The following list highlights some of the best beaches in Wales. So if you are in Wales, I recommend visiting the following:
The Best Beaches in Caernarfonshire
Porth Lago, Pwllheli
Address – Porth Iago, Pwllheli, Wales
Google Maps Link – 52°51’04.1″N 4°43’21.9″W
Porth Lago is located in Pwllheli, to the western coast of the Llŷn Peninsula, in the North Wales region. This is a small but wide sandy beach, with towering cliffs on both sides covered in lush vegetation giving off stunning views. The water is crystal clear, with some small fish making it perfect for snorkeling. The descent from the top of the hills, where the parking space is, is rather steep. You can hike around the top of the verdant hills to get the most breathtaking views over the sea and the beach. Porth Lago is a hidden treasure, a quiet and peaceful spot that never gets crowded, with only a camping site at the top of the hill.
The Best Beaches in Dyfed
Mwnt Beach, Ceredigion
Address – Mwnt Beach, Ceredigion, Wales
Google Maps Link – 52°08’08.7″N 4°38’26.3″W
Mwnt Beach is located in Ceredigion, in the Mid Wales region. A small but wide sandy beach, dog-friendly and with stunning views during the day and at sunset. The waves are strong enough to practice surfing, and with luck, you can spot dolphins swimming by. At the top of the cliff, there is a small kiosk offering snacks, drinks and beach supplies. There are over 100 steps to climb down in order to arrive at the beach. It gets busy on weekends, and being so small it can feel too crowded; arrive early in the morning to avoid the crowd. Keep in mind that, during high season, dogs are not allowed into the beach.
Aberporth Beach, Ceredigion
Address – Aberporth Beach, Ceredigion, Wales
Google Maps Link – 52°08’05.2″N 4°32’44.0″W
Aberporth Beach is located in Ceredigion, in the Mid Wales region. This small sandy beach, surrounded with verdant hills and grassy areas, is dog-friendly and a lovely place to visit with family or relax on your own. The water has a bright blue shade, with great waves for bodyboarding; with lifeguards on duty and rock pools around, the beach is safe for everyone to swim. There is a restaurant, a bar, and a couple of cafes nearby, where you can get drinks, full meals or snacks, and ice cream for great prices. Keep in mind that finding a parking spot might be difficult on busy days.
Penbryn Beach, Ceredigion
Address – Penbryn Beach, Ceredigion, Wales
Google Maps Link – 52°08’37.2″N 4°29’50.5″W
Penbryn Beach is located in Ceredigion, in the Mid Wales region. An extensive sandy beach with pebbled areas, clear waters and backdropped with verdant hills. Penbryn Beach has caves on both sides that you can explore, and small fish you can spot while snorkeling. Half of the beach is dog-friendly, while the other half isn’t; keep this in mind when letting dogs run freely. At the parking space, you can find a small cafe offering warm drinks and ice cream. Penbryn Beach is usually peaceful and quiet, never gets too crowded, making it the perfect getaway from busy days.
The Best Beaches in Glamorgan
Southerndown Beach, Bridgend
Address – Southerndown Beach, Bridgend, Wales
Google Maps Link – 51°26’44.3″N 3°36’27.3″W
Dunraven Bay is located in Bridgend, in the South Wales region. A stunning sandy beach with pebbled areas, backdropped with towering cliffs, and offering unforgettable sunset views. At high tide, the waves are great for surfing, and at low tide it is safe for everyone to swim, with rock pools for small kids. There is a small cafe where you can get drinks and snacks; with tables near the parking space, picnics with a stunning scenic view are a must. The beach is popular and can get busy, but it is extensive enough to allow space for everyone.
The Best Beaches in Pembrokeshire
Barafundle Bay Beach, Pembrokeshire
Address – Barafundle Bay Beach, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Google Maps Link – 51°37’05.6″N 4°54’14.5″W
Barafundle Bay Beach is located in Pembrokeshire, in the westernmost part of the South Wales region. With its soft, golden sand, enclosed by verdant hills, this wide beach is the perfect getaway for a relaxing day off. You can explore farther from the shore on a kayak, go paddle boarding on the shallow water, or walk your dog along the soft sand. Being in a national park, the beach can’t be reached by car; a short walk from the parking space and some steps down from the cliff take you to the stunning beach. There is a dog-friendly cafe near the parking space, offering great food, drinks and ice cream.
Broad Haven South Beach, Pembrokeshire
Address – Broad Haven South Beach, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Google Maps Link – 51°36’33.1″N 4°55’11.2″W
Broad Haven South Beach is located in Pembrokeshire, in the westernmost part of the South Wales region. A wide, flat beach, with shallow waters that cover most of the sand during high tide. However, at low tide, the beach is uncovered and there are rock pools where kids can safely swim. However, the waves can be big and too strong to swim, but perfect for surfing. Broad Haven South Beach allows dogs in during off season, when it is far less busy. There are a couple of small cafes in the area, with great food and refreshing drinks.
Marloes Sands Beach, Pembrokeshire
Address – Marloes Sands Beach, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Google Maps Link – 51°43’24.4″N 5°12’56.9″W
Marloes Sands Beach is located in Pembrokeshire, in the westernmost part of the South Wales region. This remote beach, enclosed by towering cliffs, offers stunning views and a relaxing atmosphere. Marloes Sands Beach is both sandy and rocky, only accessible during low tide. There is a short walk from the parking space to arrive at the beach, plus a short walk down from the top of the cliff. It can get crowded in the afternoon, even though there are no facilities or dining places around. Arrive early in the morning to enjoy a quiet beach, and make sure to bring everything you might need.
