Caldey Island Sea Kayaking 27-29th Jun

What to expect

Caldey Island is a small, beautiful island off the South Pembrokeshire coast, near the popular resort of Tenby. Inhabited since the Stone Age, Caldey is now home to Cistercian monks and a small community. The Island and surrounding waters host an array of birdlife and seals, along with stunning caves, rock formations, tidal currents and eddies. The south side of the island is more exposed than the north side, and can be quite challenging in strong wind or swell. Each day will be a self-contained trip. On the first day we will go through some basic trip planning before heading out onto the water on a journey to develop your sea kayaking skills in preparation for the circumnavigation. The next two days provide a window to pick the best conditions for the circumnavigation, and to explore more of the stunning nearby coastline and its many features. Please note that we are not permitted to land on Caldey Island itself. This weekend is designed for paddlers with some previous kayaking experience (ideally on the sea or whitewater) and is not suitable for beginners. This is an ideal trip for improver/intermediate kayakers looking to do their first island crossing or circumnavigation, or working towards their Sea Kayak Award or Sea Kayak Leader Award. You must be comfortable capsizing, although you do not need to be able to self-rescue or roll. At the upper end, we might paddle in wind of 18mph, swell or surf height around 1m, and currents of 2 knots (i.e. ‘moderate’ water). We will also have to cross the Caldey Sound to reach Caldey Island, although we will choose the easiest time to do this. If you are not sure whether this trip is right for you, please call us for a chat before booking! We will provide you with a sea kayak, paddle, spray deck, buoyancy aid, helmet, cag, and a dry bag. You must provide your own clothing and footwear, snacks, drinks and packed lunches. You are welcome to use your own sea kayak and equipment provided it is seaworthy. This trip is non-residential but there are many accommodation options in Tenby and the surrounding area. We will notify you of the meeting location for Day 1 at least 24 hours before hand, and there will be a WhatsApp group for communication and sharing photos.