With Pembrokeshire being voted as the second best coastal destination in the world by National Geographic, having over 50 beaches and awarded more blue flags and coastal awards than anywhere else in the UK and boasting the only Coastal National Park in the UK there’s plenty to do here. For just a taste of things to do and places to see in Pembrokeshire simply read on.
As mentioned above Pembrokeshire has some of the most amazing and best kept beaches in the uk, and they are undoubtably the cream of the Wales. If you heading to West or South Wales you really cannot miss out on Pembrokeshires Coastline, amazing landscape and chilled pace of life.Beaches (Blue Flag Awarded)
Amroth Beach marks the beginning of the Pembrokeshires 186 mile Coastal path, a flat 1/2 a mile long south facing sandy beach with a pebble bank above the high tide line. Plenty of parking along the seafront and in village which boosts a seaside resort award and ample facilities. Lifeguides on duty between end of July and begining of September.
Broadhaven North at high tide a long narrow pebble beach, but at low tide it becomes a large firm flat sandy popular beach. Popular for safe bathing it can get busy in the summer, but being as large as it is at low tides there’s plenty of room for everyone. With local watersport equipment hire and a number of shops, bars and cafe and boasting another seaside resort award its a great beach to visit. Lifeguards are on duty between end of June and beginning of September.
Coppet Hall a generous sized beach even at high tide, whilst at low tide the beach opens up to a large expanse of sand, ideal for all sorts of beach games, with rockpools at the eastern end this Pembrokeshire gem has plenty to offer all its visitors.
Dale Lydstep set in a wide sheltered bay, Dale is watersports heaven with its sheltered bay its ideal for practicing everything whether it be windsurfing, kayaking, sailing and whatever else you can imagine. With a pebble beach and local facilities lifeguards between end of June and beginning of September it’s no wonder this is a blue flag beach and holder of seaside resort award.
Newgale a vast 2 mile long beach sandy with a huge natural pebble bank above the high tide mark, this beach is mecca for surfers, kayakers, kitesurfers, and kiteboarders who take advantage of the huge flat sandy beach area, with a local shop just to the north of the beach and a great little restaurant/cafe at the end it’s a great place to visit, with beaches like this it’s no wonder Pembrokeshire has more awards than anywhere else in wales. Great parking facilities and life guards on duty between the beginnings of June till the end of September, don’t miss it out of your itinery...
Newport a broad and long beach popular with water sports adventure seekers, this beach has heaps of space for everyone to enjoy it. With lots of sand dunes and the mouth of River Nevern separating the beach from Newport Parrog which has loads of cafes and shops for refreshments and even a 18 hole golf course, you are sure to find a reason to visit for all members of the family. Lifeguards patrol between end of June and beginning of September/
Poppit Sands is a large sandy beach backed with sand dunes at high tide, but at low tide this beach becomes vast, poppit sands is the other side of the 186 mile coastal path from amroth beach. With local facilities in the nearby village of St Dogmaels and life guides on duty between end of June and beginning of September it’s a popular beach not to be missed
Saundersfoot a small wide and flat sandy beach at low tide and still plenty at high tide this is an idyllic and very popular resort with stacks of facilities and shops and even an All-terrain (beach) wheelchair available for hire from the tourist information centre, loads of ice cream vans and beautiful views from the top of the hill, this is one beach should definitely be amongst the top of your list
Tenby Castle although this beach disappears entirely at high tide there’s no reason not to visit at low tide, access is gained by either via the harbour or down a set of steep steps off The Paragon. This little gem of a beach is super sandy and being cliff is quite stunning. Loads of facilities and interesting shops, cafes, public houses and restaurants make this a destination not to be missed. Lifeguard from the end of June to the end of September.
Tenby North with its famous Goskar rock reaching for the sun in the middle this is an east facing super enclosed sandy sheltered and safe, beach, great for young children and a sun trap even on those windy days. Loads of facilities and interesting shops, cafes, public houses and restaurants make this a destination not to be missed. Lifeguard from the end of June to the end of September.
Tenby South has something for all members of the family, especially those with young children, at over a mile and half long, tenby south is a vast sandy beach, with gently sea shelves and no obstructions it’s a great place to wind away those perfect beach days. Stacks of facilities and interesting shops, cafes, public houses and restaurants make this a destination not to be missed. Lifeguard from the end of June to the end of September.
Whitesands as one of the best surfing beaches in the country this beach is very popular and is a super cool place to visit and hang out, the sandy beach is one of Pembrokeshires gems and is overlooked by the only craggy hill for miles. The beach is a wide and curves north towards the remote rocky headland of St Davids Head.
