There’s a lot to explore along the 157 miles of the dramatic Welsh coastline. Filled with secluded sandy beaches, rock pools and dunes, many of the best beaches remain little known and rarely visited, with hundreds of hidden coves and bays. As of 2024, 25 beaches hold Blue Flag status, and 14 have received a Green Coast award accolade.
Aberystwyth Beach
This dockside location is one of the largest towns in mid-Wales and home to the well-known university. Located in the West, the architecture of the coastal town perfectly encapsulates the essence of Wales. Get your feet dirty at this sand and shingle beach packed with plenty of fun things to do with the family. Situated right next to the town area of Aberystwyth, this mile-long seafront attracts many different guests every year, including those interested in watersports such as kayaking and windsurfing.
Why not come for a stroll or a picnic with the family, perfect for when the tide is low. With plenty of beachside entertainment including donkey rides, bandstand entertainment, and a bouncy castle, the kids will be spoilt for choice! Nearby is the iconic 90m long Royal Pier Arcade, perfect for arcade games and beachside refreshments. This used to span 242 metres, but battles with the strong currents and high tides reduced it to the length it is today.
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Barafundle Bay Beach
Barafundle Bay is an isolated sand beach located on the northernmost point of Pembrokeshire. Accessible only by the car park a mere 7 minutes walk away, you definitely won’t regret the journey when you discover this beauty. The coast 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 world, it is also secluded with no facilities so you’ll have no choice but to venture around the cliffs to Stackpole Quay and Village. They boast a selection of pubs and catering as well as being an excellent venue for keen kayakers.
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Barry Island Beach
The wave-washed Welsh coastline is at its best around the peninsula of Barry, just 20 minutes by train from Cardiff. There are several beaches in the area and a vivid history that stretches back to the Middle Ages. Barry Island is actually part of the peninsula (it used to be an island) and it’s here you’ll find the family beach resort activities to make your stay. Most of which are free! Head to Whitmore Bay Beach to test your serve on the volleyball courts. Go wild at Smuggler’s Cove pirate-themed crazy golf, or take the kids to the Pleasure Park for classic rides and sticky treats. For something a bit quieter, you can visit the remains of Barry Castle or visit the heritage railway, which houses an original steam passenger train.
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Benllech Bay
Located on the Northmost Welsh island in Anglesey, just a mere 20-minute drive from the famous town of Llanfairpwllgwyngyll sits the popular Benllech Beach. This sand-adorned beach is perfect for watersports, bathing, and paddling. 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. The beach also has excellent facilities and excellent accessibility for pram users and disabled visitors.
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Black Rock Sand Beach
Despite the name of this beach, it is, in fact, a bright and colourful beach resort. The beach is perfect for a family day out, with plenty of multicoloured rocks, low-tide rock pool caves and rich marine life. The local sand dunes have also been declared a ‘Site of Scientific Interest’. This beach is greatly popular with motorboaters, water bikes and sandcastle builders that each have their own designated beach area. There are plenty of toilet and parking amenities on-site, but also not far from the beach are plenty of refreshment amenities.
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Broad Haven South
Leading straight from the National Trust’s Bosherston Lakes lies this sandy Welsh 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 that run along the southern side of the beach. There are also plenty of good spots for the daredevils among you who may want to try coasteering!
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Castle Beach
This beach is definitely unique for its structure, with the beach being split in two at low tide to make way for St Catherine’s Island and a very old fort. As the Sunday Times’ Beach of the Year 2019, this beach is not only popular for its reputation but its strange architecture. 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 also connects directly to South Beach with its sloping band of dry sand land.
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Caswell Bay Beach
This Swansea Bay beach, perfect for surfers and families, should definitely be on your beach list. As well as having a stunning view and golden sand as far as the eye can see, the coast also has won awards such as the Blue Flag Award and the Seaside Award. There are also plenty of amenities at arm’s reach, such as toilets and showers, wheelchair access to the beach level, and refreshment stands. 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
Less secluded, but still quiet, Cefyn Sidan is a large stretch of beach in the Pembrey County Park, Wales. The 8 mile long stretch of beach 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, those easily bored might like to 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 Beach
Located right at the northernmost point of Wales, this bay beach is perfect if you like rockpools. The sand and shingle beach is ideal for both relaxing in the sun, and adventurers, with plenty of caves and rock pools for kids to discover some creatures. The seaside is also popular with recreational windsurfers 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 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 the scove of Pembrokeshire is perfect for anyone looking for a remote getaway. With a strong current causing harsh waves, it’s recommended that only strong swimmers take to the sea at this beach. The shore is expansive and homes several sandy dunes, making it perfect for relaxing and picnics away with the whole family. You might even recognise this beach – it was the beach where Dobby was buried in Harry Potter, attracting visitors from all over the world! Walk in the footsteps of the famous in Pembrokeshire’s Hollywood trail.
