Broad Haven Beach

Not to be confused with Broadhaven South Beach near Bosherston, another popular Pembrokeshire location, Broad Haven Beach is a family friendly bay of golden sands backed by a quaint coastal village. Set on the west coast of Pembrokeshire between Little Haven and Druidston, this beach is in a wonderful valley location overlooking St Brides Bay.

In the village of Broad Haven you’ll find eateries and amenities, most of which boast incredible seaside views, making Broad Haven a top choice for beach days and evenings by the seaside. The water comes in most of the way at high tide but as the promenade and village stand at an elevated position, you’re able to enjoy stunning sea views all day long.

Spend your days at Broad Haven Beach playing on the sand or indulging in water sports. Either way, this beach is a great spot for a holiday by the coast.

Activities

When the tide is out, a spacious sandy bay is revealed making it an ideal destination for all number of beach games. Expect to see families with small children digging holes and having sandcastle-building competitions. Bring along a frisbee or football to mix up your day with some simple but fun beach games, suitable for all ages, or spend hours delving into the rock pools at the northern end of the shore.

Broad Haven is home to a youth hostel and the main county town of Haverfordwest is just ten minutes away, so you will often find small groups of young people having a game of rounders, beach volleyball or cricket here on summer’s days.

The west-facing bays in this area of West Wales are all popular amongst the water sporting community in Pembrokeshire. Conditions are often more than satisfactory, with decent swells coming in from the Irish sea creating great waves for surfing and suitable wind speeds ideal for power-kiting. During the holidays, expect to find a shore sprinkled with surfers, bodyboarders and swimmers. You will also see sea kayakers tackling the waves and on calm days, beginners love to paddle the length of the beach whilst explorers prefer to work their way around the headland towards Little Haven or Druidston. You will likely also spot jet skiers and boaters speeding off into the distance here.

Use Broad Haven Beach as your starting point for a Coastal Path walk; try the 6 mile walk (approx.) to Newgale stopping off at Nolton for a picnic, then jump on the North Pembrokeshire Fflecsi Bus scheme which is available 7.30-6.30 Monday-Friday and 8.30-6.30 on Saturdays. This bus service covers the zone that connects the spectacular coast between Fishguard, St Davids and Broad Haven. Alternatively, walk along the headland to the next village long, Little Haven – you can always walk straight along the sand when the tide is out.

Facilities

It’s easy to see why Broad Haven Beach is popular with people of all ages and interests, as the great facilities here are all within a hop, skip and a jump of the shore. Along the promenade you’ll find plenty of benches, so if you have mobility struggles or simply prefer to avoid getting sand on your feet, you can enjoy the view just the same by perching on one of these seats.

On the other side of the road from the promenade is where you will find all the shops and eateries. The well-stocked convenience store offers daily newspapers, groceries, ice creams, drinks and an off licence whilst Haven Sports, just around the corner, offers retail goodies plus watersports equipment and hire.

The sole pub in the village is The Galleon Inn with upstairs Sunset View Restaurant. Reserve a table in the family room or take a seat downstairs if you’re visiting with your dog, upstairs dine on a contemporary menu complete with fresh fish on the daily specials board.

Along the seafront is Sunshine Italian, a quality restaurant specialising in Italian cuisine serving children’s meals as well as vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free dishes. You can also order takeaway pizzas from here too. Also along this stretch, you will find the Ocean Bar, Café and Restaurant, open from 9 am until late offering breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as coffee and snacks throughout the day.

Nearby to The Galleon you will find two cafes, the Sand & Stone Kitchen tucked in by Haven Sports and then the Beach Café, standing opposite. Sand & Stone Kitchen is run by the same team as The Cornerhouse Café in Little Haven, and is open for breakfast and lunch with the occasional pizza night offering quality Italian Pizzas, cocktails and more. If you’re looking for takeaway chips to eat watching the sunset (which is definitely recommended if you’re in the area!), you’ll want to call into Beach Café.

Broad Haven has two car parks, the largest of which is located at the northern end. Both are pay and display, and the smaller of the two by Beach Café does fill up quickly. Public toilets are available including disabled facilities, and you can also hire a beach wheelchair from Haven Sports during the summer.

RNLI lifeguards patrol this beach during the summer months between late June and early September, with their hut set at north end of the beach just by the road bridge heading towards Newgale.

Local Top Tips

Broad Haven has two main car parks, but there is a third if you follow the road past the smaller car park opposite The Galleon. On the left hidden just out of sight, you will find a third lesser-known car park manned only by an honesty box.

Locals will know that the Beach Café may stay open later than their advertised times if the weather is nice and the business is booming, but this is at their discretion so don’t bank on it if you’re in dire need of some piping hot fish and chips on the beach. Queues are likely here on those gorgeous summer days so join before the hunger pangs set in!

Access

At the southern end of the beach, the main access onto the shore is via the main slipway allowing easy access for boats, canoes and jet skis. There is also a pedestrian ramp near the lifeguard hut, as well as steps down from the promenade in between.

Backing the sands you will find areas of pebbles, rocks large enough to perch on and areas of concrete steps. People also like to sit on the grassy banks lining the slipway, particularly during high tide when the sand is undercover.

Is Broad Haven Beach Dog Friendly?

Between 1st May and 30th September, the north half of the beach imposes dog restrictions so if you’re visiting this sandy shore with your canine, make way for the car park near The Galleon and enter the beach from the main slipway.

Award-Winning

The Blue Flag Award granted to beaches with informative notices, clean spaces, impressive water quality and superb facilities has been presented to Broad Haven Beach on numerous occasions. This beach has also been known to receive the Seaside Award and the Green Coast Award in previous years. 

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