonia: Kayaking in Wales doesn’t always mean getting out onto the sea, and the Llynnau Mymbyr, in the shadow of Snowdon, proves that. Traverse across two lakes to get stunning views of Moel Siabod and the Snowdon horseshoe. Families should try Llyn Padarn or Bala. For whitewater, head to the latter for the National White Water Centre.

River Wye: Another inland option is the River Wye. Hire a canoe at Glasbury and follow the placid river downstream to the famous book town of Hay-on-Wye. If a bit more adrenaline is in order, the Black Mountains Activity Centre in Three Cocks is the place for you. The nearby Hell Hole is not for the faint-hearted!

The Dee Valley: Canoeing over the Pontycysyllte Aqueduct or hitting the rapids at Llangollen, the Dee Valley has it all. The Serpents Tail, and sections on the River Dee are a match for white-water rafting anywhere, while canoeing legend Ray Goodwin has described the aqueduct as “one of the best canoe paddles in the world.”

Cardiff Bay: Last but not least is the Cardiff International White Water centre. It’s an entirely man-made facility in Cardiff Bay that boasts an intense 254m run, perfect for adrenaline-filled rafting, kayaking and canoeing alike.

Surfing, windsurfing, wakeboarding and paddleboarding

Perfect sandy coves, clean water and swells rolling in from the Atlantic makes Wales a surfing paradise. Beginners will find surf schools in a number of places to get them upright on the board, while the more experienced will find new challenges across the country.

Gower: Think surfing in Gower, think Llangennith. There's the stunning sweep of Rhossili Bay, a thriving surf school, Atlantic swells perfect for beginners and experts – and it’s great for kitesurfing. Surfers also regularly flock to Langland and Caswell too. If windsurfing or paddleboarding are more up your street, you’re in the right place, with a mix of sheltered and exposed beaches making it perfect for experts and those just starting out.

Pembrokeshire: Jutting out into the Atlantic, many of Pembrokeshire’s beaches are perfectly positioned to capture the big rollers sweeping in from the west. Whitesands, Manorbier, Newgale and Freshwater West are among the beaches best known for their surf, while St Bride’s Bay is a perfectly sheltered spot for beginners. On the kitesurfing front, it’s a toss-up between Freshwater West and Newgale, while Tenby is perfect for windsurfing.

Llyn Peninsula: The presence of Ireland in the way means the Llyn doesn’t get breaks that are as ferocious as those found further south when the surf’s really up. But that’s great news for those learning the ropes. Porth Neigwl is a sandy cove that’s perfect for beginners, while nearby Traeth Penllech is a great alternative if things are a bit rough.

Porthcawl and Llantwit Major: The best surf break near to Cardiff, the waves at Llantwit Major come with the stunning cliff scenery of the Glamorgan Heritage Coast. It’s not ideal for beginners due to the strong rip tide, but experienced surfers will enjoy decent right and left hand points. Rest Bay is Porthcawl’s best option, with its well-known surf school, but you’ll find more sheltered breaks at Coney Beach. If you’re into kitesurfing, it’s a different matter, with its mix of waves, sandy spaces and multiple wind directions. It’s a great spot for windsurfing too.

Coasteering

A real booming area of seaside adventure tourism for Wales, coasteering involves making your way along a stretch of coastline through a mixture of scrambling, swimming and jumping. It’s a brilliant way to explore otherwise inaccessible stretches of shore, and you’re more than likely to get close to some amazing wildlife.

Pembrokeshire: If there’s such a thing as a spiritual home of Welsh coasteering, Abereiddy is surely it. A sheltered but stunning coastline means plenty of opportunities to take to water. Its population of friendly seals are known to might make an appearance, plus there's the famous Blue Lagoon. At nearby South St David’s Head are amazing cliff jumps and caves to explore, while at Stackpole South has a rocky coastline towards Barafundle Bay - one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Anglesey: The largest sea cave in Wales, but that’s far from the only attraction you’ll find during a day coasteering on Holy Island. The otherwise inaccessible sea cliffs are dramatic, while there are hidden beaches to visit and soaring cliffs to jump off along one of the nation’s most unspoilt coastlines.

Llyn Peninsula: Two spots on the Llyn jump out at you as far as coasteering’s concerned: Morfa Nefyn and Abersoch. Features of the former include caves, seals, and low cliffs that make it accessible to all. Abersoch, on the other hand, has more surf, making for a wilder experience.

Gower: Despite its popularity with visitors, Gower remains relatively undiscovered as a coasteering destination. Spend a day jumping into the crystal clear waters around the beautiful Three Cliffs Bay and you’ll find that fact even more remarkable than you did before.

Ogmore: Another one of Wales’ less well-known coasteering spots, but the buzz of traversing the rocky coastline between Ogmore-by-Sea and Southerndown is no less thrilling than in any of the more established spots.

Diving

Wales’ clear waters, dramatic coastline, off-shore islands and position in the gulf stream make it a great place for diving. Explore spectacular wrecks, amazing rock formations and all sorts of sea life in dives that’ll vary from beginner level to advanced.

Anglesey: Two sites in Anglesey really stand apart for scuba diving, with the first being the wreck of the SS Missouri. The ship ran aground in Porth Dafarch in 1880, and now serves as a habitat for lobsters, wrasse and pollock. Much of the structure is still there to be explored, and its 13m depth, sandy shore and relatively light currents make it a safe way into wreck diving. The second spot is Rhoscolyn Beacon, where the reef drops to a depth of 18m either side of the remarkable pepperpot-shaped beacon itself. A current of up to three knots makes this a great place for drift dives.

Pembrokeshire: With nearly 200 miles of protected coastline to choose from, you really are spoilt for choice in Pembrokeshire. Skomer is a favourite, as you’ll encounter an amazing array of sealife, seals, and the wreck of the ship Lucy. Hen and Chicks, off Little Haven, is less well-known but offers amazing visibility, good protection from currents and eye-popping formations. Meanwhile St Brides Haven Beach is a perfect introduction to diving. You’ll go into the sea from a white sandy beach fringed by a kelp forest that’s well-populated with lobsters, crabs, wrasse, pollack and dog fish.