Places to go

There are so many places to go around Wales to enjoy our stunning coastline and rich seas. We’ve brought together some of the highlights of great places to go…

Key:

WTSWW – Wildlife Trusts of South and West Wales

NWWT – North Wales Wildlife Trust

RSPB – Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

NT – National Trust

CCW – Countryside Council for Wales

VC – Visitors Centre

A – Accessible: Wheelchair and pushchair friendly

1. Newport Wetlands National Nature Reserve - Enjoy spectacular views of the Severn estuary all year round. Home to several bird species including curlew, pintail, redshank, dunlin and oystercatcher. This reserve is owned by the Countryside Council for Wales and the visitor and education centre is managed by the RSPB. VC, RSPB, CCW, A

2. Flat Holm Island – Just five miles from Cardiff, Flat Holm is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Local Nature Reserve. The Flat Holm project aims to conserve the Island's natural and cultural features, which range from maritime grasslands to Victorian barracks, a gull colony to wartime bunkers. Boat trips are available for day and overnight visitors.

3. The Glamorgan Heritage Coast – Stretching for 14 miles along the South Wales coastline from Aberthaw to Porthcawl, the Glamorgan Heritage Coast displays a breathtaking array of beaches, cliffs and dunes. Visit Southerndown beach at low tide and you will see extensive rockpools filled with crabs, anemones, sea slugs and seaweeds, including the unusual honeycomb worm. As you walk along the coastline, keep your eyes-peeled for the fossils which have slowly eroded from the cliffline. The Visitor Centre at Dunraven Bay provides information about the history, flora and fauna of the area. VC

4. Worms Head – At the most westerly tip of Gower, this island is approximately one mile long and is linked to the mainland by a tidal causeway, open two hours either side of low water. Always check the tidetables or online with Coastwatch before you make the crossing. Keep an eye out for passing dolphins, porpoise and seabirds such as kittiwake. Nearby Rhossili Bay, most of which is owned by the National Trust, was voted the best UK beach in 2010.

5. Pembrokeshire Coastal National Park - Pembrokeshire is home to the only coastal National Park in the UK, covering 240 square miles of south-west Wales. As well as supporting a diverse range of species year round, basking sharks, orcas, blue whales, and turtles return to Pembrokeshire waters each year. In the south of the National Park, the beautiful beach of Barafundle has been voted one of the 12 best beaches in the world! The right side of the bay is a great spot for snorkelling, while the cliffs along this stunning stretch of coastline are important for breeding populations of seabirds. NT

6. Skomer & Skokholm Islands – Skomer Island is surrounded by Skomer Marine Nature Reserve, which is the first and only marine nature reserve in Wales affording a special level of protection to a dazzling array of species. Over 1,400 species have been recorded at this popular diving site. Atlantic grey seals can be seen in the waters around the islands throughout the year, including pups in the autumn, and you may be lucky to catch a glimpse of a harbour porpoise or even a common dolphin. Surrounded by the MNR, Skomer Island National Nature Reserve is home to thousands of Manx shearwaters and puffins, and is teeming with other amazing wildlife. You can visit for the day; stay overnight or volunteer for a week. CCW, WTSWW

7. Ramsey Island - This dramatic offshore island has cliffs up to 120 metres high that provide the perfect place for breeding seabirds in spring and early summer. Watch out for guillemots, razorbills and kittiwake, and feeding porpoise near the spectacular tidal rapids. If you visit during the autumn, you can watch the largest colony of breeding Atlantic grey seals in the Irish Sea. RSPB

8. Grassholm - This remote offshore island supports over 39,000 pairs of breeding northern gannets, and is the third largest Atlantic gannet colony in the world (behind St Kilda and Bass Rock). An outstanding seabird spectacle, the waters surrounding Grassholm regularly host harbour porpoise, dolphins and even the occasional whale. RSPB

9. Strumble Head – This is a great place to watch seabirds, particularly the hundreds of Manx Shearwater that pass by in the early evening during the summer months on their way back to the Pembrokeshire Islands. An old wartime lookout post has been converted into a shelter for public use, providing an excellent vantage for cetacean spotting.

