Tenby Harbour Beach

Tenby Harbour Beach is easily one of the recognisable locations in Wales. Set on the South Pembrokeshire coastline, visitors flock here all year round to capture their own version of the postcard-perfect picture. With multi-coloured houses, clear blue waters and picturesque harbour of moored boats, it’s no wonder.

You’ll find this beach positioned at the southern end of Tenby North Beach, near the two lifeboat stations, just around the headland from Tenby Castle Beach and the larger Tenby South Beach. All four beaches are within a short walk of each other and the Georgian town centre.

Tenby Harbour Beach is a small sandy bay, ideal for family days out, especially with smaller children. Backed by Castle Hill, there is plenty to keep the little ones occupied in this seaside resort and coastal cottage holidays in Tenby will be remembered for a lifetime. Even the famous Roald Dahl spent many an Easter holiday here during his childhood.

Activities

Tenby Harbour Beach is a favourite amongst parents with busy children, as the compact size of this South Pembrokeshire bay means the little ones can stay in sight at all times. Enjoy hours playing in the sand building sandcastles and letting your child’s imagination run wild. Bathing is a popular pastime here, so you can even take the children paddling and let them practise their backstroke too.

From the top of Tenby Harbour, you can book several boat trips and activities. Arguably the most popular booking is for the day trips to Caldey Island, an isle some three miles offshore inhabited by Cistercian monks. Book your ticket on the day at one of the wooden huts, then enjoy a scenic sailing of 20 minutes before exploring this quaint land. Complete with a museum, churches, Priory Bay Beach and a whole village, you can easily spend an entire day on an island adventure here. At high tide, you will board the ferry in Tenby at the steps in the harbour but at low tide, sailings stem from a jetty on Castle Beach.

Alternatively, you could book a Tenby sea safari or a Caldey Island cruise with Tenby Boat Trips, taking you on a wildlife adventure around this spectacular coastline offering up-close sightings of nature and memorable views of the mainland. During the summer, sunset cruises are also available – imagine golden hour with orange-coloured skies illuminating the seas.

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Via Tenby Watersports, you can plan a stimulating rib ride or ride a large yellow banana across the shore with their banana rides. They also offer jet ski safaris taking you out to see all manner of sea life and scenery. Alternatively, you can hire kayaks and paddleboards if you want to have your own go at surfing the waves. Tenby Coasteering will take you on an exploration like no other; scramble, leap and swim across this stretch of coastline discovering new caves and safe cliff jumping spots - contact our Concierge Team who can arrange this for you. 

Tenby has a strong fishing community and a long-standing appreciation for seafood. Some of the boats you’ll see moored in the harbour are used regularly by local fishermen as they head out to sea in search of fresh fish, many of which will then make the menus and specials boards of the pubs, restaurants and cafes within the town and further afield in Pembrokeshire.

Visiting anglers and sea fishers will be pleased to find a wealth of fish on offer at Tenby Harbour Beach. Bass, plaice, turbot and mullet are all regularly caught on this sandy bottom, along with conger, bream, dogfish, rays and more.

Regulars to Tenby Harbour Beach will already know that come the summer months, this attractive inlet becomes a hive of activity with the arrival of the Tenby Summer Spectacular Events. Expect a marquee with live music and performances, a bouncy castle for the children, refreshments available for all and a fantastic fireworks display over the water to complete the day. The Summer Spectaculars run on multiple weekends each year.

A must-visit for many who adore visits to Tenby Harbour, locals and holiday-makers alike, is a visit on Boat Lift Day. Twice a year, heavy machinery is used to move the boats who call this harbour home. At the start of the summer season, the boats are lifted into the water and then at the end of the season, the boats are lifted out – both make for a fascinating watch.

Facilities

Tenby Harbour Beach is located just a short walk from town meaning amenities are all on-hand, just a stone’s throw away. Tenby’s cobbled streets are jam-packed with quaint cafes, independent restaurants and welcoming pubs offering great food and warm atmospheres.

You will also find retail stores, greengrocers and gift shops here allowing you to buy souvenirs, items to make a homemade picnic and a new book to read on the beach if you need to. The town is also home to several ATMs, bus stops, and public toilets. You can also call into the local Tourist Information Centre for street maps of the town, leaflets on local attractions and advice.

Pick up a fresh crab sandwich, a homemade sausage roll and a hot cup of coffee from The Stowaway Coffee Co., nestled inside one of the listed arches in the Harbour Walls. One of the wooden huts above the harbour houses Simply Seafood where you can buy fresh locally sourced seafood.

At Tenby Harbour Beach itself, you will find a number of picnic benches overlooking the water and sandy bay. Recycling bins are available for use here too.

The harbour is home to Tenby Sailing Club, the local Sea Cadets and St Julian’s Church, a small seaman’s chapel which is still in use running services you can attend. Visitor moorings are available.

Access

Parking is not available at Tenby Harbour Beach, the only cars you see along these cobbles hold residential permits. Plus, the centre of Tenby imposes a pedestrianisation scheme during the height of summer meaning cars are restricted from driving through certain streets such as Tudor Square. Follow street signs for the main car parks in the town, you can park at the multi-storey by Sainsbury’s (higher levels allow long-stays) or head to one of the car parks at Tenby North Beach or Tenby South Beach. All are Pay and Display.

From the town centre, you can follow any number of side streets towards the harbour. The town stands at an elevated position to sea level, so there is are two steep sloping paths down to the harbour promenade. One is accessed by the wooden huts at the top of the harbour, and the other further along Crackwell Street although be aware there are some steps here. From the lower promenade, there is then a slipway onto the sand.

You can follow the promenade along the harbour walls all the way to North Beach, avoiding walking back up into the town. This promenade is accessible at various points via steps from the town, or you can take the zig zags to North Beach, a series of sloping paths, to reach the prom.

Is Tenby Harbour Beach Dog Friendly?

Only during the winter months. Between 1st May and 30th September, Tenby Harbour Beach (and North Beach) places a ban on all dogs. There is also a restriction stating all dogs must be kept on leads when walking along the promenade between Harbour Beach and North Beach, and in fact throughout much of the town.

If you are visiting Tenby with your dog, you might be better off venturing to the other side of Tenby as much of Tenby South Beach remains dog friendly all year round.

Award-Winning

It is no surprise that Tenby Harbour Beach is award-winning as it is undeniably a charming place to visit with blissful waters, pretty boats and cobbled streets. In 2014, it was named Most Beautiful Beach in Europe by European Best Destinations.

Where to Stay in Tenby

We have a fantastic collection of Tenby accommodation so why not embark on holidays in Tenby with a sea view this year? Wherever you stay in the centre of the town, you'll be within easy reach of Tenby Harbour Beach and the other three bays in this coastal town.

Tenby Holiday Homes