Where to holiday in South Wales?

[Lovelyview]

Family of 4 dh, me, dd (21) ds (15). Looking to stay in self catering for a week in Wales next summer. We like small towns with stuff to do, dh likes cycling and we usually do an activity like stand up paddle boarding and some days out (walks to waterfalls, etc). Dolphin spotting would be ideal. Can anyone recommend a nice town to stay in? Prefer somewhere pretty with nice cafes, bookshops, that sort of thing.

Have a look at the Amroth / Saundersfoot area.

it’s a bit of a drive to waterfalls but ticks your boxes otherwise

Thanks! The waterfalls aren't essential! 🙂

Tenby probably. Most other places are fairly small. New Quay Ceredigion is nice but not Tenby. Saundersfoot is nice and quieter.

We stayed ⬇️ and it was great - did lots of swimming and also tried paddle boarding. There’s a surf school based at the next beach. It’s also a short walk into the village and also there are loads of other bays, beaches and sights within an easy drive.
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St Davids is lovely. You can do water based activities here and the coast is beautiful. Lots of companies around and you can do boat trips as well. Further up stay in Newport, fab beach and you can do kayaking in Fishguard as well as boat trips. Walk the Preseli hills.

I’d go for Fishguard. Dolphins can be seen between Poppit and Fishguard. They sometimes come into Fishguard harbour and Newport Bay and there are some dolphin spotting boat trips which leave from that section of coast. Fishguard is also not too far from Cenarth Falls. You can do kayak tours and SUPs from the harbour, and there’s a lovely bookshop called Seaways in the town.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll do some investigating.

More west than south wales, but Amroth, Solva, Narberth, St Davids, Laugharne. Tenby is a bit more touristy but fun.

St. Davids/Solva is perfect.

The roads are great for cycling and on the cycle network.

We take our own paddleboards and paddle either from Solva or Abercastle. The coastline is spectacular.

There are a few coasteering companies - we did a morning in Abereiddy at The Blue Lagoon. It's a perfect teen/parent activity.

You can hire paddleboards from a company in St. Davids if you haven't got any.

Plus the coastal walks are fantastic. You can walk to a coastal pub and then get the bus back to your accommodation.

Tenby is great but there are just too many people for me.