Pembrokeshire divides into two distinct underwater worlds: the reef and wall sites of Skomer Marine Reserve, and the wrecks and kelp forests around Milford Haven and Dale. The Gray Seal and Curled Octopus are signature sightings, while Catshark, Conger Eel, Spiny Spider Crab, and Cod appear consistently across sites. Most sites suit intermediate divers, with a handful accessible to beginners. Boat access dominates, though some shore entries exist within the reserve.
Monthly water temperature across Pembrokeshire's sites, from satellite sea-surface data corrected for depth. The band shows the site-to-site spread.
Water is coolest in late winter and warms steadily through summer, peaking in August and September, which also draw the most diver visits. A drysuit is advisable for most of the year given the cool baseline. Tidal currents around the exposed headlands and channels require timing dives to suit the slack, particularly at the more open sites near Dale.
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18 more sites to explore
2 areas
Water temperature around Pembrokeshire ranges from about 9°C in February to 17°C in August, based on satellite sea-temperature data for its dive sites.
In the warm season (about 17°C) a 7mm or semi-dry suit is comfortable in Pembrokeshire; in the coldest months (about 9°C) step up to a drysuit.
Fin maps 22 sites in Pembrokeshire (18 scuba diving sites and 7 snorkelling spots, with some suited to both), organised into 2 areas.
Across Pembrokeshire's dive sites, May, June, July and August are most often reported as the best months to visit.
Pembrokeshire has a well-documented species list built from observed sightings. Gray Seal and Curled Octopus are the signature animals, and Catshark, Conger Eel, Spiny Spider Crab, and Cod are recorded as very common across sites. Tompot Blenny, Common Lobster, Squat Lobster, and the Orange-clubbed Nudibranch also appear regularly, making the region particularly rewarding for invertebrate enthusiasts.
Most sites in Pembrokeshire are rated intermediate, reflecting the currents and depths involved. However, sites like Hen Chicks within Skomer Marine Reserve are rated beginner-friendly, with mild currents and moderate depths. Beginners would benefit from going out with one of the local operators, such as Severntec Diving or Scuba Regs, who can advise on conditions and site selection.
Skomer Marine Reserve holds the majority of the region's sites, centred on reefs, walls, and some wrecks, with the Gray Seal a frequent companion underwater. Milford Haven and Dale offer a different flavour, with kelp forests, artificial reefs, and a broader range of wreck diving. Dale sites also tend to have a wider depth range, suiting those looking to push beyond shallower reef dives.
The majority of Pembrokeshire's sites require boat access, and most visiting divers use local operators to reach them. A small number of sites, including High Point North within Skomer Marine Reserve, are accessible from shore. Shore entries are less common here than in many other regions, so planning around boat availability is advisable, particularly for sites at Skomer Island and Dale.
