Whitesands Beach (Porthmawr)

  • Whitesands Beach - Pembrokeshire
    © Linda Bailey and licensed for reuse under this Licence
  • Whitesands Beach - Pembrokeshire
    © mattbuck4950 and licensed for reuse under this Licence
  • Whitesands Beach - Pembrokeshire
    © mattbuck4950 and licensed for reuse under this Licence
  • Whitesands Beach - Pembrokeshire
    © mattbuck4950 and licensed for reuse under this Licence
  • Whitesands Beach - Pembrokeshire
    © mattbuck4950 and licensed for reuse under this Licence
  • Whitesands Beach - Pembrokeshire
    © Pauline Eccles and licensed for reuse under this Licence
  • Whitesands Beach - Pembrokeshire
    © foilman and licensed for reuse under this Licence
  • Whitesands Beach - Pembrokeshire
    © mattbuck4950 and licensed for reuse under this Licence
  • Whitesands Beach - Pembrokeshire
    © mattbuck4950 and licensed for reuse under this Licence
  • 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 also one of the best spots for surfing on the Welsh coast.

    Sweeping down from the rambling hills behind the beach are open fields and meadows. The main hill in the area is called Carn Llidi and is one of the best spots to go walking in Pembrokeshire.

    The scenery here stunning and there are a wide range of flora and fauna on show. The cliffs that surround the beach are covered in bluebells, sea campion, thrift, and golden gorse and you will find seagulls and gannets that fly over from the colony on Grassholm Island.

    As a Blue Flag beach you can expect a good range of facilities at Whitesands beach. Along with a cafe and toilets there are lifeguards on patrol during the summer months.

    In terms of activities there is more than just surfing; swimming, canoeing, kayaking and kite surfing are all possible in the waters around Whitesands Beach.

    Just off the coast here are a set of craggy islands and reefs known as the Bishops and Clerks. These were once notorious as a spot for shipwrecks claiming many victims over the centuries.

    If you explore the northern end of Whitesands you will find the ruins of a chapel for sailors that is dedicated to St. Patrick and dates from the 6th century. Sailors would come here to worship before going to sea and also return and give thanks when they had completed a safe voyage.

    Also known as:

    Porthmawr

    Type of beach

    Sandy

    Lifeguard service

    Yes

    Dogs friendly beach?

    Dogs are banned from May 1st through to September 30th.

    Pembrokeshire dog friendly beaches »

    Activities

    • Kayaking/canoeing
    • Swimming/bathing
    • Surfing
    • Wind surfing

    Facilities

    • Cafe/restaurant
    • Toilets
    • Disabled facilities
    • First aid point
    • Shop
    • Slipway

    Nearest town

    St Davids

    Postcode

    SA62 6PS

    OS grid ref.

    SM 7329 2699

    Parking

    Parking is available for 100 cars. including disabled spaces. and there is a charge.

    Water quality

    Water quality star rating

    Awards

    Blue Flag AwardMarine Conservation Society Recommended

    Submit a correction

    Whitesands Beach Reviews

    Aug 23rd 2020

    The facilities at the beach are a rip off, £5 for parking and you have to pay to go to the toilet. Totally wrong in this day and age.

    Traeth Mawr

    Jon Frjals
    Jan 11th 2021

    Clue is in the name ‘Great beach’ whatever the weather.  Tis’ true that the cafe and loos are underwhelming but that is not why you go there.  Car park is expensive but basic laws of supply and demand in the summer. Best time to go there for me is 5 p.m to 7 p.m. - sun going down and glistening over the water.  Crowds generally disappeared.  Easy access to coastal path.  Love it!

    Beautiful beach

    Jo Hardman
    Jul 24th 2023

    Large expanse of golden sand, great for water sports, various walks nearby. Good beach for families and there are facilities on site.

    Kids and teens favourite beach

    Jul 24th 2021

    Parking for the day is reasonably priced at only £5 and cafe food good. The ice creams are delicious! Lots of surf board hire. Pretty beach and good life guard hut. It is popular in the summer holidays so need to be parking by 10/11 am at latest. Fantastic coastal walks off beach. Beach always clean.

    No trees

    Apr 03rd 2021

    Sand is nice, expensive beach when told it is free. Very bare countryside, no trees and too open. No, not for me…

    Unfair

    Bill
    Apr 15th 2021

    There are plenty more beaches in Pembrokeshire that don’t rip people off it is after all it’s just another beach.