In the heart of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park there’s an unspoilt village that boasts gorgeous beaches, beautiful wildlife, and a strong community feeling. Dale village, located about nine miles west of Milford Haven, offers a wide range of local fishing, sailing, and wildlife-viewing trips and brilliant water sports too. Plus locals pride themselves on giving visitors a warm welcome – and serving delicious food and drink at the local pub.
Of course we have so many beautiful beaches across Wales and each offers something different to the next – but it’s always great to visit somewhere where everyone in the family will find something to do whether that’s an exciting activity all together or just relaxing with a cold pint while the children explore and try something new. Dale village offers two beaches and they’re just a mile apart but provide vastly different experiences.
The tranquil and Blue Flag-accredited Dale Beach boasts clear water and the sand and pebbles slope gently to the sea making it easy to get in and out of the water – with a “wheelchair-friendly concrete slip” across the pebbles helping to make the beach accessible to wheelchair users – and providing a great location for water sports including sailing, kayaking, and canoeing. Meanwhile nearby West Dale Bay is popular with surfers for its wilder waves but, unfortunately, stronger currents.
There are restrictions on dogs at the northern end of Dale Beach between May 1 and September 30 each year but as we are well into autumn now families need not leave their dogs at home or in the car during their visit and can bring them along for their family day out. You could start your day with a gentle walk along the beach or, if you’re brave enough, a dip or paddle in the clear waters before stopping by Celtic Sea Watersports, the main provider of watersports courses and hireable equipment in the area. Of course it’s always worth checking opening hours and availability in advance. The company offers sailing courses for adults and children of varying levels of difficulty and experience throughout the year and powerboat courses and taster sessions too. The centre also offers a BSAC (British Sub-Aqua Club)-approved Introduction to snorkelling course and shore-based courses including a marine radio course.
If structured courses aren’t your thing you’re able to hire single and double kayaks and Canadian canoes for a one-hour, two-hour, three-hour, half-day (four-hour), or full-day (eight hours) slot with buoyancy aids provided and life jackets available for less competent swimmers. You can also hire dinghies or other sail boats here for one, two, or three hours. The watersports centre keeps a limited supply of wetsuits available for hire if you don’t already have one.
The watersports centre is located very close to the water’s edge and near a handful of independent pubs and eateries. The Boathouse Dale offers food, drink, and entertainment from April to September each year while nearby Coco’s Brasserie in Dale Yacht Club offers a taste of the Mediterranean with tapas, pizzas, and grazing boards available throughout the summer and into mid-October.
Source : Wales Online
