ACTIVITY HOLIDAYS AND BREAKS IN SOUTH WEST WALES
Out here in Britain's own Wild West, it doesn't matter what kind of outdoor action you're after – an adventure holiday in South West Wales has it. Hit the waves and surf pure blue Atlantic swells, breaking onto golden beaches; kayak around dramatic offshore islands or dive in clear green Gulf Stream waters.
In South West Wales, short breaks that harness the power of the wind bring you kite surfing, windsurfing and sailing on stiff Atlantic breezes. Back on land, South West Wales features mountain biking on some of the best trails in the world and coasteering along beautiful, rugged cliffs.
Canoeing
Canoeing is a form of outdoor action that will appeal to everyone. You can pootle along rivers for the most relaxing of days, or you can take on rougher waters further upstream. The basics can be picked up in minutes, and the craft are more stable than you think. And in calm conditions you can use them on the sea to explore while everyone else is stuck on busy beaches, and maybe find your own hidden cove for swimming and sunbathing.
Coasteering
West Wales is the home of Coasteering, one of Britain's fastest growing adventure sports; it was developed here in the '80s and '90s. Pembrokeshire and the Gower Peninsula remain two of the premier destinations for this exciting adventure sport. For the uninitiated, Coasteering involves squeezing into a wetsuit, buoyancy aid and old trainers, then working your way around the coast at sea level - simple enough if you're on a beach, but a different story if you're beneath craggy sea cliffs.
Diving
West Wales is one of the best places in Britain for diving. Its clear green waters are warmed by the Gulf Stream and there's a superb range of dive sites from offshore islands to ship wrecks and even a Marine Nature Reserve around Skomer Island. There's a fantastic array of sea life both above and below the water including seal colonies on Pembrokeshire's islands, passing dolphins and porpoise, submarine species such as starfish and wrasse and rare northern coral species.
Kayaking
A sea kayak is far and away the best way to explore the spectacular coastline of West Wales, but you could also think about paddling some of the region's main rivers too. You can learn to use a kayak in a morning, and once you've got the hang of it, discover some of Britain's finest coastline - dark sea cliffs, hidden coves and great bathing beaches. Not forgetting the wildlife which varies from seals and porpoises to massive colonies of sea birds.
Kitesurfing
Combining the exhilaration of kite flying with the adrenalin rush of surfing, you'll have fun from the first day you learn to kitesurf. The learning curve is almost as steep as the lines to your kite, but most people will have the basics mastered in a couple of days. You begin by learning to fly the kite, move onto getting dragged behind it through the shallows and then finally, you're ready to go and it's up and away - up to 20 feet in the air, in fact.
Sailing
Sailors of all abilities will find plenty to challenge their yachting skills in West Wales. The offshore waters provide some of the finest sailing in Britain, with Viking-named islands like Caldey, Skokholm, Skomer, Ramsey and Grassholm beckoning across clear blue-green seas. Closer inshore is a spectacular coastline of soaring cliffs and sweeping sands easily accessed from a great range of ports and anchorages. Many of the region's beaches also have launch facilities for smaller sailing craft.
Windsurfing
West Wales has plenty of wind energy, so why not harness that free power and go windsurfing? Former European champion Tristan Boxford developed his talents here and reckons that you can find sailing here for beginners, intermediates and "even those pushing the limits of windsurfing". Spots such as Horton and Llangennith on the Gower Peninsula, and Broadhaven and Newgale in Pembrokeshire will have you scudding across the ocean on a windy day.
Surfing
West Wales has some of the finest surf in Britain, and the surfers to prove it. Former European champions Carwyn Williams and Chris 'Guts' Griffiths are local boys, and there's a host of hot young pros such as Nathan Phillips waiting in the wings. But you don't have to be as good as them to enjoy the waves of West Wales. Gower and Pembrokeshire have a fantastic range of surf breaks to suit everyone from first timer to expert.
Mountain Biking
Lucky you - pop across the border into Wales and you've arrived at Mountain Bike Central. Whether you're a downhill animal or have never even done a bunny hop, here in Wild West Wales we have what are recognised as some of the best purpose-built mountain bike trails in the world by the Colorado-based International Mountain Biking Association. Just try the Afan Forest Park near Port Talbot and you'll see what we mean.