Aberporth Beach

Located along the Ceredigion Coastal Path, you’ll find the award-winning sandy beach of Aberporth.

The former fishing village of Aberporth lies at the southern end of Cardigan Bay about six miles north of Cardigan and ten miles south of New Quay. 

Aberporth Beach is actually two sandy beaches separated by a headland that at low tide becomes one beach. The two beaches are also known as Dolwen Beach to the west and Dyffryn Beach to the east.

The two beaches are sheltered sandy beaches with rock pools for the children to explore at low tide. This quiet picturesque location makes for a superb place for a traditional family beach holiday or a relaxing break for couples.

Activities

Whether it’s swimming, surfing, bodyboarding, paddleboarding, kayaking or canoeing; Aberporth Beach offers great conditions for all of these watersports. Its coved bay is north facing and sheltered on both sides by hills, making it very favourable to surfers. 

At low tide, you will find a plethora of exposed rock pools, teeming with sea life. Arm the kids with a net and a bucket and while away the day discovering all sorts of species.

Dyffryn Beach is dog friendly all year round and is also used for launching boats, including local fishing boats. Dolwen, the more southerly beach, is watched over by a large carving of a dolphin, hinting that dolphins as well as seals can often be seen close to shore. Set within the Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation, it’s no wonder that the wildlife here is in abundance. 

Cardigan Bay is known to be one of the best places in the area for dolphin spotting. The Bottlenose Dolphins are regularly seen swimming and diving as they follow the shoals of mackerel into the bay. There are also rare sightings of orcas and harbour porpoises. Sunfish and basking sharks are often seen offshore in the summer.

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Aberporth offers an ideal base for walkers wishing to explore the Ceredigion section of the Wales Coast Path: it goes through the village and you can follow it south to the National Trust beach of Mwnt and on to Gwbert and Cardigan. To the north, the first section of the recently improved path is wheelchair friendly and it is an easy walk to Tresaith which has a sandy beach and another seaside pub with stunning views across Cardigan Bay. 

Alternatively, head in the opposite direction to St Dogmaels to start the Pembrokeshire Coast Path National Trail. This spectacular trail covers some of the most varied coastal scenery in Britain, stretching from St Dogmaels in the north to Amroth in the South.

For the active, there is cycling, surfing, golf, quad bikes, shooting, paintball and white water canoeing. The area is renowned for its fishing: fly fishing on the nearby River Teifi, local lakes for trout and coarse fishing and excellent sea fishing from beach and boat.

Live the beach life to the full with swimming, surfing and sailing then treat yourself to an ice cream from the beach café. Watch the sun go down over the sea while sipping your favourite drink at The Ship.

Facilities

Facilities are shared by both beaches and include car parking, toilets, food and lifeguards in the summer. The car parks are owned by the village hall and all the money from the car parks goes towards maintaining the grounds they own and running the halls. 

There are free public toilets and an outdoor shower on the headland between the two car parks and more toilets near the village green opposite the shops. There is also a water fountain here so no need to bring plastic water bottles if you need a drink!

The Ship just above Dyffryn Beach serves food most days; lunch and evening meals. The Cwtch above Dyffryn Beach is open for snacks and light meals during the day. A two-mile walk north along the coast path will take you to The Ship Inn at Tresaith which also serves food and there are a variety of restaurants in Cardigan town. The Buoy Ashore behind the big beach (Dyffryn) is open for evening food (seasonal opening hours).

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Travel further inland for more amenities. St Dogmaels is just two miles away and is home to a convenience store, post office, and Mor Ffein Chip Shop. You will also find two pubs here, The Ferry Inn and The White Hart, along with St Dogmaels Abbey – a 12th Century ruined abbey which is now home to a museum and visitor centre.

Just a 15-minute drive from Aberporth is the town of Cardigan where you will find supermarkets, retail shops, independent pubs, restaurants and cafes. Pay a visit to Cardigan Castle and learn all about its tumultuous history or book a boat trip with A Bay to Remember for a wildlife cruise around the nearby Cardigan Island.

Access

There is a car park (a small charge applies), with some disabled spaces above the south section of the beach and further parking is available in the village. The public toilets are located near the car park.

Beach wheelchair available from the Lifeguard Hut. The beach wheelchair is free to use and the key to unlocking it is available from the RNLI lifeguard hut located in between the car parks.

Is Aberporth Beach Dog Friendly?

The beach at Aberporth puts in place a partial dog ban during the summer months. Dogs are allowed on Dyffryn Beach all year round. Between 1st May and 30th September, dogs are forbidden on the southern Dolwen Beach. The restrictions do not apply to guide dogs for the blind.

Award-Winning

Aberporth Beach has been awarded a regional Seaside Award.

Coastal Cottages Aberporth Holiday Cottages

Aberporth is a scenic coastal village which sits on the edge of Cardigan Bay. With its golden ‘Blue Flag’ beaches, historic fishing harbour and charming coloured Georgian houses, Aberporth is a delight to explore.

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