Freshwater West Beach, Pembrokeshire
Address – Freshwater West Beach, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Google Maps Link – 51°39’27.2″N 5°03’38.2″W
Freshwater Water Beach is located in Pembrokeshire, in the westernmost part of the South Wales region. With soft sand and sharp rocks, this isolated wide beach is backdropped with sand dunes and hit by strong winds. These strong winds create equally strong waves, turning Freshwater West Beach into a challenge even for professional surfers. Of course, it’s not suitable for beginners. Freshwater West Beach is popular among Harry Potter fans, for being the iconic place where Dobby the house-elf took his last breath. The beach is not a touristy place, and there are no facilities or restaurants nearby.
Whitesands Beach, Pembrokeshire
Address – Whitesands Beach, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Google Maps Link – 51°53’45.3″N 5°17’44.8″W
Westsands Beach is located in Pembrokeshire, in the westernmost part of the South Wales region. With soft sands and a pebbly area, this quiet beach is the perfect spot to spend a relaxing day. The water has a beautiful blue shade, and great waves for those taking their first surfing steps. There are rock pools around, and with lifeguards on duty, the beach is safe for everyone. Besides, the views from and around the beach are breathtaking, turning a beach walk into an unforgettable experience. There is a souvenir shop/cafe at the beach, where you can get a warm coffee or a snack. Westsands Beach is never crowded, and the atmosphere is always quiet and peaceful.
Poppit Sands Beach, Pembrokeshire
Address – Poppit Sands Beach, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Google Maps Link – 52°06’21.7″N 4°41’50.7″W
Poppit Sands Beach is located in Pembrokeshire, in the westernmost part of the South Wales region. This long beach, with beautiful sand dunes and scenic views just as beautiful, is a favorite spot among surfers. The area to the right is a dog-friendly spot, long enough for walking and running. There are lifeguards on duty, and during low tide, there are rock pools where children can swim safely. At the beach shop in the area, you can find beach supplies you might need, as well as drinks and snacks. Poppit Sands Beach is usually quiet and never gets too crowded, making it the perfect spot for a relaxing day off.
Newgale Sands Beach, Newgale
Address – Newgale Sands Beach, Newgale, Wales
Google Maps Link – 51°51’08.6″N 5°07’29.7″W
Newgale Sands is located in Newgale, in Pembrokeshire, the westernmost part of the South Wales region. This long stretch of both sand and pebbles offers stunning views, with a relaxing atmosphere. The waves are great for surfing, and with a surf shop at the beach, you can get your first lessons and all the supplies you need. During low tide, the sand is uncovered and the beach becomes over 100 meters wide, with rock pools and shallow water. An area of Newgale Beach is dog-friendly, extensive enough for them to run freely. There are two cafes in the area, as well as a camping site.
Skrinkle Haven Beach, Pembrokeshire
Address – Skrinkle Haven Beach, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Google Maps Link – 51°38’30.5″N 4°46’38.7″W
Skrinkle Haven Beach is located in Pembrokeshire, in the westernmost part of the South Wales region. This remote beach is a hidden gem, and being enclosed with rocky cliffs, it is the perfect quiet getaway. Skrinkle Haven Beach is divided by a limestone ridge into two beaches: a rocky one and a sandy one. There is a flight of steps that you need to climb down from the top of the cliff to arrive at the rocky beach. During low tide, you can walk to the sandy beach; make sure to check when the tide is out. There is a camping site at the top of the cliff, where you can walk around and admire the stunning views.
Manorbier Beach, Pembrokeshire
Address – Manorbier Beach, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Google Maps Link – 51°38’33.4″N 4°48’12.6″W
Manorbrier Beach is located in Pembrokeshire, in the westernmost part of the South Wales region. A small, dog-friendly beach with both pebbles and soft sand, quiet and empty almost all year long. At high tide, the waves are great for surfing, and during the low tide, the rock pools in the area make it safe for kids to swim. The peaceful atmosphere is great for picnics and barbecues with family or friends; besides, there is a bar nearby and an ice cream truck parked at the beach some days. A short walk takes you to Manorbier Beach from the parking space, and the castle nearby is a highlight that you must visit before going to the beach.
The Best Beaches in Swansea
Rhossili Bay Beach, Rhossili
Address – Rhossili Bay Beach, Rhossili, Wales
Google Maps Link – 51°34’50.4″N 4°17’23.6″W
Rhossili Bay Beach is located in Rhossili, in the South Wales region. Soft sand, shallow water, fast winds and stunning scenery, this extensive dog-friendly beach is a must while in Wales. The fast winds create perfect waves for surfing and bodyboarding, also making the beach a top landing spot for paragliding. To get to Rhossili Bay Beach, there is a fairly steep walk down from the top of the hills, and there are many other hiking trails around. The beach faces the west perfectly, giving some of the most beautiful sunset views. Of course, it can get busy during the summer season, however, it is long and wide enough to allow space for everyone.
Caswell Beach, Gower
Address – Caswell Beach, Gower, Wales
Google Maps Link – 51°34’10.4″N 4°02’00.1″W
Caswell Beach is located in the Gower Peninsula, in the South Wales region. With clear waters and golden sand, this wide beach is perfect to spend a day off with friends or family. The water has strong waves, perfect for surfing, and with a surf school operating all year long, you can get your first lessons here. During low tide, there are rock pools where small kids can safely swim. There are a couple of shops at the entrance where you can get food, drinks and ice cream, as well as beach supplies. The beach is rather popular, and being so small, it can feel crowded at midday and afternoon.