Abereiddi Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon at Abereiddi is one of Pembrokeshire's most photogenic set-pieces: a flooded former slate quarry whose water glows an unreal turquoise, separated from the sea by a thin breached wall and ringed by the stone shells of old quarry buildings. From the air the colour contrast against the dark cliffs and the grey Atlantic is superb, and you can pull back to take in the black-sand beach and the coast path snaking north to Porthgain. Park in the beach car park and walk up to the lagoon; take-off from open ground above the beach works well. This coast is National Trust land, which does not permit take-off or landing from its property, so launch from the public beach or lane and keep flights considerate. It sits within Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and well outside any flight restriction zone, with Haverfordwest airfield some fifteen kilometres away. In summer the lagoon is packed with coasteering groups and cliff jumpers, so fly early or off-season and never hover over people in the water. Nesting seabirds use these cliffs in spring, so give them space. Golden hour lights the western cliffs beautifully.