Visiting for May half-term (25–29 May 2026)? See our Pembrokeshire May Half-Term 2026 family guide for what to do all week, plus use code HALFTERM for 5% off any session.

TripAdvisor #1 in Tenby
Travellers’ Choice Award 7 yrs running
30,000 people guided safely
AALA Licensed
Family sessions Apr–Oct

For parents who want the holiday their kids actually remember

Family Adventures in Pembrokeshire

The holiday your kids will talk about all year. The holiday that makes them drop their phones, finally ask how the tide works, and come home with a story they actually want to tell. Coasteering, sea kayaking, and rock climbing on the Pembrokeshire coast — built for families, run by guides who take your kids’ safety as seriously as their own.

Why Families Choose Tenby Adventure

Small groups, tailored to you — sessions are shared with a handful of other bookings, but we brief and guide to match the ages and confidence of your family.
Coasteering from age 8, kayaking from age 6, climbing from age 10 — our activities work for families with a wide age range, and our youngest paddlers can use a tandem kayak with a parent.
30,000+ people guided safely over more than a decade of running adventures on the Pembrokeshire coast.
AALA Licensed (Adventure Activities Licensing Authority) — the statutory standard for high-risk activities involving young people in the UK.
All equipment included — wetsuits, buoyancy aids, helmets, boots.
Seven-year TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice winner, currently #1 of all activities in Tenby.
Risk-led planning, not just instinct. Our safety planning uses formal risk-analysis methodology — our founder Mark holds a Masters in Systems Thinking specialising in Risk Analysis.
Highly qualified guide team. Our instructors hold qualifications including Winter Mountaineering & Climbing Instructor (WMCI), British Canoeing 5-Star Advanced Sea Kayak Leader, National Coasteering Charter Coasteering Guide, Beach Lifeguard, Wilderness/Outdoor First Aid, and Surf Instructor.

The Activities

Coasteering (ages 8+) — The one the kids will beg for

Swim through sea caves. Jump off rocks. Scramble along cliff faces. All the things parents usually say no to at the beach — but done safely, with guides, in properly-fitted kit. 2.5 hours.
Adults £55 · Kids £45 · Group rates on application
→ Coasteering details

Sea Kayaking (ages 6+) — For the calmer adventurers

Double kayaks so younger kids paddle with a parent. Explore sea caves, watch seals, paddle past Tenby’s medieval castle. Great for families who want the adventure without the adrenaline hit — and suitable for kids as young as six.
Adults £55 · Kids £45 · Group rates on application
→ Sea kayaking details

Rock Climbing (ages 10+) — The quiet confidence builder

Private sessions on Pembrokeshire limestone — everything from first-timer friendly top-ropes to short traditional routes. Great for kids who want a challenge they can progress on.
From £220 for up to 4 people · Larger group rates on application
→ Rock climbing details

Build Your Family Tenby Adventure

Tenby is one of the few UK destinations where families can pair real outdoor adventure with a proper coastal town day-out. The half-day, weekend and week-long itineraries below combine sessions with us with the best of what Pembrokeshire offers around us — from seal-watching to coastal walks to lunches with a view.

Half-day

Morning: Family Coasteering with us at Lydstep
Lunch: Bubbleton Farm Shop & Café (see our Places to Eat guide)

Weekend

Sat AM: Seal Safari with Tenby Boat Trips
Sat PM: Family Coasteering at Lydstep with us
Sun AM: Family Sea Kayaking with us
Sun PM: Lunch at the Castle Inn, Manorbier, then a walk on Manorbier Beach

Full week

Mon: Family Rock Climbing with us
Tue: Day trip to Caldey Island
Wed: Family Coasteering with us
Thu: Walk Bosherston Lily Ponds to Stackpole, lunch at the Boathouse Tearoom
Fri: Family Sea Kayaking with us

Is It Actually Safe?

Short answer: yes. Long answer: we wrote a whole post about it, aimed at exactly the question every parent has before booking.