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Harlech Beach
This sand beach lies as a reminder of the Harlech Castle, a mighty World Heritage Site. The beach near the tide lays flat, whereas other areas are populated with prize-winning sand dunes that made the beach a recognised National Nature Reserve. It is an ideal place for both relaxing and water activities, attracting visitors all year round. There are plenty of local amenities, such as a shop, café, and the Royal St David’s Golf Club, one of Wales’ finest 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. Stretching over a mile long, this sandy shore is renowned for its sporting popularity, with many visiting for windsurfing, kayaking and sailing. Why not visit the coast for a nice walk along the beautiful beach, or come for a day out to relax by the shore with the dog! There are plenty of gorgeous sites in the area to see, including their iconic multicoloured beach huts along the sand, the Llanbedrog Tin Man statue, and even the stone platform above the Llanbedrog River, the ideal spot for coasteering. The beach huts, owned by the National Trust, are available to rent through the summer months and contain a family fun adventure pack perfect for the little ones.
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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 Warren National Nature Reserve, this narrow island is the ideal location if you’re looking for a place to have a picnic or relax with the family. It is also perfect for little explorers with plenty of rockery crops, sand dunes and historic buildings, including the famous Llanddwyn Lighthouse. Many of the local sights are very significant and attract visitors from all over due to their significance to the Welsh Patron Saint. 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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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 Welsh 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. This 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 they have amusements galore. Explore their array of beachside entertainment and perhaps have a wander down the pier and win a prize. This amazing undiscovered town is perfect for a busy or a quiet day away with the family.
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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. The beach sits just in front of the cliffside containing many interesting secrets and rock formations alike. Because of the beach’s rocky nature, 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. The site has a coastside café and toilets stocked with refreshments and bites to eat if you’re looking to stay more than a few hours. Why not take a venture from the beach into Marloes Village which has a wide variety of entertainment, pubs and restaurants serving up dishes fresh from the seaside.
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Poppit Sands Beach
This expansive beach 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! The beach is the end of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, a famous path that loops you around Pembrokeshire and the cost 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. The beach also won the Blue Flag Award in 2021.
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Rhossili Bay Beach
Rhossili Bay’s multi-award winning beach has three miles of golden sands and is a playground for walkers, water sports enthusiasts and sandcastle builders alike. Voted as one of the World’s Top 10 Beaches by TripAdvisor, Rhossili’s prehistoric history is clear to see in the pirate bay-style outcrops and sheer cliffs, while the Downs offer a dreamlike view of the beach. With all sorts of nooks and crannies for exploration, clean sand you’ll want to wiggle your toes in, and plenty of water sports plus hang gliding, 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 to 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. The beach land itself widens at low tide, making for an excellent place to relax for the day or maybe bring a picnic. 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 many sports performed there as well, including fishing, surfing (normal and kite) and cycling. The area is well renowned for its place 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 right in the cove of Pembrokeshire. The beach is well known for being an extremely wide sandy beach at low tide but still has plenty of room at high tide. Along with a stunning harbourfront and gorgeous views from along the connecting hills, this beach is well known for hosting regular events such as The World Cawl cooking championships. At the height of summer, you’ll find the beach swarming with families looking for a fun walk along the coast or maybe a fun-filled day away. The beach has plenty of nearby facilities, such as toilets, cafés, pubs and an ice cream van perfect for family visits. There is also a large car park right next to the harbour. Nearby in Saundersfoot Bay, there is a range of things to do perfectly for visitors such as timely events and activities, shopping and restaurants.
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Tenby North Beach
Tenby, a seaside town in southwest Wales is home to many beautiful beaches, but none are as well regarded as Castle Beach. Voted Sunday Times’ Beach of the Year in 2019, Castle Beach is a perfect summer destination for the whole family with plenty of sand to play in, spectacular views out to Caldey Island and all the traditional beach grub you can get your hands on. The town itself has a cosy coastal feel with restaurants, pubs and indie 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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Three Cliffs Bay
This stunning cliffside beach offers a unique and wild experience. As well as being located right in the ocean cove of Gower, this beach features stunning sand dunes, a salt marsh and three signature limestone cliffs. This location is perfect for anyone travelling solo or someone looking for more of an adventure, with plenty to see and do. But be aware that any sort of water activity is advised against due to the strong tides and currents in this area.
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 many different tourist attractions locally caused by the stream, such as the Stepping Stones and the Stone Spiral not far north from the coast. 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 hardly any visitors throughout the year 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 photographs and keep your boots firmly on the ground, 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 the country. With fine white sand and a rocky promontory nearby, this beach is perfect for a visit if you’re on your way through Pembrokeshire or looking for somewhere adventurous to visit. On days of high tide, the beach will be packed with canoeists, surfers and bodybuilders looking for the best waves. The site has excellent amenities, such as nearby toilets, excellent disabled access and a café serving refreshments and nibbles. Why not wander over into the famous city of St Davids – home to St David’s Cathedral, a very integral part of Welsh heritage.
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Ynyslas Beach
Three miles of stunning sandy beach lay 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 sand dunes lay just south of the Dyfi estuary and are the largest in the county. They are also home to many different species of wildlife such as mosses, fungi, insects and flowers, many of which have made the dunes their own ecosystem! With plenty of nearby 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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