10. New Quay Harbour & Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre - New Quay is a fantastic place to spot wildlife, including bottlenose dolphins, seabirds nesting on the cliffs during the spring and Atlantic grey seals year round. The Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre based in New Quay, is a public information, education and research centre dedicated to raising awareness of the marine environment. VC, A

11. Dyfi - The outstanding stretch of coastline between Borth and Aberdyfi which makes up the Dyfi National Nature Reserve comprises of the Dyfi Estuary, an internationally important feeding ground for thousands of wading birds, the beach and sand dunes of Ynyslas, which provide a home to many rare coastal species, and Cors Fochno or Borth bog, an internationally important peat bog on the estuary floodplain. The Wildlife Trust Dyfi Osprey Project at the Cors Dyfi reserve is also worth a visit – at Easter 2011, it was revealed that for the first time in 400 years, ospreys have started breeding again in the Dyfi valley!

12. Mawddach Estuary – A scenic jewel in the south of Snowdonia National Park, a walk or cycle along the Morfa Mawddach Trail between Barmouth and Dolgellau offers dramatic views of this beautiful estuary. Crossing the Abermaw Bridge provides a unique opportunity to see the many estuarine habitats up close, including extensive sandbanks and species rich saltmarsh, framed by an impressive mountain backdrop.

13. Bardsey Island (Ynys Enlli) - Famous for its population of Manx shearwaters and for the Atlantic grey seals which breed on the island. Risso’s dolphins and harbour porpoises can also be spotted around the island.

14. Porth Dinllaen – This sheltered bay on the north side of Llŷn is one of the most picturesque in Wales, and its sandy beach is popular with locals and visitors alike. The scenic bay is also a fantastic snorkelling spot where you may see pipefish, hermit crabs, sand eels or flatfish amongst the seagrass. Keep a look out for the seals which are often spotted off the headland. NT

15. Bangor Pier - Stretching out into the Menai Strait, Bangor Pier provides a fantastic vantage point along this stretch of water which separates the island of Anglesey from mainland Wales. The strong currents that flow through the Straits create a diverse habitat, which is thought to support over 1,400 species, including internationally important numbers of birds, as well as seals, porpoises and the occasional otter! NWWT, VC, A

16. Newborough – Newborough Warren and Ynys Llanddwyn National Nature Reserve is one of the largest and finest sand dune systems in the UK, supporting a rich tapestry of coastal wildlife and landscapes. The sweeping beach at Newborough is an excellent location for paddling in the shallows and for beach combing for shells and Mermaids Purses (the egg cases of sharks and rays). Ynys Llanddwyn stretches over a mile out to sea providing dramatic views of Snowdonia, and is a popular location for walking. CCW

17. South Stack - The RSPB Visitor Centre at Elins Tower provides excellent views of the breeding seabird colony. In spring the cliffs team with razorbills, guillemots and puffins raising their young. The café offers breathtaking views of the sea and surrounding area and is a great place to refuel after a long walk. The strong tidal current around the peninsula attracts feeding gannets, porpoise and dolphins. VC, RSPB, A

Spectacular South Stack lighthouse

Image courtesy of rspb.co.uk

18. Cemlyn Nature Reserve – Near Cemaes on Anglesey, Cemlyn is home to an internationally important seabird colony which includes up to three species of tern. Other species seen include golden plover, oystercatcher, ringed plover and Atlantic grey seals. NT, NWWT

19. The Great Orme – There are fantastic views out to sea from Great Ormes Head and enjoyable walks along the Orme where you have a good chance of spotting a harbour porpoise or two throughout the year. NWWT

20. Point of Ayr in the Dee Estuary – During the winter months you’ll be able to see thousands of birds feeding including waders, gannets, Manx shearwaters and terns. RSPB

Things to remember when you visit the sea and coast:

· Always put your rubbish in a bin or take it home with you. If you can, recycle it!

· Enjoy any wildlife that you are lucky enough to see, but make sure you don’t disturb it.

· Check the tide times before you set off – the tide can rise very quickly so keep an eye on it when you’re on the beach

· Be prepared for the weather - check the forecast and dress in suitable clothing.

· Inform a friend or family member where you’re going.

· Always take care when walking along the coast, particularly on cliffs. Make sure you always stick to the path.