Tenby North Beach

Easily one of the most iconic beaches in Wales, Tenby North Beach is an expanse of beautiful golden sands located on the eastern side of this cobblestoned seaside town. Suitable for families, adventure seekers and bathers, this bay becomes a real sun trap on summer’s days making it the perfect choice for sun-worshippers.

Take one look at Tenby North Beach and you will likely recognise the landscape from many a picture postcard. Protruding from the sand you will immediately notice Goscar Rock, a rugged stone formation breaking up this sandy bay and to the south of the beach, you will spot the old (with the red roof) and new lifeboat stations. At low tide, walk from this beach towards the harbour across the sands and you can walk up the hill to pop into the new lifeboat station. Pretty pastel holiday cottages in Tenby line the streets creating an idyllic scene for all who visit.

Activities

Families flock to this beach on warm sunny days as the large sandy bay makes it ideal for beach games and sandcastle building. Take along your rounders kit and your bucket and spade for you can easily spend all day running the length of the beach chasing the ball and building sandcastles.

If you’re looking for something a little more adrenaline-fuelled, you might want to head into the water for a trip aboard a jet boat or even try your hand at jet skiing through the effervescent blue waters. Water babies will adore a leisurely bathe here and will be able to rest assured knowing that the bay is patrolled by lifeguards daily during the summer months. If you’re bringing along your bikini for a dip in the sea, be aware you may meet a jellyfish!

During your visit, you might also spot a fisherman casting their rod into the water in the hope of catching bass, mackerel and turbot. Other fish caught in the area include dogfish, bream, plaice and mullet.

Events

Another reason you will likely recognise Tenby North Beach, even if you might not have previously visited, is that it is home to some of Tenby’s most famous annual events. Come a Friday afternoon in early July, North Beach becomes awash with children, athletes and supporters during Long Course Weekend. This triathlon-with-a-difference is a three-day event which kicks off early on a Friday eve with a kids splash and dash event known nowadays as LCKinder.

A little later the same evening, a whopping 2000 athletes dive into the waters for a 2.4 mile swim. Cheered on by crowds like you’ve never seen before, the zig zags and raised promenade are jam-packed with families and supporters creating electricity throughout the entire town. Expect a buzz of activity on the shore with fireworks and a start/finish line.

You might like this: Long Course Weekend Accommodation

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Later on in the year, another sporting event comes to town. The Ironman Wales arrives in early September, but this time you’ve got an early wake-up call if you want to see the swim. Unlike the Long Course Weekend, Ironman Wales takes place all in just one day – and a Sunday at that. 

The swim takes place on Tenby North Beach in the early morning, so you’ll want to head down for around 5 am if you want to get a place with a good view. Once the athletes have completed their 2.4-mile swim in the North Beach shore, it’s time for a 112-mile cycle around the south of the county before tackling a 26.2-mile marathon to finish off.

You might like this: Ironman Wales Accommodation

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Lastly, one of Pembrokeshire’s best-loved festive events takes place at Tenby North Beach – the Boxing Day Swim. Despite the cold weather and the chilly sea temperatures, hundreds of brave participants gather on the shore for a breezing dip in these wild Welsh waters in aid of charity. Expect wacky fancy dress costumes, bikini-clad bodies and one or two regretful faces on the sand the day after Christmas. This fundraiser is a spirit-raising event firmly written in the calendar for many year after year.

Facilities

Just behind the shore, you will find beach shops selling various beachside items including buckets and spades, so fear not if you forget to bring yours along! If you’re hoping for a relaxing day basking in the sun’s rays, you might want to head to the equipment hire shop where you can hire a deckchair for the day – just bring along your book and sunglasses, and you’ve got the perfect day.

If you’re planning on spending most of your week on the beach, don’t worry about packing up a picnic every day. Tenby North Beach has a café just behind the sand at the cliffside where you can enjoy a fresh homecooked meal during your visit.

Of course, everyone knows that no visit to the beach is complete without ice cream, so you will likely want to take advantage of the mobile ice cream van which drives the length of this shore offering cooling refreshments and soft ‘99s.

As for parking, there is a car park just a stone’s throw from the shore where you will find toilets and another café. Tenby North Beach has over 230 spaces and is definitely the nearest place to park but bear in mind, this beach does get crowded on those warm days during the school holidays so aim to get here early if this is where you’re planning to park. It is a pay and display, prices start at just 50 pence for one hour. Alternatively, there are a number of other car parks in the town including the Four Arches car park and the multi-storey car park at Sainsbury’s.

LCKinder 

Access

Tenby town stands elevated from North Beach so access to this beach is via a downhill walkway from the promenade, known to the locals and regular visitors as the “zig-zags” due to the shape of the walkway. Alternatively, you can take the slipway down to the harbour at the far end of the beach and walk along the sand if you’re coming from Castle Beach.

Canoers and boaters will be pleased to know there is a slipway on this beach, allowing easy access into the water from the shore.

Is it Dog Friendly?

During the summer between 1^st May and 30^th September, Tenby North Beach imposes a complete ban forbidding dogs. Outside of those dates, you are more than welcome to bring along your furry friend for a stroll and a paddle here.

If you’re looking for a dog friendly beach in Tenby, head to South Beach at the other end of town.

Award-Winning

Tenby North Beach is no stranger to winning awards. You will regularly see the sought-after Blue Flag Award flying high here, indicating that the water quality is impressively clean and the bay well-looked after.

North Beach has also been known to receive the nationally recognised Seaside Award too, highlighting it as one of the best beaches in the UK. Beaches presented with this accolade are guaranteed to be safe, attractive and well-maintained making them obvious choices when you are planning a beach day.

Stay in Tenby

Browse our selection of Tenby holiday accommodation to see North Beach for yourself, and make sure to visit the other three beaches during your time in this picturesque seaside town too. 

Browse Tenby Holiday Cottages