Ramsey Island (Ynys Dewi) lies off the headland to the west of St Davids, ringed by dramatic sea cliffs and an offshore armada of rocky islets and reefs. The island is a Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) reserve famous for its large breeding population of choughs – members of the crow family with glossy black feathers and distinctive red bills and legs – and for its grey seals.

You can reach the island by boat from the tiny harbour at St Justinian, 2 miles west of St Davids. Longer boat trips run up to 20 miles offshore, to the edge of the Celtic Deep, to spot whales, porpoises and dolphins. What you'll see depends on the weather and the time of year; July to September are the best months. Porpoises are seen on most trips, dolphins on four out of five, and there's a 40% chance of seeing whales. The most common species is the minke, but pilot whales, fin whales and orcas have also been spotted.

Thousand Islands Expeditions is the only operator permitted to land day trippers on the island, where they can explore some of its 3½-mile walking circuit. Voyages of Discovery, Aquaphobia and Venture Jet head out to the island but don't land there.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. St Davids Head

2.89 MILES

This atmospheric heather-wreathed promontory, formed from the oldest rock in Wales, was fortified by the Celts. The jumbled stones and ditch of an Iron…

2. Whitesands Bay

2.92 MILES

This mile-long sandy beach is a popular surfing, swimming and strolling spot. At extremely low tide you can see the wreck of a paddle tugboat that ran…

3. St Non's Bay

3.05 MILES

Immediately south of St Davids, this ruggedly beautiful spot is named after St David's mother and traditionally accepted as his birthplace. A path leads…

4. St Davids Bishop's Palace

3.16 MILES

This atmospheric ruined palace was begun at the same time as St David's Cathedral, adjacent, but its final, imposing Decorated Gothic form owes most to…

5. St David's Cathedral

3.23 MILES

Hidden in a hollow and behind high walls, St David's Cathedral is intentionally unassuming. The valley site was chosen in the vain hope that the church…

6. Oriel y Parc

3.5 MILES

Occupying a bold, semicircular, environmentally friendly building on the edge of town, Oriel y Parc is a winning collaboration between the Pembrokeshire…

7. Blue Lagoon

7.5 MILES

Slate was quarried at this site on the water's edge in Abereiddi right up until 1910 and then transported by tramway to the harbour at Porthgain. After…

8. Garn Fawr

15.21 MILES

The section of coast between Porthgain and Fishguard is one of the most remote of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, sheltering ancient monuments, dramatic…