Stackpole Quay to Barafundle Bay Paddle Boarding 

Paddle between two Pembrokeshire favourites to find sea caves and a stunning beach. Launch from Stackpole Quay’s pebble beach and pass the flat stone jetty built to load locally quarried limestone, and land coal to use in the limekilns. Head right (south) along the base of the cliffs. Shortly, reach Lorts Cave, a large sea cave, and just beyond this you reach a deep narrow cleft in the limestone cliffs. Once within the cleft, which feels like being in the heart of the cliffs, it is strangely quiet except for the sounds of the incoming swell echoing from the vaulted ceiling and pillars. Explore the nearby kelp beds that attract a variety of marine life. Once past this inlet the beautiful stretch of dune-backed Barafundle Beach opens ahead. For its golden sands, clear turquoise waters, and pine-clad cliffs, this beach has been voted the best in Britain many times over. Continue to the southern end of the bay to explore an amazing series of sea arches, sometimes called the Lattice Windows, that form Griffith Lorts Hole.

Distance 2.6km (return)

Paddling environment 5

Starting Point Stackpole Quay, Stackpole Road, Stackpole and Castlemartin, Pembrokeshire
SA71 5LS. Grid ref. SR 992 957; What3Words vest.urban.dwarf; Lat/long 51.624, -4.901

Parking Stackpole Quay car park (free to NT members) adjacent to starting point  

Launching 150m walk from car park to beach

Pitstops Stackpole Quay NT tearoom serving local, seasonal fare, the Boathouse Tearoom, tel. 01646 623110 Stackpole village gastropub in ivy-clad former village post office, The Stackpole Inn, 01646 672324 www.stackpoleinn.co.uk

Lessons & trips Explore this amazing coastline with OuterReef Surf School, tel. 01646 680070 www.outerreefsurfschool.com

Getting there SW from Pembroke on B4319, through St Petrox, then L to Stackpole. Go through village then turn R at brown NT sign to road end and Stackpole Quay car park.

Special points Stackpole Quay and the caves completely drain at LW so optimum time to start trip is 2hrs before HW to finish anytime up to 2 hours after HW. Although sheltered from SW winds, SW swell can be encountered even in benign conditions around Stackpole Head as swell can persist after periods of strong wind. Route exposed to E winds, check Surfline www.surfline.com at nearby Broad Haven South for local conditions.

Offshore wind: W

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