There’s a lot to explore along the 1,680 miles of the Welsh coastline 🏖️
From secluded sandy beaches to fascinating rock pools and sand dunes, many of the best beaches in Wales remain little known and rarely visited. As of 2025, 21 beaches hold Blue Flag status, and 13 have received a Green Coast award.
Whether you are looking for the windswept majesty of Pembrokeshire, the rugged cliffs of the Llŷn Peninsula or the expansive golden sands of Gower, a beach break in Wales offers an escape that feels both wild and restorative.
Check out our guide to the best beaches in Wales below!
Aberystwyth Beach
Located in west Wales, the coastal town of Aberystwyth perfectly encapsulates the essence of Cymru. This mile-long sand and shingle beach attracts plenty of watersports enthusiasts throughout the year, covering everything from kayaking and paddleboarding to windsurfing and bodyboarding.
Plus, there’s lots of beachside entertainment, including donkey rides, bandstand music and seasonal activities – the kids will be spoilt for choice! Nearby is the iconic 90m long Royal Pier Arcade, perfect for classic arcade games and beachside refreshments.
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Barafundle Bay Beach
Barafundle Bay is a secluded sand beach located on the northernmost point of Pembrokeshire. Accessible only by the car park, a 7-minute walk away, you definitely won’t regret the journey when you discover this beauty spot.
Barafundle Bay Beach is often compared to the Caribbean with its golden sand and clear ocean waves. As well as being one of the most popular beaches in the UK, it is also very remote, so please be aware that there are no official facilities! However, if you venture around the cliffs, you’ll find Stackpole Quay and Village, with the cosy Boathouse Tea-room. Plus, if you’re a lover of history, check out the 18th century stone walls bordering the cliffs.
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Barry Island Beach
If you’re looking for sun, sea and a dash of nostalgia, the wave-washed Welsh coastline is at its absolute best around the Barry peninsula. Just a 20-minute train journey from Cardiff, this spot seamlessly blends a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages with the classic seaside energy that’s perfect for a summer escape. While it used to be a true island, Barry Island is now the heart of the peninsula, and it’s where you’ll find all the family-friendly action that makes a trip here so memorable.
If you’re feeling competitive, you can go wild at Smuggler’s Cove for some pirate-themed adventure golf or treat the kids (and your inner child!) to the classic rides and sticky treats at the iconic Pleasure Park. For those craving a quieter vibe, take a stroll back in time at the ruins of Barry Castle.
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Benllech Bay
Situated on the northern Welsh island of Anglesey, just a 20-minute drive from the famous town of Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, sits the hugely popular Benllech Beach. This sandy beach is perfect for fans of watersports, swimmers and paddlers alike.
At the low tide, the sandy shore stretches for many miles along the coast, making it ideal for a walk with the dog or for the kids to play to their heart’s content. And best of all, Benllech Bay also has excellent facilities and accessibility for pram and wheelchair users.
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Black Rock Sands
Despite the name of this beach, Black Rock Sands is actually one of Wales’ brightest and most colourful beach resorts. This beach is perfect for a family day out, with plenty of fascinating coloured rocks, low-tide rock pool caves and rich marine life.
The local dunes have also been declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) with a fascinating ecosystem that supports countless wildlife habitats. Black Rock Sands is hugely popular with jet skiing, kitesurfing, bodyboarding and (of course) sandcastle builders. There are also plenty of toilets and parking amenities on-site, as well as refreshment amenities just a short walk away.
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Broad Haven South Beach
Leading straight from the National Trust Bosherston Lily Ponds lies the sandy Broad Haven South Beach. This stunning dune beach is perfect for a picnic or a lounge in the sand if you’re looking to visit for the day. The shore is accessible through the car park above the beach, just next to the facilities that accommodate pushchairs and wheelchairs.
Explore the coast’s boulders and caves, and maybe take a walk and reach the lily ponds just northwest of the beach near the town of Bosherston. There are also plenty of good spots for any daredevils who may want to try coasteering!
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Castle Beach
Castle Beach is hugely popular for its scenic and intimate aesthetic alongside unique architecture. With its one-of-a-kind shape, the beach is split in two at low tide to make way for St Catherine’s Island and an empty 19th-century fort (which was also previously a zoo). You can access the fort from the stone gateway of tarmac running down from the stranded island.
Castle Beach is the smallest of the three beaches in Tenby, measuring only 150m wide and even narrower at high tide. When the tides are low, it connects directly to Tenby’s South Beach with its sloping band of dry sand.
Tenby itself has a cosy coastal feel with restaurants, cafés and independent shops dotted around the narrow paved streets. Once you’ve taken in the sights and sounds of the town, head over to the colourful harbourside where you can hop aboard one of the boats and sail off to Caldey Island, an island oasis where you can relax and watch the seabirds fly by or have a peek into the ornate Cathedral.