All guides hold NGB-level qualifications, carry public liability insurance, and carry out dynamic risk assessments on every session. We pick conditions to match the group — a family with a nervous 8-year-old doesn’t get the same jumps as a group of 14-year-olds. Parents can request documentation in advance.

Planning Your Family Adventure

Best time to come: May–September (sea temperatures manageable; school holidays work)
What to bring: Swimwear, towel, trainers you don’t mind getting wet
What we provide: Wetsuit, helmet, buoyancy aid, boots
Where we meet: Near or in Tenby — we’ll send detailed directions when you book
Accommodation: Best places to stay in Tenby · where to eat afterwards

What Families Say

“These guys paced it just right. Super assuring, well organised, fun and great with the kids.”
— scotiegirl, family of 4 (ages 10 and 12), April 2025

“Charles encouraged us all the way and gave us options depending on how brave we were feeling.”
— H B, family of four (ages 12–51), April 2025

“Myrddin was a brilliantly calm instructor who even managed to persuade me to step off the cliff.”
— Clare G, family with sons aged 8 and 10, August 2024

(All quotes from TripAdvisor — link to full reviews)

Family Adventure FAQs

What’s the minimum age for family coasteering at Tenby Adventure?

Family coasteering sessions at Tenby Adventure are suitable for children aged 8 and over. Sea kayaking accepts children from age 6, and rock climbing from age 10. Younger children sometimes suit sea kayaking, where the activity can be paced to suit them and they can use a double kayak with a parent. All sessions run with expert guides who adapt the experience to each group.

Does my child need to be a strong swimmer to coasteer?

Children need to be reasonably confident swimmers for family coasteering at Tenby Adventure, able to confidently swim 25m in the sea. Our guides assess each child and we’ll adapt the route to suit their ability.

What if the weather turns during a family session?

Tenby Adventure runs sessions in most British weather, including light rain — wetsuits keep everyone warm. We monitor multiple forecast models and usually know well in advance if there might be issues, in which case we’ll be in touch to reschedule or refund. On the day, if conditions are worse than expected our guides will make the final decision and refund or reschedule to suit you. This doesn’t happen often.

Can grandparents and non-participating family come and watch?

Most coasteering and kayaking sessions are accessible from the shore or coast path, so non-participating family members can usually watch from a safe vantage point. Parking and access varies by location — Lydstep is the most spectator-friendly site. Let us know in advance and we’ll suggest the best viewing spots for your group.

What should my child wear for coasteering or kayaking?

Tenby Adventure provides wetsuits, buoyancy aids and helmets. Children need to bring sturdy trainers or secure, substantial beach shoes (not flip-flops, crocs or open sandals), a swimming costume to wear under the wetsuit, and a towel and warm change of clothes for afterwards.

How long is a family adventure session?

A typical family coasteering, kayaking or climbing session at Tenby Adventure runs for around 2 to 2.5 hours of activity time, plus 20–30 minutes for kit-up and debrief. Plan around three hours from arrival to leaving. Family sessions can be paced more gently than adult sessions, with breaks built in for younger children.

When is the best month for a family adventure in Pembrokeshire?

May, June and September are the sweet spot for family adventures in Pembrokeshire. The water is warm enough for comfortable coasteering, the coast is less crowded than peak July–August, and accommodation is more affordable. Family sessions run from April to October, with peak summer dates booking out weeks in advance.

Can siblings of different ages do the same activity together?

Both coasteering and kayaking are flexible activities for mixed-age siblings — children from age 6 upwards can join kayaking, and tandem kayaks let younger children paddle with a parent. For coasteering, all participants need to be 8 or older. If you have one child below the minimum age, contact us directly and we’ll suggest the best fit for your family.

Looking for other water activities?

We focus on coasteering, sea kayaking and rock climbing — but if your family wants to add stand-up paddleboarding, surfing or snorkelling to your Pembrokeshire trip, our sister site Pembrokeshire Adventure books these with trusted local operators: