Celtic Deep

12/02/2025

In the week that we celebrate women in marine science, it has been amazing to read about leading female figures that have been so influential in our field and have provided so much inspiration to those that follow in their fin-strokes. 

Their origin stories all contain some form of first break… a light bulb moment. What is clear is that there is no clear starting point. Finding that first step, with doubts ringing in the ears, can feel like a giant stride into the unknown. 

At Celtic Deep we want to provide a boat, right here in Wales, from which young people can take their first plunge into the deep-end of ocean field work. 

One of the early career initiatives we’ve established is working alongside universities to provide work placements for students here in Wales. 

We’ve been lucky enough to welcome some wonderful humans to our team.

Ella and Grace are both Marine Biology undergraduates from and in the last 6 months they’ve mixed chum, deployed BRUVS, hauled kit, met with decision makers, crunched data and spent hours in the water with sharks, tuna, seals and puffins. 

The best bit, they’ve also been visiting schools telling the next generation of ocean enthusiasts all about it.

Thank you Ella & Grace!

16/01/2025

Here’s a thought for anyone in Pembrokeshire who has a friend or family member who is struggling with their mental or physical health (most of us do).

What if you, or a health professional could refer that person to an expert outdoor practitioner in Pembrokeshire? (They could self-refer too).

What if over 6 weeks they met regularly as a small group and were able to spend time in nature learning new skills and making memories with a group of people who are in a similar boat.

Would that injection of newness, nature, positivity, confidence and companionship be enough to stop that person from spiralling into crisis?

What if it was also free?

Would it not save the NHS, itself currently at crisis point, the enormous resources they currently spend dealing with people in their own states of crisis?

Would it not also provide out-of-season work for the outdoor industry?

What if we were to tell you that this initiative already exists. And, it works.

The Outdoor Health Project is a and project that has been running over the last few years and is having a transformative impact on local people.

Svend is one of those participants. He’s joined our ‘Wildlife on one Breath’ programme which is all about discovering our marine life through freediving.

Svend is passionate about making social prescribing part of our health care system. He invited us, along with other activity providers, Coed LLeol and PCF to chat about our experiences and vision for what it could be. You can watch the podcast here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-hlEfvS57U

Because ultimately 6 weeks is not enough. Social prescribing needs to switch from being an initiative at the mercy of annual funding bids, to something we can all rely on in our time of need.

We’d certainly run this programme all year round if we could. It’s one of the best things we do.

15/01/2025

Whats aukuring?

Wonderful to have and join the puffin circus with us last year. Never a dull moment with these two onboard!

Catch their new series Wynne & Joanna: All at Sea comes to BBC One, BBC One Wales and iPlayer from Monday 27 January at 8.30pm

We feature in Episode 5

Image: Barn Media Ltd / BBC Cymru Wales

21/10/2024

We're doing a merch run!

Use code CD2024 to get free shipping on pre-orders in our shop. Aiming for November delivery. In time for you know what.

get the screens ready, we're coming for you!

CD 🦈

17/08/2024

When the team gets in for a last swim before heading home. Good day yesterday 🦈🦈🦈🦈🦈

Pics by

13/08/2024

A few spaces still available this month. Three fantastic trips.

Starting this weekend with a weekend exploring the Deep and our offshore islands. We've had a late cancellation drop us a DM for a late notice deal on one or both days.

CD 🦈

04/08/2024

Celtic Deep shark guide keeps a close eye on a rambunctious female blue shark that took an age to show up on Saturday and then wouldn't leave us alone!

There really isn't any shark more fun to swim with than an inquisitive bluey.

Especially one that's put you through the emotional rollercoaster of 'will it, won't it show up' on a choppy day in the Deep.

It's been a theme thus far this season. Hard-earned but incredible wildlife encounters from fin whales to risso dolphins, and sharks to sunfish. All shared with lovely groups of people from all over the UK and beyond.

We've absolutely loved being back out there.

CD 🦈💙

Thanks to for letting us share this image

Thanks to the expertise of all the skippers at you're all legends!

31/07/2024

Can you tell it's shark season? We're a bit late to the party on this and many other updates but it was lovely to have and onboard with us on our last puffin trip a couple weeks ago! Thanks to Jo and Wynne for bidding a fun filled farewell to the puffin season. Turns out puffins are indifferent to a fine baritone.

As always many thanks to our partners at

20/07/2024

Great to have Sue from Wild Swim Wales with us on Thursday after a few days blown out last season. Patience rewarded!

23/06/2024

The ultimate Lundy adventure with a special guest!

This Saturday join Celtic Deep & nature filmmaker and author of the amazing 'How to Speak Whale' on this one-off full day trip from Tenby to Lundy Island, 29th June.

Tom is coming aboard as part of his research with Celtic Deep for his new book, about animal relationships. He’s an Ambassador for Whale and Dolphin Conservation and happy to talk about new discoveries in animal communication, making films with Greta Thunberg and David Attenborough and to generally share in the wonder of the UK’s marine life. There may also be a second mystery nature guest!

9am- 5pm trip. Meet Tom and the Celtic Deep team in Tenby Harbour where we'll hop onboard super rib and disembark for Lundy (approx 1hr although Tom may want to stop and chat with the dolphins). Swim with the Lundy seals before heading off to explore the island.

Hope you can join! Book via our website.

Team CD 🦭🐬

13/06/2024

12/06/2024

Wonderful to have join us on board earlier in the season.

The segment on Skomers puffins and how they've bucked the worrying trend elsewhere in the UK was featured in tonight's .

Catch it on now.

Big credit too to our friend who came up with the concept of using, (and generously supports us still) hand made puffin decoys. They've proven to be an amazing tool to interact with these animals on their terms.

We're so very lucky to have these incredible birds visit us here in Pembrokeshire.

🐧🐧🐧

11/06/2024

DM us if you want to make the most of a special parent+offspring* rate this Sunday.

To celebrate with dad's, or in their honour.

CD🐧

*Grown up kids only on Sunday. (Family Skomer trips now available on other dates).

03/06/2024

Skomer with Celtic Deep

15/05/2024

Emma hitting the airwaves with Pure West Radio! Such a great event ☺️

12/05/2024

How many parents have said this while enjoying some well earned 'off duty' time?

Well, enough have said it to us onboard or online for us to listen. We've had so many requests from local families too.

Young people, 12 years or older are now able to join their folks on dedicated family versions of our puffin trips.

The trips are slightly shorter and more affordable, and we've given special attention to guide:client:child ratios in order to make sure our trips remain low impact.

We're hoping that we can share this incredible experience with more families and inspire another generation of puffinatics.

We've put a few dates in the schedule. They'll likely book up fast.

Head to our website to book and take care to select Family Snorkelling Skomer & Skokholm.

We'll be adapting the pacing of the trip to a wider range of experience levels, so if adult company or photography is more your bag then best to stick to the longer format trips.

Team CD x

🐧🦈

26/04/2024

Fantastic initiative!

***UPDATE - Now fully booked - please complete this form to be added to the wait list - https://forms.office.com/e/kkrvjutvNB***

We're committed to improving access to our islands and have therefore introduced accessible boat trips round Skomer and Skokholm this season.

These cruises are designed for disabled people and carers/companions to be able to enjoy all that our islands have to offer. Leaving from a wheelchair-friendly jetty, you'll join our expert local guides for a two hour cruise - you'll see Puffins, Chough, Grey Seals, Guillemots and much more!

And the best bit? It's totally FREE.