About Islandeering
Hi and welcome to Islandeering Islandeering is for people who want adventure in Britain’s wild blue spaces – our rivers, coast, lakes, canals and islands. You will find amazing walks, paddles and swims in the UK’s most special places, those recognised for outstanding natural beauty, incredible geology or special and abundant wildlife.
More About UsWe continuously find new islands, rivers, lochs, canals and coast to walk, SUP and swim in and meet plenty of great folks along the way. Join our community to get new routes and adventures, latest blogs and news by using the email box below. Tune in also to our Facebook and Instagram pages to see where we are going next.
Key Facts
Location: Near St David’s, Pembrokeshire
Size: 259 hectares
Access: Ramsey Island Ferry
Map: OS Explorer OL35
Departure point: St Justinian’s Lifeboat Station, St Davids, SA62 6RS. What3Words validated.entitles.soaps; Grid ref. SM 7232 252
Across the notorious tidal flows of Ramsey Sound this RSPB-owned island that sits off St Davids Head is famed for its wildlife. The prolific seals and birdlife along with the potential of spotting dolphins and porpoise are always a draw but the small population of red deer, transported to the island in a net suspended beneath an RAF helicopter in the 1970s, and five white Welsh mountain ponies that thrive here might be more of a surprise. With farmland and a hill in the north, heathland in the south and some of the highest cliffs in Wales to the west (the high point of the island reaches 136 metres) the views from every aspect of this island are spectacular. Uninhabited except for the island’s wardens it is accessed by boat from St Justinian’s Lifeboat Station. Tea, coffee and basic snacks are available at the farmhouse.
Top things to do on Ramsey Island:
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- Watch the porpoises in Ramsey Sound
- See the seal pups get their first swimming lesson
- Climb the three peaks of Ramsey for stunning views
- Walk around the whole island
- Experience the notorious rapids of The Bitches on the crossing
Best time to visit Ramsey Island
The Ramsey Island boat trips operate from Spring, Summer and Autumn, which are the best seasons to visit Ramsey Island. In spring the cliffs become bird-cities with thousands of nesting seabirds, along with choughs and peregrines and bluebells carpet Ramsey making quite a spectacle. In summer Ramsey is covered by carpets of purple heather, which attract a vibrant insect population from bees and butterflies. In Autumn Ramsey Island’s Atlantic Grey Seal colony bursts into life with hundreds of seal pups born on beaches here every year.
How to get to Ramsey Island
Ramsey Island boat trips are a treat in themselves, with plenty of wildlife to spot on the way. The boats leave from St Justinians near the Life Boat Station (postcode SA62 6RS) which is 3km west of St Davids, and you must show your ticket. There is a free car park at St Justinians, and an overflow car park (charges). The Celtic Coaster minibus (April – End September) operates between St Davids to St Justinians in the summer – https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/bus-routes-and-timetables/bus-routes-list-coastal-buses . It is also possible to walk 3km along the road between St Davids and St Justinians (approx. 50 mins).
Note: to access the boat’s slipway there are is quite a long flight of steps
The Ramsey Island Boat timetable
The Ramsey Island boats leave St Justinians at 10 am and 12 pm, returning at 4 pm (between 1st April or Easter, whichever is earlier, to 31st October). Book ahead with Thousand Island Expeditions ( tel. 01437 721721; http://thousandislands.co.uk).
Can you stay on Ramsey Island
There is no accommodation on Ramsey Island, other than for the wardens who live there. The closest accommodation for Ramsey Island is in St Davids.
Food on Ramsey Island
Teas, coffees and snacks at the farmhouse
Ramsey Island Dogs
Sadly dogs are not allowed on Ramsey island (except assistance animals) but well-behaved dogs are welcome on the Thousand Island Boat Trips
About Islandeering
Hi and welcome to Islandeering Islandeering is for people who want adventure in Britain’s wild blue spaces – our rivers, coast, lakes, canals and islands. You will find amazing walks, paddles and swims in the UK’s most special places, those recognised for outstanding natural beauty, incredible geology or special and abundant wildlife.
More About UsWe continuously find new islands, rivers, lochs, canals and coast to walk, SUP and swim in and meet plenty of great folks along the way. Join our community to get new routes and adventures, latest blogs and news by using the email box below. Tune in also to our Facebook and Instagram pages to see where we are going next.
Key Facts
- Location: Near St David’s, Pembrokeshire
- Size: 259 hectares
- Terrain: Easy grass paths rugged in places; three hills
- Access: Ramsey Island Boat Trip
- Height gain: 362 metres
- Map: OS Explorer OL35
- Starting point: Ramsey Island ferry jetty. Grid Ref. SM 707 237
Ramsey Island Walk Summary
This anti-clockwise circuit is a walk around Ramsey Island’s coastline and the three ‘peaks’ of Ramsey, including Carn Llundain, the Ramsey Island’s high point at 136 metres. The island has a very varied habitat that is farmed in the north, heathland in the south and some of the highest cliffs in Wales to the west. The views from every section of the walk are spectacular.
Ramsey Island Walk Directions
Start the Ramsey Island Walk from the ferry and ascend the concrete steps to the hut by the quay for the briefing from the RSPB wardens. Continue onto the island following signs to ‘trail and shop’.
From the farmhouse and shop in Aberfelin Bay head north through the farm buildings and gate and follow the signs for ‘North Route’ for 800 metres across open grassland then pass through a gap in the stonewall. Go through the gate to start the climb to Carnysgubar, then retrace steps to the base of the hill.
Pass through a gate and stone wall and follow the grass path above the seal beach of Aber Mawr. Walk towards the wooden observatory through the gap in the wall and gate. Continue on the path to the top of the cliffs of Trwyn Garlic. Walk along the stone wall before turning right through a gap and continue on the grass path above the dramatic steep cliffs. The sea caves on the north west coast of the island can be seen if you look back.
At the sign to Ogof Colomennod continue straight ahead to view the cave. Return to the sign and continue south on the coast path as it works its way uphill. As the grass path turns to rock, stone cairns start to mark the way.
To reach the high point of the island itself, Carnllundain and the trig point, take the small path uphill to the left of the main path, then return to the main path.
To reach the third hill find the small path further south that leads left from the main island path. Return to the main path the same way and continue to descend on the coastal path past the seabird colonies of Ogof Glyma.
At the large inlet of Porth Lleuog there is an option to turn inland as a shortcut back to the farmhouse if time is running out. For the circumnavigation though keep to the path south along the coast to reach the southwest point of Trwynmynachdy. Continue around this small peninsula along the coast, then turn right off the main path and walk uphill to Foel Fowr to reach the dramatic viewpoint out across Ynys Gwelltog, Cantwr and Bery. Return to the main path and continue around the headland. At the junction, head straight ahead and continue north along the east coast on the well-defined path to the farmhouse and jetty.
Getting to Ramsey Island
Boats leave from St Justinians Life Boat Station which is 3km west of St Davids (postcode SA62 6RS) for the short crossing to Ramsey at 10 am and 12 pm, returning at 4 pm (between 1st April or Easter, whichever is earlier, to 31st October) via Thousand Island Expeditions ( tel. 01437 721721; http://thousandislands.co.uk).
Activities on Ramsey Island
What to see on Ramsey Island
Nestled in the Bristol Channel, just a short boat trip away from the Welsh coast, [...]
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