Best beaches in Pembrokeshire

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Below are a list of the top 16 beaches in Pembrokeshire as selected by the users of the Beach Guide website.

The current most popular beach in Pembrokeshire is Barafundle Bay. If you would like to have your say on which are the best beaches in Pembrokeshire just follow the link to the beach and vote by clicking the star ratings at the top right of the page.

  • 1. Barafundle Bay

    Barafundle Bay ©

    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…

  • 2. Freshwater West Beach

    Freshwater West © Mariosp | BY-SA

    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…

  • 3. Marloes Sands Beach

    Marloes Sands © Colin Park | BY-SA

    Stretching over a mile this expanse of golden sand offers some of the most spectacular scenery anywhere on the Welsh coast. Set on a peninsula that forms the south-westerly tip of Wales, Marloes Sands is exposed to the full force of the ocean. Combined with the high cliffs that back the beach, this is a…

  • 4. Whitesands Beach

    Whitesands © Linda Bailey | BY-SA

    As the name suggest, Whitesands Beach is a long strip of white sand which stretches northwards towards direction of St. David’s Head. It is also sometimes known as Porthmawr which is the Welsh for Big Harbour.

    Whitesands Bay is popular for good reason and is regarded as one of the finest beaches in Pembrokeshire. It is…

  • 5. Freshwater East Beach

    Freshwater East © Geoff Cooper | BY-SA

    The sweeping sandy bay of Freshwater East is backed by sand dunes and sheltered by the headland of Trewent Point. This is one of the finest beaches on the Pembroke coast and has something for everyone. It’s a great family beach with conditions generally safe for swimming, although there is no lifeguard service. The beach…

  • 6. North Tenby Beach

    North Tenby © Timhill

    Tenby North Beach is easy to spot if you are in Tenby thanks to the iconic Goscar Rock the rears out of the sand in the centre of the strip. The beach is one of the best-loved in the area and is tucked away between Harbour Beach and the elegant North Cliffs. As a result,…

  • 7. Saundersfoot Beach

    Saundersfoot © Capt' Gorgeous | BY-SA

    Situated in front of the village of Saundersfoot with its small harbour this sandy beach is very popular. The gently sloping sands make for safe swimming and all amenities are provided by the shops and cafes along the beach front. All in all this a great family beach.

    A short walk to the north,…

  • 8. Poppit Sands Beach

    Poppit Sands © Dylan Moore | BY-SA

    Poppit Sands West is a popular, sandy beach, backed by hilly countryside, looking out over the mouth of the River Teifi. The beach is a good destination for bathing, and during the summer months there are lifeguards on duty from 10am until 6pm every day, and a marked out swimming zone.

    It is not advisable to…

  • 9. Broadhaven Beach

    Broadhaven © Gordon Hatton | BY-SA

    The village of Broadhaven grew as a resort during the Victorian era. Despite its small size it has a rather grand sea front complete with promenade. Today it is still a popular spot, largely owing to the quality of the beach here which is a regular recipient of the Blue Flag award.

    At high tide all…

  • 10. Newgale Sands Beach

    Newgale Sands © Grassrootsgroundswell | BY-SA

    Newgale Sands is definitely one of the biggest and quite possibly one of the best beaches in Wales. At over two miles long this vast sweep of pebble-backed sand has masses of space, which is fortunate because it is popular with just about everyone; families, surfers, kite-surfers and even dogs love Newgale.

    Newgale’s position on the…

  • 11. South Tenby Beach

    South Tenby © Michael Graham | BY-SA

    Tenby South Beach stretches for a mile and a half across coast that backed by soft sand dunes. The beach is located between St Catherine’s Island and the headland of Giltar Point. The area closest to Tenby town is the most popular part of the beach but if you walk a little further along towards…

  • 12. Skrinkle Haven Beach

    Skrinkle Haven © Roman Grac

    Skrinkle Haven beach sits between Old Castle Head and Lydstep Point and is located to the south-east of pretty Manorbier Village. There is a small bay here that is encircled by high cliffs and when the tide is low you will find a wide expanse of soft golden sand. To get to the beach you…

  • 13. Caerfai Bay

    Caerfai Bay © Richard Law | BY-SA

    Caerfai Bay beach sits in a rock-filled cove nestled between stunning cliffs just outside of the town (or city) of St Davids. It is also located on Wales’ Heritage Coast and often visited for its rock formations which include stones of every hue here, particularly pinks and greens.

    Towards high tide much of the beach…

  • 14. Druidston Haven Beach

    Druidston Haven © Alan Hughes | BY-SA

    The secluded beach of Druidston Haven is backed and flanked by dramatic cliffs which, at low tide, overlook a long strip of golden sand. Towards the northern end of the beach are some interesting rock formations. These include a number of naturally formed rock arches and little caves. One thing to note if you…

  • 15. Watwick Beach

    Watwick © Gordon Hatton | BY-SA

    Watwick Bay is a small east-facing beach at the mouth of Milford Haven. It is set on the remote and narrow peninsula leading to St Annes Head. The beach is rather steep and is made up mostly of sand. In the summer months the beach gets the best of the sun due to its favourable…

  • 16. Manorbier Bay

    Manorbier Bay © Reading Tom | BY-SA

    Often described as one of the most beautiful spots in Wales, Manorbier Bay is one of the area’s most popular beaches.

    The sandy shoreline of Manorbier Bay is surrounded by cliffs and dunes and the dramatic landscape makes the area extremely popular with walkers. A portion of the famous Pembrokeshire Coastal Path runs from Manorbier to…