The surfing at the northern break is crowded on good days as surf kayakers, surfers and body boarders all compete for the next big clean wave. At the end of the beach, there’s a rocky outcrop well worth a walk along, and provides a stunning feature in sunset photos. At the south end of the beach things are a little quiter there are some nicely sheltered bays. With watersport board hire and a cafe (hot chocolate and cake not to be missed) and shop selling everything you need for the beach this is a great beach to visit, Lifeguards patrol between end of May and the beginning of September
Barafundle is considered by many who visit it as one of the most stunning beaches in the UK and some even say the world, there is definitely a sense of Caribbean about it. Despite being only accessible by a half mile walk from the closest car park this beach will not disappoint you and certainly is worth the effort, and for those who can be bothered, well there’s more for us. A wonderful swath of golden sand backed by pine trees and sand dunes surround a crystal clear sea means this is one place you can’t afford to miss, unfortunately it’s not suitable for pushchairs or elderly given the walk over the cliffs from Stackpole Quay car park. Also there are no facilities at the beach so be sure to take everything with you or it’s a lengthy walk back to the car, and please remember to take everything with you when you go this beach is pristine and should be left as you expect to find it.
Manorbier Beach Over looked by Manorbier Castle this sandy beach is backed by sand dunes and has a stream running down the middle. A lovely good sized sandy beach, great for those looking for a sun spot and although a popular destination with surfers as its south westerly facing , beware as it does have some very strong currents. There are some cafes and facilities in Manorbier and parking is available in the National trust car park or further along at freshwater East.
Freshwater East is a large beach offering a swath of golden sands backed by sand dunes. At low tide the beach becomes vast with plenty of space for all manner of beach sports and activities, whilst the cliffs at the eastern end provide some privacy for those looking for a spot of their own. The local facilities include a local café and restaurant. Parking is available across the road.
Freshwater West this is a lovely wide sandy beach backed by large sand dunes as it’s south westerly facing it’s a great beach for picking up a tan, whilst enjoying the breeze coming off the sea, however as it is south westerly facing and most of the UK winds come from that direction, it makes this beach one of the premier beaches in Pembrokeshire for surfers, surf kayakers and body boarders. However beware there are some seriously strong rips here and anyone venturing out should take these into account and pick up some local knowledge beforehand. The beach has a great vibe with plenty of surfers competing against each other for the good waves; the bounding road usually has loads of the hard-core surfer campers vans parked up along the road, as they wait for that perfect swell. Freshwater west is a frequent place for the outdoor centres to take people out on instruction courses of surf kayaking and surfing. If the surfs right, parking here can be impossible and on Bank holidays be sure to get there early. Facilities wise there’s usually a refreshments van there and some basic toilets so be sure to bring everything you might need.
Druidston has a magical feel to it probably due to the surrounding cliffs and remoteness of the long beach, bathing should not be taken lightly as there’s some very strong currents here and you need to keep an eye on the tide when you are on the beach as if you have ventured down to the north of the beach the tide can cut you off, despite this this is a lovely beach & unfortunately only accessible via the coastal path or via two paths along the lane joining Nolton Haven to Broad.
Caerfai is a little gem of a beach although little more than a rocky cove at high tide, between cliffs its location 1 mile south of St Davids makes it a popular though less known beach. When the tide is out this beach becomes beautiful and idyllic, with loads of rocky pools to keep the young explorer happy. If you heading out into the sea be very careful as there are some strong currents here. Unfortunately access to the beach is only available down a steep winding path so it may be tricky for elderly and those with children. There is parking for about 50 cars at the top of the beach and local facilities don’t come much cooler than those provided in the mini city of St Davids with its numerous specialist cafes, public houses and restaurants and loads of interesting craft shops and galleries along with specialist shops selling everything you need for beach life. Outdoor sport equipment can be purchased from either Ma Simes surf hut that stock everything surf related and offer surf courses at Whitesands beach, they also stock a host of surf label clothing and generally have a range of second hand boards and gear. Outdoor gear can also be bought from TYF shop that also do a range of both practical and label clothing. This company is also a large activity provider who offers a host of courses for those looking for a more adventurous time, see our section below on outdoor activity providers for further details.
Abereiddy a popular beach for outdoor activity providers to bring clients to try coasteering, this should only be attempted as part of an organised group with proper instruction and safety procedures. This beach has unusual dark sand made from the pounding of the grey slate. There is ample parking above the beach and the nearest facilities are those found in St Davids
Cwm-yr-Eglwys is a secret low tide beach providing a sandy cove, with stacks of rock pools for young explorers or daddy explorers, sheltered by a surrounding wall makes this little beach a little gem. This beach is popular with people launching their boats. Parking can be found in the village and toilets are available off the beach, nearby Pwllgwaelod has a shop garage and public house and fish shop so should be something for everyone.
East Angle Bay is a quiet beach popular with birdwatchers given the mudflats being an important feeding area. There plenty of parking along the road with nearest facilities in Angle
Gelliswick is a small beach with a shingle covering west of Milford Haven plenty of parking is available along the road, the nearest facilities are at Milford Haven Marina.
Goodwick Sands is a smallish sandy beach near the ferry terminal, several outdoor activity providers are located here, and for the young there is a discovery ocean centre. Dolphins and Basking sharks are sometimes spotted just off the beach so take a camera and hope to be lucky. There is plenty of free parking and even a café in the tourist information centre.
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