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Caswell Bay
This Swansea Bay beach, perfect for surfers and families, should definitely be on your beach bucket list. Featuring stunning views and golden sand as far as the eye can see, this piece of the coast has won countless awards, such as the Blue Flag Award, the Seaside Award and even World’s Happiest Beaches for 2025.
There are also plenty of amenities at arm’s reach, such as toilets and showers, wheelchair access to the beach level and refreshment pop-ups. If you’re down for the day, why not have a stroll around the local village for some ice cream at the coastline, just a short 10-minute drive away.
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Cefn Sidan Sands
Cefyn Sidan is an 8-mile-long stretch of beach that is quieter the further you get away from the car park. So if you’re willing to walk, you may end up feeling like the only one on the beach! As well as the sea, sand and dunes, the nearby Pembrey Ski and Activity Centre has everything to keep the whole family busy. Have a go at dry slope skiing, ride on the longest toboggan in Wales, go wild with crazy golf and keep active on numerous cycle and adventure trails.
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Cemaes Bay (Traeth Mawr) Beach
Located right at the northernmost point of Wales, this Cemaes Bay (also known as Traeth Mawr) is perfect if you love rock pools. This sand and shingle beach is ideal for both relaxing in the sun and coastal adventurers, with plenty of caves and rock pools for kids to discover sea life and creatures.
Cemaes Bay is super popular with kayakers, stand-up paddleboarders and jet skiers, depending on the tide. Walk along the beach to spot the bay filled with sailboats, and you might even spot an abandoned boat upon the sand further west down the coast! The beach is also close to all facilities, such as toilets and a café serving refreshments.
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Freshwater West Beach
This stunning sand and rock beach, located in Pembrokeshire, is perfect for anyone looking for a remote getaway. With a strong current causing harsh waves, Freshwater West Beach is only recommended for experienced surfers and swimmers.
The shore is expansive and homes several sandy dunes, making it perfect for relaxing and picnicking with the whole family. You might even recognise this beach from the big screen! – Freshwater West Beach is featured in the ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Pt. 1&2’ films, attracting visitors from all over the world! Plus, you can also walk in the footsteps of the famous on Pembrokeshire’s Hollywood trail.
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Harlech Beach
This sand beach lies within the Snowdonia National Park, with the stoic Harlech Castle overlooking the dunes. Harlech Beach’s award-winning sand dunes make this beach a recognised National Nature Reserve – an ideal place for relaxing, exploration and water activities.
There are plenty of local amenities, such as a shop, café, and the Royal St David’s Golf Club, one of Wales’ finest golf courses.
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Llanbedrog Beach
Located between the popular seaside resorts of Abersoch and Pwllheli lies the most sheltered beach in North Wales. Llanbedrog Beach stretches over a mile long and is renowned for its multi-coloured beach huts, watersport activities (including windsurfing, kayaking and sailing) and gorgeous views of Snowdonia and Cardigan Bay.
There are plenty of gorgeous spots to see, including the iconic Llanbedrog Tin Man statue and the stone platform above the Llanbedrog River, the ideal spot for coasteering. The beach huts, owned by the National Trust, are available to rent throughout the summer months!
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Llanddwyn Beach, Newborough Forest
If you’re looking for stunning views of Snowdonia and the Llyn Peninsula, look no further than Llanddwyn Beach. As part of the Newborough National Nature Reserve and Forest, this narrow island is the ideal location if you’re looking for a place to have a picnic or relax with the family.
Llanddwyn Beach is also perfect for little explorers with plenty of rockery crops, dunes and historic buildings, including the famous Llanddwyn Lighthouse. This beach is stocked well with plenty of local amenities, such as toilets and a nearby car park. Paths from the beachfront lead to the picturesque nature reserve at Llanddwyn Island and the nearby forest, full of wildlife and a variety of plants and shrubbery.
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Ready to discover the very best of North Wales? Check out our 5 reasons to visit North Wales in summer here.
Llandudno West Shore Beach
With two opposite beaches sitting on the coast, Llandudno is one of the best places to visit in Wales to get a feel of the Welsh seaside. Over on the West Shore Beach, it is much quieter, making it perfect for those looking to explore the beauty of the town and relax in the sand. The beach faces Conwy Bay, and when at low tide, makes for a stunning view of the sandy stretch.
West Shore Beach is also popular for its wind sports, including kite-flyers and surfers coming from all over to visit the beach. There are plenty of local amenities, including parking and toilets right by the beach, and a café serving ice cream and refreshments. If you’re visiting for a stroll, why not have a wander down the Wales Coast Path, famous for its stunning views, or perhaps trek up the Great Orme headland, a National Conservation site filled with creatures and wildlife. You can also travel the short 4 minutes to the North Shore side, where there’s beachside entertainment and amusements galore.
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Marloes Sands
Marloes Sands is an expansive beach covered in golden sands that stretches for over a mile down the coast of Pembrokeshire. Because of the beach’s rocky nature, interesting secrets and rock formations alike, at low tide, there are often small pockets and tidepools dotted around the western end of the beach, perfect for anyone looking to discover some critters.
