Catch a thermal above Newgale, soar the coastal ridge at Freshwater West, and see Pembrokeshire from an angle most people never will. Tandem flights, taster days and full BHPA pilot training.
Paragliding is about as close as most of us will get to proper unassisted flight. You launch from a coastal slope, work the rising air you can't see, and fly quietly above a landscape that very few people ever see from up there. Pembrokeshire's coast gives reliable ridge lift and sea breezes, and the views (Newgale's mile-long beach, the cliffs above Freshwater West) are pretty hard to beat.
Pembrokeshire Paragliding has been flying this coast for over two decades. They're a BHPA-registered school (the British Hang gliding and Paragliding Association sets the training and safety standards for the sport in the UK). If you fancy a 30-minute tandem flight to see what the fuss is about, or you want to earn your own wings through a proper pilot course, they're the people to talk to.
One thing that sets them apart: they have access to multiple coastal sites including Newgale, Freshwater West and Marros, and use beach dune training when conditions suit, which very few schools anywhere in the UK can offer. They also deliberately take on only a small number of students each year, so you actually get to fly rather than stand around watching.
The practical bits worth knowing before your paragliding experience.
Tandem flights typically last 25–30 minutes and include a free video of your flight.
Flying is weather dependent. Sessions are booked flexibly and rescheduled if conditions aren't suitable.
Tandem flights require no fitness. For pilot courses moderate fitness helps, as you'll be carrying kit to launch sites.
All paragliding equipment is provided. Wear warm layers, sturdy footwear and bring waterproofs.
Year-round activity. Spring and early summer tend to offer the most reliable flying conditions.
Tandem passenger maximum weight is 90kg. No upper age limit, so children and older adults are welcome.
A first tandem flight, a taster day, or a full BHPA pilot qualification.
Fly with an experienced pilot, no experience needed. Includes a free video of your flight. Typically 25–30 minutes soaring above the Pembrokeshire coast.
A full introduction to paragliding for first-timers. Kit familiarisation, safety briefing, then your first solo glides at low level under close supervision.
Full BHPA Elementary and Club Pilot courses. Progressive training from ground level to soaring flight, with theory on meteorology, airlaw and site assessment.
Newgale is the primary flying site, with Freshwater West, Marros and other coastal locations used depending on wind direction and conditions.
Contact Pembrokeshire Paragliding directly to discuss dates, availability and the right experience for you.
ℹ️ Paragliding bookings are handled directly with the provider. Pembrokeshire Adventure just puts you in touch with the local school.
None whatsoever. A tandem flight means you fly with an experienced, licensed pilot who handles everything: launching, flying and landing. You just enjoy the view. No training or preparation is needed beforehand.
Paragliding, like all adventure sports, carries inherent risk, but a BHPA-registered school with experienced instructors manages that risk carefully. Pembrokeshire Paragliding follows BHPA safety standards for all flights and courses. They keep a close eye on the weather, and sessions are postponed or rescheduled whenever conditions aren't right.
The Elementary Pilot course is typically completed over several days. The Club Pilot course (the next level, which allows you to fly independently at club sites) takes longer and is usually spread over multiple sessions across a season. The school only takes on around 20 students per year, which means you can train at your own pace rather than competing for slots.
Paragliding is weather dependent and the school is realistic about this. They have access to multiple sites (Newgale, Freshwater West, Marros and others), so if one spot isn't flying, there's usually an alternative. If none of them is flyable, sessions are rescheduled. Contact the school when you enquire and they'll explain how their flexible booking system works.
The school is based in St Dogmaels and operates from multiple coastal sites across Pembrokeshire. Newgale is the primary location, with Freshwater West, Marros and other sites used depending on wind direction and conditions on the day.
Yes, children are welcome on tandem flights. The key constraint is the 90kg passenger weight limit, not age. Contact the school directly to discuss minimum ages and any specific requirements for younger passengers.
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