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Priory Bay (Caldey Island)

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Hi Is the boat trip from Tenby and the Island dog...

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Caldey Abbey Questions & Answers

Hi Is the boat trip from Tenby and the Island dog friendly? Thanks, sally

Yes, both are dog friendly.

Yes dogs travel free. Please keep on a lead at all times.

Yes. They even helped me by carrying my dog onboard

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Caldey Island, dog friendly boat trip

Saturday 20th of June 2015 11:32

Julie went to Caldey Island as a little girl which was a year or two ago!

She has always wanted to return so we did as part of her "big birthday” earlier this year.

I could see why it made such a lasting impression on her, simple, beautiful, no cars & tangible sense of peace.

It was also good value and dog friendly.  More  photos .

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Caldey Island, All You Need to Know and How to Visit

On the South Pembrokeshire Coast is Caldey Island, not far from Tenby. It is open from Easter time to October, and visitors are welcome. Here is all you need to know about Caldey Island and how you can visit.

Sandy beaches, secret coves, idyllic picnic spots, and walks with the most incredible views. Yes, you can get all this at Caldey Island! After you read this article, you will be sure to add Caldey Island to your bucket list. Here is all you need to know about Caldey Island and how you can visit.

Caldey Island

Caldey Island is one of the UK’s holy islands and boasts a fascinating history stretching over 1500 years. In the 5th Century, the first Celtic monastery was built here. It has been the home to Cistercian monks since the early 20th Century, who farm the land and sell their produce to visitors. You can find a detailed history of Caldey Island here.

There are also around 40 permanent residences on the island. Visitors are welcome through the spring and summer. Caldey is a place of peace and tranquillity for people and wildlife! It’s a beautiful place to spend the day with friends or family. Here you can find many rare species of flora and fauna found on its shores. It is also one of the rare places in the country where you can see red squirrels. They were brought to the island in 2016 to control rats.

There is also an adjoining island named St Margaret’s Island , a small rock formation at the south point homing the UK’s largest colony of cormorants as well as strong colonies of Guillemot, Razorbill and Kittiwake. You can often spot seals here, too, if you are lucky.

What can you do at Caldey Island?

Though small, there is plenty to do and see at Caldey Island. From the main jetty located on the beach, you can choose to head into the village or out along one of the walks on the island’s coastline. Pick up a map from the post office on the island to help you plan your day, or view the map online here.

The village has lovely places to visit, such as The Old Priory, St Iltyd’s Church and St David’s Church . Unfortunately, the Abbey here and the Monastic Enclosure are not open to the public, but you can view services from the Abbey Church viewing gallery.

How do you get to Caldey Island?

You can get to Caldey Island via one of the shuttle boats; this is a lot of fun before you even get there! You can park in the town and head down to the harbour where boats to the island leave.

The boat shuttle is available Monday to Saturday, running around every 20 to 30 minutes. The island closes to visitors on Sundays. In addition, you can buy return tickets from the Caldey Island Kiosk in the harbour. Here you can also find more information about the crossing and the expected time of the last boat to and from the island. This slightly changes through the season.

It’s a short 2.5-mile journey to the island from the harbour and takes around 20 minutes. At low tide, boats leave Castle Beach, while you can catch them from the harbour at high tide. If you are confused, ask any questions at the kiosk. An adult must accompany children under the age of sixteen. The ticket price includes the return boat fare. You can travel and return on any boat.

Please be mindful that there are no vehicles on the island. Therefore, you will have to get everywhere on foot. Support is provided for anyone with limited ability, but getting in touch directly before you set off is best. All crossings are weather dependent, so changes to opening times are expected.

On the island, boats leave from the beach or jetty where you arrived. Always check the departure time for the last boat of the day.

Click here for more information about access and getting around Caldey Island.

Facilities on Caldey Island

Opposite the village post office is Ladies and Gents toilets, a baby changing table and a disabled cubicle, fully adapted for independent wheelchair users.

Food and Drink

The village has a tea garden and ice cream shop with an outdoor seating area. They offer hot and cold snacks and a variety of drinks. If you wish to bring your picnic, benches are situated at numerous points around the island.

