ST JUSTINIANS

Landowner

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park leases the foreshore. Remainder is largely in private ownership, the RNLI own both slipways.

Facilities

There are parking bays for a limited number of cars and a seasonal overspill car park.
It is the embarkation point for many sightseeing trips and boats to Ramsey.
Public toilets.
Shuttle Bus service from St Davids every hour (July and August)

Description

The site lies within the St. David’s Peninsula Site of Special Scientific Interest, candidate Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Area (SPA).
Designated for both its geological and biological importance. It is designated as a SPA due to the numbers of breeding chough it supports. It is also an important breeding site for grey seals.
It provides a vital deep water anchorage for the area and is the main embarkation point for Ramsey Island. It is also important for sightseeing trips and for the St. David’s lifeboat. The lifeboat station was built in 1911 and is now a Listed Building.
It was said that the site was a pilgrims landing place and hence the remains of St. Justinian’s Chapel (a Scheduled Ancient Monument) can be seen above the cove. There is no public access to this site.
This area is of particular interest to walkers, climbers and canoeists and does get very congested with traffic. Rather than build extra car parks on this beautiful stretch of coast efforts are being made to adopt Park & Ride schemes and to encourage shared transport. Remember the RNLI must have access at all times for emergencies, park with this in mind - it may be you they are coming to help.
If kayaking or coasteering, be aware that this is one of the most dangerous stretches of coast in the UK with large tidal ranges, powerful currents, overfalls, whirlpools and uncharted eddies.

Activities

Kayaking. Whilst experienced kayakers used to grade 4+ rivers will choose Spring tides to paddle the internationally famous “Bitches” they are best avoided by the first time visitor or those unused to paddling at this grade. Please share the play waves with the large RIB’s carrying trippers. For sea touring Ramsey Island is a superb trip but please keep away from bird breeding ledges February to June and seal pupping beaches during the pupping season August to November. Ramsey Island is owned by the RSPB and managed as a Nature Reserve. For more details see contact list.
Climbing. In the Porthstinian area there are several small cliffs offering mainly middle grade slab climbing, made more serious by the need for abseil access. Please be sure that ropes do not cross the very busy Coast Path.

Important Information

Parking is limited on the site, Groups using the site are asked to limit numbers of vehicles using access and parking and are asked to consider dropping groups off and parking elsewhere.
To arrange passage to Ramsey and other boat trips contact the Tourist Information Centre in St. David’s.
All those using the tidal zone should be aware of its movements for the day and be aware that tidal conditions around this stretch can be treacherous - see the National Parks Canoeing leaflet for more details.

Useful Contact Numbers

The National Trust – 01646 661359
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park – 0845 345 7275
Milford Haven Coast Guard – 01646 690909
Countryside Council for Wales - 01646 636736
Cambria Archaeology - 01558 823121
RSPCA - 08705 555 999
RSPB - 0836 535733