Our guide to the best beaches in Wales

Wales has an incredible coastline with some of the world’s best beaches. If you’re travelling to Wales and are keen to visit a beach during your stay, look no further than this handy guide. From watersports to wildlife, family days out to adventures with your dog, we have picked the best beaches in Wales that offer fantastic fun for all your interests.

Best family beaches

Boasting a distinct and eye-catching collection of colourful beach huts, Llanbedrog Beach situated on the Llyn Peninsula is a popular beach for families thanks to its sheltered location and shallow water which is suitable for swimming. There’s plenty of sand for the kids to test their castle-building skills and fun family activity packs are available from the nearby car park.

Barmouth Beach in Gwynedd will entertain all members of the family, with a selection of watersports, handy facilities, trampolines, arcade games and even fun donkey rides during the summer.

Caswell Bay on the Gower Peninsula offers safe swimming and a variety of facilities such as a first aid centre, refreshment venues and toilets.

Benllech Beach in Anglesey is a 2013 Blue Flag winner that provides good access for the likes of prams and pushchairs, convenient facilities and safe waters for swimming and watersports, so adults, young kids and older kids won’t be short of things to do.

Best beaches for walking and wildlife

There’s a bit of a walk involved to reach Barafundle Bay in Pembrokeshire, with a steep set of cliff steps to reach the beach, but visitors will be glad they made the effort as this stunning beach is considered not just one of Britain’s best beaches but one of the world’s top beaches. There are no facilities on the beach itself, though this just adds to the beach’s beauty and makes it a lovely spot for a stroll.

Rhossili Beach located on the Gower Peninsula is another spectacular beach often voted as one of the UK’s and Europe’s best beaches. Walkers can view the wreck of the Helvetia on the beach and head to Worms Head during low tide which is a tidal island from which grey seals can be seen. The cliffs above the beach are also a good place for birdwatching.

Three Cliffs Bay, also located in the Gower Peninsula, offers a fantastic combination of cliffs and sand dunes for walks.

For a beach trip you won’t easily forget, pay a visit to Porthor in Snowdonia, alternatively known as Porth Oer. This beach is often referred to as Whistling Sands thanks to the whistling sound the sand makes when people walk on it. An easy half-hour walk in the area provides the opportunity to see the likes of birds, seals, porpoises and dolphins if you’re lucky.

The beautiful Mwnt Beach near Cardigan is a geological and botanical Site of Special Scientific Interest and seals, porpoises and dolphins are often spotted here.

Best dog-friendly beaches

Lots of beaches in Wales are dog-friendly, but some have restrictions at certain times of year and you should check before go. Below are our favourite beaches that won't turn away your pooches.

Conwy Morfa situated near Conwy has an excellent stretch of sand to give your pooch a good workout and is also a good place for birdwatching.

The Millennium Coastal Park is a 10 mile stretch of stunning sands in Carmarthenshire. Dogs are welcome throughout the park and you can even find dog friendly ice cream at the discovery centre! The dog-friendly beaches here are all beautiful and there are some excellent traffic-free walking and cycle paths.

Visitors to or near the town of Barry in the Vale of Glamorgen should take their dog to the small but pretty beach known as Jackson’s Bay. The other beaches around this area are also worth visiting and welcome dogs.

Furry companions will enjoy scampering along Little Haven, a lovely beach situated on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path near the town of Broad Haven.

Best beaches for watersports

You can enjoy watersports at any beach in Wales, but the following are all watersport hotspots.

The award-winning Newgale Beach in Pembrokeshire will satisfy a variety of watersport enthusiasts, particularly people who are keen for surfing and kayaking, as well as kitesurfing and windsurfing. Nestled between Newgale and Broad Haven is Druidston Haven is another good choice for surfers and swimmers. The very pretty beach of Broad Haven South is also picturesque place for surfing.

Abersoch Beach on the Llyn Peninsula is well known for watersports. Windsurfing, sailing, power boating, water skiing and wakeboarding are all on offer here.

Llangennith Beach on the Gower Peninsula is another top surf spot.

A definite must for experienced surfers and bodyboarders only (due to the strong rip currents) is Freshwater West situated near to the village of Castlemartin in Pembrokeshire.

Best beaches for getting away from it all (secret beaches)

If you’re keen to get away from the crowds, Wales has a wonderful array of secret beaches that offer a quiet and stunning retreat without a lot of people.

If you want to take a dip in the ocean, try Porthsychan which is around 10 minutes by car from Fishguard in Pembrokeshire and offers the chance to spot seals.

Swimmers should also check out Porthmynawyd near Newgale in Pembrokeshire which reveals caves that can be explored during low tide too.

If beautiful stretches of sand are what you’re after, head to Traeth Yr Ora which is located near Benllech on the Isle of Anglesey. This beach is suitable for swimming, building excellent sandcastles and enjoying lovely sandy strolls.

Fittingly situated as Wales’s most northerly beach, Porth Llanlleiana in Anglesey is a ruggedly beautiful spot where visitors will be able to view the eye-catching remains of the Llanlleiana Porcelain Works.

Fall Bay is one of the most remote beaches on the Gower Peninsula. The beach is stunning, never crowded and well worth the walk.

Skrinkle Haven and Church Doors beaches are well off the beaten track in Pembrokeshire.These highly secluded neighbouring beaches are backed by limestone cliffs, and Skrinkle Haven is accessed via a narrow slippery cave except at low tidew when you can walk around the headland.

Seaside delights to suit all tastes and preferences

Wales boasts an incredible variety of beaches that cater to a multitude of visitor preferences. Maybe you’re keen for family-friendly seaside fun or getting out and about on foot or spotting wonderful wildlife. Alternatively you may want the thrill of watersports, a great place to bring your dog or somewhere that offers peace and quiet away from busier locations. Whatever you’re after, these beaches in Wales will ensure you’ll be very reluctant to wave goodbye at the end of the day.