Village Centre Shops

There is an Island Gift Shop, a Perfume Shop that sells a range of items produced on the island, a chocolate factory / fudgery and a Post Office, which also has a small shop and a museum charting the island’s history.

*Please note that part of the island’s appeal for many visitors is its tranquillity and an escape from everyday life. Therefore, camera drones are forbidden anywhere on Caldey Island without written approval from island management.

That’s all you need to know about getting to Caldey Island and things to do there. We love to visit with our family and soak in the peace and tranquillity of this unique place. Let us know if you have ever visited Caldey Island and your thoughts in the comments . We love to hear your opinions!

Catherine Wadsworth

Can you take dogs to Caldey island?

How much are the shuttle boats please?

Nancy Harris

Hi Did you end up visiting with your dog? We are looking to take our dog this year.

Gill Douglas

I had the pleasure of visiting the island in May 2022. It really is a lovely place to see. Bluebells were in full bloom and I managed to see at least 3 red squirrels during my visit, as well as some black swans. It was quite exciting as it was the first time I had ever seen red squirrels. Just brilliant !! And, I was the last visiting foot to leave at the end of the day… Truly a must to do thing…. Can’t wait for my next … Soon

montserrat rubio

Are the monks really making the perfume and chocolate? I have been told the factory is shut , after I purchased chocolate. The package it’s not clear on where the chocolate is actually made.

Becky Besford

Hello We have been staying at the Sandcastle in Tenby. 2nd trip ever to Wales as my grandmother was from the Rhoda Valleys, Tonapady. We ventured out today and this local gentleman was telling us about Caldey Island in regards the Monastery and we are mad History Buffs and really want to visit before coming home which is tomorrow..if not I will have to return to this Beautiful Town & Beautiful Beaches. I came for Peace & Tranquility and that’s exactly what we got

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Caldey Island

Boat trips to caldey island, what can i do.

A trip to Caldey Island is different to any of the other attractions in Tenby. The quiet religious atmosphere conjured up by the monastic buildings and lifestyle of the residents is reflected in the beautiful and peaceful wooded surroundings. The village includes a gift shop, post office, tea gardens and a small museum; while within walking distance are a church, old priory, and lighthouse. Tours of the Monastery itself are available, but are for men only.

All of the Monks produce is available both on the island and in the Caldey Island Shop in Quay Street Tenby.

Tenby Guide is the best place to come if you need to know where to stay in the town of Tenby. We aim to give advice and guidance to both new and seasoned visitors to Pembrokeshire's finest beach resort, and look forward to welcoming you to our beautiful seaside town. Also see our guide to hotels, guesthouses and bed and breakfasts in Tenby.

Caldey Abbey

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Caldey Abbey - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Caldey Island

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DISTANCE/DURATION: WOODLAND WALK (green) 0.9 miles (1.4km) 30 minutes LIGHTHOUSE WALK (blue) 1.4 miles (2.3km) 45 minutes WEST CLIFFS WALK (red) 1.9 miles (3.1km) 1 hour PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Please telephone Tenby Tourist Information Centre 01437 775603 for details of buses and trains, car parks, park & ride CHARACTER: Island walk, easy grade LOOK OUT FOR: Spectacular natural views, lighthouse, perfumery,St Illtud’s church, Monastery buildings (enclosure private – no access), spring flowers, seals CAUTION: Dogs allowed on island, but must be kept on a lead at all times. Please telephone Tenby harbour (01834 842296) for boat crossing days/times etc.

On a hot summer’s afternoon, when the air is buzzing with bees busy at comfrey flowers, there is nowhere quite like Caldey Island. The place has a relaxed, slow paced atmosphere.

Just a 20 minute boat trip from Tenby, the island is a great place for a gentle stroll and there is lots to explore. The island has a long history; its caves were inhabited from Stone Age times, but it was the arrival of the 6th century hermit St Pyro that began Caldey’s long connection with the church.

In Welsh the island is known as Ynys Byr, or Pyro’s Island. The name Caldey was given by the Vikings and means Cold Island. After the Norman conquest, Benedictine monks established a priory on Caldey.

After the reformation the island changed hands repeatedly, but in 1906 it once again became home to a Benedictine order.