Marloes Sands also has on-site toilets and a coastside café stocked with refreshments and bites to eat if you’re looking to stay in the evening. Why not take a venture from the beach into Marloes Village, which has a variety of pubs and restaurants serving up dishes fresh from the seaside.
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Poppit Sands Beach
Poppit Sands Beach is an expansive beach that rolls from sandy shores into green grassland dunes, backed by the Teifi Estuary. At low tide, the trail from the beachside to Gwbert is visible along the sand and makes for a gorgeous photo – just don’t attempt to cross it!
Poppit Sands Beach sits at the end of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, a famous path that loops you around Pembrokeshire and the coast of Amroth. If you’re visiting to play in the sand or relax with the family, then you’ve come to the right place, with a long bay and a wide span of sandy area to set up camp. Poppit Sands Beach has also won the Blue Flag Award for three years in a row!
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Rhossili Bay Beach
Rhossili Bay’s multi-award-winning beach is home to three miles of golden sands and is a renowned playground for walkers, watersport lovers and sandcastle builders alike. Awarded the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award and voted one of the best beaches in the world, Rhossili’s prehistoric history is clear to see in the pirate bay-style outcrops and sheer cliffs.
With all sorts of nooks and crannies for exploration as well as plenty of clean sand and watersports to discover, Rhossili really is the big-name beach to star in your next trip away.
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Rhyl Beach
This sandy beach extends for almost two miles between the Clwyd Estuary and Splash Point in central Rhyl. Located right at the top of North Wales, this beach is bordered by a promenade and has an expansive resort area. Expanding at low tide, Rhyl Beach makes for an excellent place to relax for the day. The area is also popular due to its range of seaside activities, including swimming, paddling, donkey rides and more.
Why not try out some of the more adventurous activities too, including surfing, kite surfing, fishing and cycling. The area is well known for its location on National Cycle Route 5, which follows the coast of North Wales running down Rhyl’s promenade.
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Saundersfoot Beach
This small yet popular seaside resort resides in the cove of Pembrokeshire. Well known for being an extremely wide sandy beach at low tide, Saundersfoot Beach has plenty of room for beachside fun at high tide too. Along with a stunning harbourfront and gorgeous views from along the connecting hills, Saundersfoot Beach hosts regular events, including Sunset Cinema, Dog Shows, Musical Tribute Nights and even a New Year’s Day Swim.
At the height of summer, you’ll find the beach packed with families enjoying a fun-filled beach getaway. The beach has plenty of nearby facilities, such as toilets, cafés, pubs and ice cream vans, perfect for family visits, plus there is a large car park right next to the harbour. Nearby in Saundersfoot Bay, there is a range of shopping and restaurant options for those looking for a break from the sandcastles!
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Three Cliffs Bay
This stunning cliffside beach is home to a wild beach experience. As well as being located right in the ocean cove of Gower, this beach features stunning dunes, a salt marsh and three signature limestone cliffs.
Emerging from the tide is a winding river that runs for miles past Pennard Castle and makes for a gorgeous walk upstream. There are also various attractions locally caused by the stream, such as the Stepping Stones and the Stone Spiral, not far north of the coast. However, please note there are limited facilities nearby and no car park locally, so we recommend venturing into a nearby village if you’re visiting for the day.
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Traeth Abermenai
Also known as Traeth Melynog, this sandy beach is not to be confused with the distant favourite, Llanddwyn Beach in Newborough Forest. This quaint beach is one of beauty and tranquillity with a secluded atmosphere, making it the perfect area if you’re looking for a beach that isn’t overcrowded.
Surrounded by wet sand and salt marshes, this area has the appearance of a river mouth at low tides. However, caution is advised while walking or entering the water at Abermenai, as the tides and currents are very strong if you stray out too far onto the sandy beach. If you’re looking to take some gorgeous coastal photographs without lots of crowds, then this is the beach for you.
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Whitesands Bay
This gorgeous cove beach, overlooked by the craggy hill of Carn Llidi, is one of the best surfing beaches in Wales. With fine white sand and a rocky promontory nearby, Whitesands Bay is perfect for surfers touring the country’s favourite beach spots.
On days of high tide, the beach will be packed with canoeists, surfers and bodyboarders looking for the best waves. Whitesands Bay also has excellent amenities, such as nearby toilets, excellent accessibility and a café serving refreshments and light bites.
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Ynyslas Beach
Three miles of stunning sandy beach lie at the coast of Borth, brimming with wildlife and shrubbery. Just on the southern side of the Dyfi Estuary and National Nature Reserve, this beach is the perfect location for walks, picnics and windsurfing.
The award-winning dunes, located south of the Dyfi estuary, are an incredible sight to behold and home to many different species of wildlife, including mosses, fungi, insects and wildflowers – many of which have made the dunes their own ecosystem! With plenty of amenities such as car parking, a visitor centre and accessible toilets nearby, you can spend many hours photographing and taking in this gorgeous beach.
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