Newport Sands

Positioned on the coast of North Pembrokeshire, you will find the picturesque village of Newport centrally located some ten miles or so between the two historic towns of Fishguard and Cardigan. Newport is a particularly popular holiday resort, and it’s no wonder when it has two wonderful beaches; Newport Parrog and Newport Sands.

Both beaches are separated only by the River Nevern which runs between them. Newport Sands lies on the northern side whilst Newport Parrog Beach lies on the south. Newport Parrog Beach was historically used as a trading port for ships bringing in imported goods and is still used as a harbour for local fishermen and boaters these days. Newport Sands is a curved bay of terrific golden sands, more suited to traditional beach activities such as sand-based games and watersports.

Activities

Approximately 1.5 miles long, Newport Sands is a spacious sandy beach providing plenty of room to play, especially when the tide is out. The possibilities here for activities are endless so make the most of your visit with a full day dedicated to playing here.

The clean shoreline makes a perfect spot to teach the little ones how to build sandcastles so don’t forget to bring along your bucket and spade. Take advantage of the vast expanse of sand and draw yourself a hopscotch grid giving the children hours of fun hopping, skipping and jumping or carve four bases into the beach for a friendly game of rounders.

This bay is well-liked for swimming and even has a dedicated section indicating a safe area for bathing which is patrolled by lifeguards, however some parts of the beach can be dangerous, notably nearer the river.

Watersports enthusiasts will enjoy spending time here as the swells coming in from the Irish sea often result in great waves and suitable conditions. You’ll see a shore sprinkled with surfers and kitesurfers if the conditions are right.

As a result of the port history here, it’s no wonder that the local community is a strong community of boaters so expect to see all number of vessels on these shores. You’ll find kayakers and canoeists paddling through the waves and the skyline will no doubt be strewn with sailing boats and rowing boats, some of which will be making their way across from Newport Parrog Beach.

If you make your way towards the estuary side of Newport Sands, you’ll find a zone teeming with wildlife attracting birdwatchers and fishermen throughout the year. Backed by sand dunes, this stretch of the seaside is awash with flatfish and seabass. You might even catch sea trout or salmon here but bear in mind, you must have the relevant paperwork for this,

As for birdlife, take the beautiful woodland walk towards the mouth of the River Nevern and you will likely sight wildfowl, kingfishers, waders, goosanders and more. Or, you can join the Pembrokeshire Coast Path and walk north towards Cardigan, as this entire stretch of coastline is known for being a top place to spot porpoise and dolphins.

Facilities

Behind the sand, you’ll find a tarmac car park and during the summer months, the beach also opens up to become an extended area for parking – certainly a very rare practice in modern days. Alongside the car park, you will find a public toilet block plus a bus stop for the Poppit Rocket coastal shuttle bus, meaning you can hop on the bus from the main village rather than driving down if you want.

As mentioned above, the local RNLI lifeguards patrol Newport Sands beach during the summer months, usually between late June and early September.

Golfers will adore this bay as just a short walk uphill you will find Newport Sands Golf Course, a superb 18 hole golf course in a stunning location overlooking the golden sands here. Onsite, you also have the Cat Rock Café offering breakfast, lunch, coffees and cake.

Just a short drive away, or a walk if you would prefer to take a riverside stroll, you will find a whole host of amenities within the village of Newport. There are a number of pubs, restaurants and cafes to choose from alongside grocery stores, art galleries, gift shops and more. You can even call into the Carningli Centre to hire bicycles, a great means of transport to help you get between the village and Newport Sands beach.

Access

Boaters, kayakers and cars can all make use of the slipway from the country road down to this beach onto the sandy bay at Newport Sands, allowing easy access for all.

As of 2023, there is now an adult beach wheelchair available to hire.

Is Newport Sands Beach Dog Friendly?

Yes Newport Sands is dog friendly all year round. Your pooch will have a fantastic time leaping through the sand dunes and paddling in the sea here.

Award-Winning

Newport Sands has been awarded the nationally recognised Seaside Award in recent years, acknowledging this to be a quality beach with a clean, well-maintained shoreline and convenient facilities.

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