They built the Mediterranean-style monastery, but in 1928 the island was sold once again to a Cistercian order. It is still a working monastic community.

Much of the route runs along field edges, woodland and cliffs, where there are plenty of birds to see. The atmospheric Old Priory, which stands close to the route among trees, is one of the oldest churches in Wales.

For such a small island Caldey has a wide variety of habitats. Its geology gives it something of a split personality as part of the island is Old Red Sandstone and part is Carboniferous limestone. As a result it has both acid and alkaline soils, which produce a glorious array of flowers.

Some may thrive today thanks partly to the care of medieval monks. For example, comfrey is sometimes called knitbone because it was used to treat broken bones by herbalists.

Find this Walk

Grid ref: ss140965, safety first.

• Stay on the path and away from cliff edges
• Wear boots and warm, waterproof clothing
• Take extra care in windy and/or wet conditions
• Always supervise children and dogs
• Leave gates and property as you find them

Discover more about Walking in the Park

Well-controlled dogs are usually welcome members of any trip to the Pembrokeshire Coast.

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Lundy - Puffin Island

• 26 Mile offshore passage, land on Lundy Island within an hour (dependant on wildlife encounters)  
• High end wildlife trip to an amazing destination   
• Dolphin, seals, puffins, and a wide variety of sea birds. Potential to see whales if you’re lucky! We saw whales on four offshore tips in ’23.
• Stunning marine reserve and Island steeped in history to explore  
• Marisco Tavern – a brilliant and charming pub.. on a small island in the Ocean!  

Lundy Island

26 miles due south of Caldey Island, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Bristol Channel with nothing between it and America. A granite outcrop, three miles long and half a mile wide.

Home to many, many oceanic birds including a thriving Puffin colony (April – July). Seals galore and a very high chance of at least one Dolphin encounter on the approximately one hour passage.

This offshore passage is pricey and wildlife or flat calm isn’t guaranteed. However – if you’re up for an adventure, this one has the potential to surpass all expectations.

We leave Tenby Harbour full of anticipation of what lies ahead, knowing what an amazing experience this can be. We enjoy sharing this with our customers and do our utmost to make the trip a highlight of the year.

In short – we love it!

Landing on Lundy

Having explored the west side of the island where the Puffins burrow, we duck under the south and land on the east where you’ll step into another world – Climb the old lighthouse and stand where the light once shone, looking out onto the Atlantic Horizon. Find the smugglers caves and hear tales of Barbary piracy. Why are there 3 lighthouses on such a small island? It’s a captivating and intriguing place with much to explore.

The celebrated Marisco Tavern serves up excellent food; walls are adorned with tangible relics, flotsam and jetsam.

Lundy Trip Timings

We offer different trips depending on the time of year. Both have their perks!

Weather & Tides Times occasionally change due to tides and weather, we will give you plenty of notice. This is an offshore trip so we watch the weather very carefully, occasionally we do have to cancel but this is only for you safety and enjoyment.

Off peak Times

April – October, excluding July and August. We leave Tenby at 10am, we’ll be on the island for 5 hrs ish. Departing at 4, we’ll be back in Tenby around 5.

July and August. We leave Tenby at the later time of 3pm. We circumnavigate the island but will have a little less time to explore. App 3 hrs. However! – We leave Lundy at 7-7.30 and have a sunset run home. Usually back around 8.30-9. This can be magic, outrageous in fact! Beautiful colours, lots of offshore wildlife.

New, purpose built vessel for ’23. Atlantic Horizon is designed specifically to operate far offshore, your safety is our No.1 priority. If you are caught short the all important porta pot is available!

Ticket price: £80pp plus £10 landing fee.

Are you up for an adventure you'll still be talking about at christmas.

Leave your name and contact with us and we’ll get in touch with sailing times during your time in Pembrokeshire.  

i [email protected] 07980 864 509

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What to bring

The boat is open to keep passengers better connected to the wildlife. Warm clothes, bring more than you think you should for the run home. Waterproof/ windproof, sun glasses/ cream etc. A face buff/ scarf to keep wind off face is a good idea. If you have a dryrobe or equivalent, bring it. You can leave valuable things securely locked on the boat whilst you’re on the island.