Top 10 Beaches in Pembrokeshire
We've whittled down our list of the top beaches in Pembrokeshire, is your favourite here?
Pembrokeshire has an abundance of spectacular beaches, some of which have even been recognised as some of the best in the world.
We did a quick poll in the office to try and find our top 10 beaches. Safe to say, most of Pembrokeshire’s beaches were put forward as being some of the best bays – they are all pretty special after all. After much deliberation, below are our top 10 beaches in Pembrokeshire.
Although ask us on another day, and we may well give you a different ten!
Tenby South Beach
We limited ourselves to choosing just one of Tenby’s four fantastic beaches, simply because there are so many across the county which deserve championing. It was difficult to narrow them down to just one but eventually, we got there.
Tenby South Beach topped our list of the four for a couple of reasons. Whilst all of Tenby’s beaches are within walking distance, South Beach is the largest. It is roughly 2m in length, backed by dunes and offers views across Caldey Island and beyond. It’s the only one of the beaches in the town which is dog friendly plus it’s perfect for bodyboarding, kayaking and surfing.
Whitesands Beach
Set on the outskirts of St Davids, the smallest city in the UK, Whitesands Beach is one of the top destinations for watersports. Western-facing, this shoreline benefits from the incoming tides off the Irish sea which often results in fantastic conditions for surfing and kitesurfing. Whether the sun is shining or not, you’ll often find wetsuit-donning bodies surfing the waves on their boards throughout the year.
But there is so much more to this Pembrokeshire beach than just watersports. As suggested by the name, the sands here are beautifully white making them ideal for family days out at the beach building sandcastles. Make sure to walk to the summit of Carn Llidi, the towering outcrop overlooking the bay, for incredible coastal views, and venture into the city to visit St Davids Cathedral.
Newgale Beach
Newgale Beach is one of the largest and most memorable bays in Pembrokeshire and probably in Wales. It is some two miles in length and is backed by a unique large pebble bank that stops the incoming tide from overflowing onto the main road which runs through Newgale.
Travel through the village at high tide and you’ll be fooled into thinking that there are no sands here at all, as the water levels comes some way up the pebble bank. But come low tide, a wide expanse of golden sands is revealed with plenty of room for beachgoers. Surfers, rock poolers, kiteboarders, fishermen and those with a partial to a game of beach cricket flock here in their droves – it’s a superb spot for all types of shoreline activities.
Marloes Sands
Easily one of Pembrokeshire’s most magnificent beaches, Marloes Sands is more secluded than many of the bays in the area resulting in fewer visitor numbers – something which only makes it more magical for those who do make the effort to visit.
The landscape here is made up of golden sands and impressive craggy rock formations, creating private pockets of sand ideal for a spot of sunbathing. But don’t just take our word that Marloes beach is something special, it’s even attracted the attention of Hollywood. Both Robin Hood (2010) and Snow White and the Huntsman (2012) filmed epic army scenes here.
Newport Sands
In the depths of the north Pembrokeshire coastline, the quaint boutique town of Newport offers two beaches; Newport Parrog and Newport Sands. Newport Sands makes our list as it is a family favourite for many and is larger than the Parrog beach which lies more central within the town. The clean shoreline and convenient facilities at Newport Sands, complete with seasonal lifeguards, make this a top choice for swimmers, watersports enthusiasts and of course, the bucket and spade brigade.
Challenge your friends to a game of beach volleyball, launch your kayak here or enjoy an evening stroll with the dog; whatever you choose, you’re sure not to be disappointed. This stretch of the coastline teems with wildlife too, so you’re like to spot figures with binoculars and fishing rods along the water too.
Broadhaven South Beach
South Pembrokeshire is sprinkled with so many great beaches, two of which lie just around the headland from each other near Stackpole. Barafundle Bay is the one that frequents various "Top Beaches in the World" lists, so we’ve decided to include Broadhaven South Beach in this list to share the love a little.
Broadhaven South is the easily accessible sister beach to Barafundle Bay, which can only be reached via the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path. Imposing from the turquoise waters here is the iconic Church Rock, and the pretty Bosherston Lily Ponds lie just behind the bay. Plan a summer picnic, challenge the dog to a game of frisbee or take the little ones bodyboarding.
Nolton Haven Beach
The idyllic sandy cove at Nolton Haven Beach is nestled in the western coastline between Newgale Beach and Broad Haven Beach. It may be small in size, but it attracts huge footfall so expect the sands here to be filled with families, young groups and sun-worshippers through the summer months - many of whom may be staying in the village of Nolton which backs this bay.
Flanked by high cliffsides, the sandy shoreline becomes a sheltered suntrap on those warm days so don’t forget the sunscreen! Seasonal lifeguards watch over the waters where you’ll find leisurely bathers and canoeists setting off for adventures around the caves.
Cwm Yr Eglwys Beach
One of the smaller shingle beaches in Pembrokeshire, this wonderful cove at Cwm Yr Eglwys is particularly popular with boaters and wildlife lovers. Launch your sailing boat, rowing boat or kayak here and paddle out for a picnic at sea or bring along the snorkel to explore underwater where you’ll find starfish, sea anemones and even spider crabs in the right season.
Fisherman dot the high sea wall here at high tide casting off for dogfish, plaice and pollack whilst keen ramblers head off on the circular walk around Dinas Island for sightings of rare seabirds and seals. The benches which back the bay are ideal spots for a peaceful moment early morning or late evening.
West Angle Bay
This southern Pembrokeshire beach may often be overshadowed by the likes of others in the region, such as Saundersfoot Beach and Freshwater West Beach, but those who have visited West Angle Bay place it in their favourites of all time.
A truly special location, the golden bay offers fabulous views over the village of Angle and out towards Dale and the Cleddau Estuary. Dog friendly all year round, this is a great spot for surfers, kayakers and families. The northern end is rockier than the rest of the bay and is known to draw in climbers and rock poolers.
Traeth Llyfn Beach
We’ll forgive you if you’re currently scratching your head because you’re unfamiliar with this one – some of the staff here have yet to visit this spectacular Welsh beach! Hidden along the coast between Abereiddy and Porthgain, you have to walk along the coast path to reach Traeth Llyfn Beach and then down a steep flight of metal steps. Believe us though, it's certainly worth it.
The cove here is sandy and quaint, and the likelihood that you’ll have it virtually to yourself is high. Bring along a packed lunch and enjoy a relaxing few hours soaking in the sun’s rays, or carry with you a rugby ball for a game of touch rugby in the sand before the tide cuts you off completely.
