Best Beaches in Wales
Below are a list of the best and most beautiful 15 beaches in Wales as selected by the users of the Beach Guide website.
The current top-rated beach in Wales is Harlech. If you would like to have your say on which are the best beaches in Wales just follow the link to the beach and vote by clicking the star ratings at the top right of the page.
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1. Harlech Beach, Gwynedd
Harlech Beach provides a four-mile stretch of pristine golden sand, with stunning views of the Snowdonia mountain range. The beach is backed by grassy dunes. The Morfa Harlech National Nature Reserve at the north end of the beach is Wales’s only growing dune system and provides a good example of the effects of longshore drift. To the south lies Shell Island, a promontory which, as the name suggests has an abundance of shells. During the summer months leatherback turtles migrate from warmer climes…
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2. Rhossili Bay, Glamorgan
Often described as one of the best beaches in Wales, one of the best beaches in the UK and even within the top ten beaches in the world, the stunning and wild Rhossili Bay is under the watchful care of the National Trust.
Located on the southwestern tip of the Gower Peninsula, Rhossili Bay is made up of three miles of sandy shoreline, a huge expanse of which is exposed at low tide. Surfing is increasingly…
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3. Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire
The small but perfectly formed Barafundle Bay was once a relatively little known gem of the Pembroke coast. Then all of a sudden everybody wanted to give it an award and the secret was out. Blue Flag awards, features in Country Life and a place on numerous best of web features have all helped make Barafundle Bay one of Wales' best known beaches.
Of course it is all true and this is indeed a quite stunning beach. A broad stretch of golden sand flanked by pine covered Carboniferous limestone…
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4. Freshwater West Beach, Pembrokeshire
Freshwater West Beach is a long strip of sandy beach which is backed by the extensive dune system of Broomhill Burrows. It is an area with a fascinating history as it was once used by smugglers as a place to stash their booty.
Located on Wales' exposed west coast the beach at Freshwater West picks up all the Atlantic swells making it something of a local hotspot for surfing. Swimmers however should exercise caution if venturing into the waters here as the rip currents are strong and…
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5. Benllech Beach, Anglesey
Set on Anglesey's east coast, Benllech Beach is one of the most popular beaches on the island. It has fine golden sand and clear Blue Flag waters that are a delight for families to paddle and swim. At low tide the sand stretches for miles so there's plenty of space for activities including swimming, building sandcastles, windsurfing, sailing and sea fishing. There are plenty of rock pools providing opportunities to see crabs, starfish and small fish up-close.
Benllech Beach has good facilities…
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6. Llanddwyn Beach, Anglesey
Llanddwyn is an excellent sandy beach backed by forest and extensive dunes, at the south-western tip of Anglesey. The beach includes a narrow peninsula (Llanddwyn Island) jutting out into the Irish Sea.
Llanddwyn Beach stretches over a mile in length and is one of the largest areas of sand dunes in the British Isles. Also known as Newborough Warren, Llanddwyn Beach is in a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The area is rich in birds and wildlife, and beyond the dunes are…
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7. Morfa Bychan - Black Rock Sands Beach, Gwynedd
Morfa Bychan, known locally as Black Rock Sands, is a sandy beach, with rocky areas- although the rocks aren’t actually black. The beach stretches for about 2 miles and is backed by a dune system which has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest. There are plenty of rockpools to explore here as well as some interesting caverns. A river mouth lies at the south-eastern end of the beach, and the village of Morfa Bychan is a few hundred meters away. The beach has lovely views of the mountains…
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8. Abersoch Beach, Gwynedd
Abersoch is a popular seaside resort on the Llyn Peninsula about 7 miles southwest of Pwllheli. It takes its name from the Afon Soch River which feeds into the harbour at the south end of the beach. Originally a fishing port, Abersoch is now a top spot for dinghy sailing and watersports including windsurfing and jet skiing. Occasional surf around the corner at Hell's Mouth or Porth Ceiriad.
The Beach regularly hosts international sailing…
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9. Dinas Dinlle Beach, Gwynedd
Just a short drive from Caernarfon, the beautiful beach at Dinas Dinlle is well worth a visit. It has free parking nearby and a beach café that serves an excellent Welsh breakfast. Facilities include disabled access, promenade, toilets and a beach shop but you need to bring beach chairs. The beach has extensive golden sands that give way to an area of pebbles near the road.
One of the best things about Dinas Dinlle beach is the wonderful view across the bay to Anglesey…
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10. Lligwy Beach, Anglesey
Wide, sandy beach located just around the corner from the village of Moelfre. The beach of Traeth Lligwy is backed by low sand dunes giving it a wild, open feel, which is exactly what it is. At low tide a large expanse of firm sand is revealed providing all the space you could need for beach games of any description. Along with a range of facilities including toilets, car parks and a shop this is a great family beach that still manges to retain a natural feel. Traeth Lligwy beach is also popular…
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11. Aberffraw Bay, Anglesey
Aberffraw Bay (pronounced "Aber-frow") is an unspoilt sandy beach that is just far enough from the nearest parking spot to make sure it never get busy. Backed by extensive low sand dunes, the beach feels particularly expansive. These dunes are a Special Area of Conservation and lead all the way back to the village of Aberffraw where you will find shops, cafes etc At the northern end of the beach the river Ffraw runs out to sea. This is apparently a good surf break on the right day, but that's not…
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12. Trearddur Bay, Anglesey
Trearddur Bay, located a couple of miles from Holyhead, is one of Anglesey's best beaches. A vast expanse of sand overlooked by a large hotel and two golf courses, the beach is also the site of an ancient burial ground, excavated in 2003. This ancient link reflects how the town gets its name from the Welsh for "Arthur's Town".
The long curving sand slopes gently into the sea and gets the sun all day long. At low tide there is plenty of sand for walking and ball games. Trearddur Bay is perfect…
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13. Traeth yr Ora Beach, Anglesey
This lovely wide, sand and shingle beach is just far enough off the beaten track to make this one of Anglesey's true hidden gems.
The beach itself is a long stretch of sand and shingle at high tide. As the tide drops out an expanse of flat sand is revealed.
Set between its more popular neighbour, Lligwy beach and the mouth of Afon Goch (Red river). A little way off the coast is Dulas Island with its pointed tower. It is said the tower…
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14. Llangrannog Beach, Ceredigion
Llangrannog would have started life as a rural village attached to a port, but nowadays the beach here is the main draw and one of the best loved in Ceredigion. The beach here sits below a series of craggy cliffs and on what is part of the scenic Wales Coast Path.
Llangrannog beach is a family friendly stretch of sand which has lifeguards over the summer months. As well as being ideal for all the usual beach activities and bathing, The Beach is popular for watersports including surfing.…
15. Three Cliffs Bay, Glamorgan
Three Cliff Bay is one of the Gower's most photographed locations, and for good reason. A wide bay of golden sand backed by gently sloping dunes to the rear Three Cliff is easily recognised by the limestone headland to the east with its iconic three summits. Three Cliffs has been cited as both Britain's best beach and Britain's best view on separate occasion.
Despite Three Cliffs Bay's obvious attractions it is rarely very busy and often…
