Come with us on a The Marine Diaries’ Adventure to Pembrokeshire’s offshore and island habitats!

What’s included?

  • Full catered accommodation for 2 nights, 3 days (inc. 3 meals per day and hot drinks).

  • Full boat day in the Celtic Deep.

  • Half boat day exploring the islands of Skomer and Skokholm.

  • Afternoon beach-based snorkel and swim test.

  • 2 expert guides from Celtic Deep.

  • Educational seminar from The Marine Diaries.

  • Sustainable rum and firepits from Aluna Coconut for beach stargazing.

  • Optional activities - including beach clean and egg case hunt, early morning sea swim, and local hike.

  • Poor weather alternatives (e.g. coasteering, surfing, sailing, sea kayaking).

For full details see the brochure below.

Trip Description

Head into history - above and below the water! Just offshore of the Welsh coastline lies a part of the United Kingdom where time stands still. Visit uninhabited (by humans) islands, snorkel in sheltered bays, and dive into the deep looking for blue sharks.

The rugged coastline of Pembrokeshire is home to a National Park and more Blue Flag beaches than any other county in the UK. You may even have to share a stretch of sand or rocky shore with one of the 5,000 Atlantic grey seals that call these waters home!

The nutrient-rich waters flowing in from the Atlantic create a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This deep water area, also known as the Celtic Deep, is home to whales, dolphins, sunfish, and the curious blue shark. If your purpose is porpoises look no further than a day-long boat trip filled with possible porpoise, dolphin, shark, and whale sightings. Even bluefin tuna make regular appearances at certain times of the year! Once offshore, the engine will switch off and you’ll become part of a drifting pelagic platform, floating in a sea of endless possibilities… Any sharks spotted will contribute to Shark Trust's 'Great Shark Snapshot Week' - so be sure to bring your cameras! Warm up whilst listening to a marine biologist lecture, before heading to a local pub and enjoying the beach at night.

You’ll also spend some time stealthily snorkelling with seals and puffins in seagrass and kelp ecosystems. Cruise around the islands of Skomer and Skokholm birdwatching. Spend some time in the boat counting sand eels in puffin beaks - these adorable birds can hold up to 100 of these squirmy delicacies at once! After a day filled with ocean life, give back to the ocean by joining a beach clean and hunting for shark egg cases.

TRIP OVERVIEW

  • Dates: 29 - 31 July

  • Duration: 3 Days / 2 Nights

  • Location: Dale, Pembrokeshire, Wales

  • Activities: Wildlife spotting in the Celtic Deep, snorkelling with puffins & seals, educational talk by The Marine Diaries, and beach clean.

  • Wildlife: Blue sharks, whales, dolphins, sunfish, seals, and seabirds.

  • Places: Only 9 spots available!

  • Diving certification requirements: None, this trip is snorkel only. You must be a competent swimmer to participate.

 

Important Booking Information

Please note that on booking you must fill out the following forms:

Any questions about the trip or your booking? Just get in touch.

 

Trip FAQs

    • Accommodation.

    • Full board - 3 meals per day and hot drinks.

    • 2 hour snorkel and swim test.

    • Full day boat trip in the Celtic Deep.

    • Skomer and Skokholm boat trip.

    • 2 Celtic Deep guides on both trips.

    • 1 half-day poor weather activity, if required (e.g. coasteering, surfing, sailing, sea kayaking).

    • Talk by The Marine Diaries.

    • Snorkel equipment - can be rented at a special rate of £50 for the whole weekend.

    • Travel costs, including car parking.

    • Visa requirements.

    • Personal insurance.

    • Extra food & drink - Snacks, Meal out at a local restaurant (optional), Food & drink for beach evening (optional), Any drinks purchased at Dale Fort.

    • Personal spending money and gratuities.

  • Celtic Deep stocks a small quantity of rental equipment which is available on a first-come-first-serve basis. Full rental for the whole weekend is being offered at the discounted rate of £50. In order to request rental equipment you must fill out this form after booking.

    If you have some of your own equipment, please see Celtic Deep’s individual equipment rates.

  • If Celtic Deep is unable to operate or if you’re unable to travel due to COVID travel restrictions or because you are required to self-isolate, you will have the option of a full refund.

    If Celtic Deep has to cancel the boat trips due to adverse weather conditions, you have the option of a full refund.

    Please note, in the unlikely event that no wildlife is spotted on the trip, you will not receive a refund.

  • If you have your own snorkel equipment, we recommend you bring it! You’ll need a minimum of a 5-7mm full-length wetsuit, hood, gloves, mask, snorkel, fins, and socks to wear with fins. These should be black or dark coloured as blue sharks are very attracted to bright colours. You will also need a weight belt with approx 4kg of weight.

    On the boat, bring a warm coat or dry robe to get warm after being in the water and protect you from wind chill. In addition, a change of clothes, factor 50 sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, and a reusable water bottle.

    Please also bring a facemask or a buff to comply with Celtic Deep’s social distancing measures.

  • We welcome anyone who wants to get their feet wet - whether you're an experienced explorer, diver, freediver, or photographer, or just at the beginning of your ocean journey.

    You must be over 18 and a competent swimmer for safety reasons - we will be in open water 35 miles offshore. However, there is no pressure to get in the water. You can spend the day on the boat and still see all the action!

    You cannot join this trip if you are pregnant. Celtic Deep cannot cover liability for you and your baby's health while on a trip with us.

    If you have accessibility requirements, please get in touch before booking and we will do our best to accommodate you.

  • Catering at Dale Fort includes freshly prepared seasonal meals; with a hot breakfast, packed lunch and choice of evening meal. Food is sourced locally wherever possible. Hot drinks are available at Dale Fort and whilst onboard with Celtic Deep.

    On day 1, the first meal provided will be your evening meal and on day 3 the last meal provided will be lunch.

    Dale Fort can cater to all dietary needs. Just let us know while you’re making your booking.

  • You will be staying in Dale Fort. The Marine Diaries will do our best to facilitate ride sharing between guests and Celtic Deep can offer transport to boat launch/snorkel points if needed.

    Travelling by car

    Use Dale Fort FSC, Dale, Haverfordwest SA62 3RD in your maps or satnav. Once in Dale, there is a turning to the left sign-posted ‘Field Studies Centre.’ Dale Fort is located at the end of the lane. Please drive carefully, as the lane is very narrow with only a few passing places.

    Dale Fort has free parking, and there is a public car park in Dale which charges £5 per day for a car or £10 per day for a van.

    Travelling by train

    The closest train station is Milford Haven. You will then need to make your way by taxi to Dale Fort. All local taxi firms are found by googling: “Milford Haven taxi firms”. The launch point for the boat trips is just a short 20 minute walk along the coast from Dale Fort.

  • Visa requirements depend on your country of origin. Please check any visa requirements on the UK Government’s website.

  • You will get up close and personal with some unique ocean wildlife, including potentially puffins, seals, blue sharks, and dolphins. There will be opportunities to get in the water with these animals.

    There will be a maximum of 9 guests on the trip, along with The Marine Diaries’ Director, 2 Celtic Deep guides and the skipper. At any one time, a maximum of 4 guests will be in water with a guide. We’ll rotate in groups to minimise impact and ensure everyone gets to experience the wildlife.

    Blue sharks and seals are naturally curious creatures, but Celtic Deep has an ingenious way for you to con puffins. Using decoys attached to your head, you’ll be able to get closer to nature in a a fun, friendly, but most importantly, noninvasive, way.

    Celtic Deep have strict codes of conduct to ensure eco-conscious wildlife encounters.