CYMRAEG search COVID-19 (Coronavirus) For details on service changes visit our Coronavirus information and advice page. OCEAN VISITORS Home / About the National Park / Wildlife / Seasonal Wildlife / Ocean Visitors SHARE THIS While it is possible to visit one of Pembrokeshire’s seabird colonies to see the spectacle of puffins, guillemots and razorbills, it is less easy to plunge beneath the waves to catch a glimpse of the amazing marine wildlife that passes by our shores each year. Pembrokeshire is a fortunate county, bathed by waters that have travelled from the Caribbean via the Gulf Stream. Those same currents bring nutrients to our shores, and these in turn attract creatures in search of food. What lies beneath the surface? Pembrokeshire plays host to such marine visitors as basking sharks, the Portuguese man o’ war, minke whale and several species of dolphin. FISHY VISITORS TO PEMBROKESHIRE Pembrokeshire benefits from a mild maritime climate, brought by the Gulf Stream all the way from the West Indies. These same waters bring, during the summer, a concentration of plankton, fish and squid to the waters of Pembrokeshire. Such a gourmet banquet naturally attracts a few more exotic diners. Certainly the largest creature to visit the waters of Pembrokeshire is the basking shark. This fish can grow to be as large and heavy as a double decker bus, but lives entirely on plankton, microscopic plants and animals. In summer it can be seen from the coast moving slowly through the water, either singly or in groups. Much about the life of this creature is unknown, but populations of basking shark do seem to move up the Irish Sea towards the Isle of Man. Strangest amongst the ocean visitors is the sunfish. This fish looks almost like an enormous dinner plate, being round and flat. It swims upright with huge fins on top and underneath to steer with, or can be seen on its side at the surface, seemingly being warmed by the sun. Sunfish are regular visitors to Pembrokeshire during the summer, and can be seen from the coast or offshore islands. JELLYFISH Brought by the ocean currents that bathe Pembrokeshire in a mild maritime climate, jellyfish are regular visitors to the coast during the summer months. Five main species can be seen; the barrel jellyfish, the lion’s mane jellyfish, the moon jellyfish, the compass jellyfish and the blue jellyfish. Moon jellyfish are a common species to see. They are the jellyfish most often seen washed up on beaches during the early summer; a round disk the size of a saucer or tea plate with four pale purple circles in the centre. They have a mild sting. Larger, but completely harmless is the barrel jellyfish, one of the largest species found in the UK. This jellyfish also washes up dead on beaches, and is mostly found in South Pembrokeshire off the coast at Stackpole. Following in the wake of the jellyfish are the creatures that feed on them. Thought of as creatures of tropical waters, turtles enjoy a dinner of jellyfish and are regular visitors to the Pembrokeshire coast. The most common turtle species seen in these waters is the leatherback turtle, a reptile that can grow to six feet in length. Other turtle visitors include the loggerhead, Kemp’s ridley and hawksbill turtle. WHALES AND DOLPHINS Not strictly seasonal visitors to the Pembrokeshire coast, there are a number of whales and dolphins that can be seen in the Irish Sea. Among those sighted regularly are harbour porpoise, common, bottlenose and Risso’s dolphin. Indeed the Irish Sea has one of the most important populations in the UK of bottlenose dolphins, and a significant concentration of harbour porpoise. Why do these mammals use the Irish Sea? The waters around the Pembrokeshire coast are stirred by strong tidal currents which circulate nutrients, and make the waters rich in sea life, perfect feeding for dolphins and whales. During the summer, weather and sea conditions combine to draw into the Irish Sea plankton, fish and squid in large numbers. This attracts marine mammals that would normally only be seen in the open ocean. Species include minke whale, fin whale, pilot whale and short-beaked common dolphin. What is the best way to see these creatures? Sightings are possible from the Coast Path, and the offshore islands. Boat trips are also available from St Justinian and Solva. The Sea Trust of South and West Wales uses the cross-channel ferry from Fishguard to monitor whales and dolphins. LEARN MORE ABOUT SEASONAL VISITORS TO THE PEMBROKESHIRE COAST WINTER MIGRATING BIRDS Pembrokeshire is a popular winter get-away for many species of bird. READ MORE ON WINTER MIGRATING BIRDS SEASONAL SEA BIRDS A visit to a sea bird colony is a true assault on the senses; the movement, sounds and smells of thousands of birds filling the air and the cliff ledg... READ MORE ON SEASONAL SEA BIRDS ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK SUSTAINABILITY Find out how the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority tackles the issues of sustainability, climate change and sea level rise. READ MORE ON SUSTAINABILITY FACTS AND FIGURES Find out some fascinating facts that highlight what makes the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park so special. READ MORE ON FACTS AND FIGURES ACCESS AND RIGHTS OF WAY We do our best to ensure that you have access to all the best bits, so around 1,000 km of the network of public rights of way in the National Park is ... READ MORE ON ACCESS AND RIGHTS OF WAY ARCHAEOLOGY The historic environment is part of what makes the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park such a special place. People have lived and worked in the park fo... READ MORE ON ARCHAEOLOGY WILDLIFE Explore the amazing wildlife that makes its home on the Pembrokeshire Coast. READ MORE ON WILDLIFE HABITATS The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park has many habitats which support a wide variety of wildlife; both common and rare. READ MORE ON HABITATS GEOLOGY When you think about the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park you may conjure up images of beautiful beaches, panoramic views from the Coast Path and qua... READ MORE ON GEOLOGY HISTORY In this section we invite you to travel back in time and explore the rich cultural history of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. READ MORE ON HISTORY CULTURE AND HERITAGE Pembrokeshire has a rich and diverse culture which has been shaped down the centuries by waves of invaders and settlers. READ MORE ON CULTURE AND HERITAGE GEOGRAPHY Explore the stunning geography of the Pembrokeshire Coast, which after all is the reason for Pembrokeshire being designated as a National Park. READ MORE ON GEOGRAPHY GET IN TOUCH Contact us and register your details to get the latest updates on what's happening in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. CONTACT US National Park Office Llanion Park Pembroke Dock Pembrokeshire, SA72 6DY Tel: 01646 624800 Email: info@pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk VISITING Plan your visit Access for All Carew Castle and Tidal Mill Castell Henllys Iron Age Village Oriel y Parc Gallery and Visitor Centre QUICK LINKS About the National Park Authority About the National Park Planning Contact Us News Jobs Accessibility Statement Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Cookie Policy Sitemap © 2021 Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However you may visit Cookie Settings to provide a controlled consent. Cookie settingsACCEPT