Top Pembrokeshire beaches

Did you know that Pembrokeshire has more award-winning beaches than any other county in the UK? Or that the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is the UK’s only coastal national park, with 186 miles of stunning coastline? Or that there are over 50 beaches in Pembrokeshire? 

Discover golden sands, secret rock pools and breathtaking coves, not forgetting plentiful ice creams, water sports and fresh, wide-open spaces. 

There are so many beautiful beaches and things to do in coastal Pembrokeshire you’re spoilt for choice, which is why we’ve put together this handy guide to the best Pembrokeshire beaches for you. 

We've highlighted the best Pembrokeshire beaches across the South, Mid and North of the county so you don’t miss out on your coastal holiday.

A memorable trip to any of these beautiful beaches in Pembrokeshire makes for an ideal day out on your family holiday, short break, coastal adventure or dog-friendly break in Pembrokeshire. Take a look at our guide to dog-friendly beaches in Pembrokeshire for pet-friendly trips to beautiful West Wales. 

And if you fancy staying a little longer than a day trip we can help with that too! Browse hundreds of hand-picked Pembrokeshire holiday cottages selected especially for you.

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Tenby Beach

Tenby is home to not one but four beautiful beaches, making it the go-to place for a memorable family holiday in West Wales. 

We’ve grouped these golden sandy beaches into one to give you even more choice of the best beaches in Pembrokeshire. 

Enjoy sandy toes and paws with your canine companion. All these beaches are dog-friendly with some seasonal restrictions. Visit our guide to dog-friendly beaches in Tenby for more information.

Tenby North Beach

Tenby North is a striking long beach, full of golden sand. It’s a picture-perfect beach backed by Tenby’s iconic pastel-coloured buildings and enjoys views of pretty Tenby harbour. You can stay right on the harbour in Harbour House 1 or Down Below, both charming seaside apartments housed in the popular blue house that lines Tenby Harbour Beach. 

The notable Goskar Rock sits proudly in the middle of this sheltered beach, making it the centre of attention for those cherished holiday photos. 

There’s far more than pretty pastel views behind this fantastic beach; while sitting with your toes in the sand you can enjoy spectacular distant views of Carmarthen Bay. 

Tenby North is generally dog-friendly, with plenty of golden sands for your canine companion to enjoy. There are some seasonal restrictions, with no dogs allowed between 1st May and 30th September and dogs need to be kept on leads in the harbour and promenade areas. 

Lifeguards patrol Tenby North Beach in the summer, please check here for up-to-date lifeguard patrol times and dates. Swim safely between the red and yellow flags, which is the area patrolled by lifeguards.

Tenby South Beach

Park up near this 1.5-mile sandy beach or at The Esplanade car park and you’ll be treated not only to wide, beautiful golden sands but also a fine view of Caldey Island, Carmarthen Bay and, on a clear day, the Gower Peninsula and North Devon!

A dune-backed playground for windsurfers and other beachside adventurers, this beach also offers a range of refreshing beachside cafes and restaurants serving tasty meals and light bites.  

Tenby South is Tenby’s most dog-friendly beach. There are some restrictions on the area below the cliffs, east of the beach car park/cafe between 1st May and 30th September. Outside of these months, dogs can enjoy getting sandy paws and running around to their heart's desire.  

Lifeguards patrol Tenby South Beach over spring and summer bank holiday weekends and during the summer, please check here for up-to-date lifeguard patrol dates and times. Swim safely between the red and yellow flags as this is the area patrolled by lifeguards.

Castle Beach Tenby

One of Tenby’s award-winning beaches, picture-perfect Castle Beach beat off competition from 422 other beaches around the UK to be crowned the Sunday Times Beach of the Year in 2019, making it the favourite beach for a classic seaside family holiday. 

The combination of being ideally located close to Tenby town and having superb facilities makes this fantastic beach a winner. On arrival at Castle Beach, you’re greeted with a magical view of St Catherines Island and Napoleonic Fortress, a feature in lots of Tenby snaps. 

Take a short boat trip to Caldey Island from here (purchase tickets from the neighbouring harbour) and discover the finest handmade chocolate and perfume that the Cistercian monks make on the island. 

Castle Beach is generally dog-friendly, with no dogs allowed on the whole beach west of St Catherine’s Island between 1st May and 30th September.

Lifeguards patrol Castle Beach in the summer, please check here for Castle Beach lifeguard patrol dates. Swim safely between the red and yellow flags as this is the area patrolled by lifeguards.

Tenby Harbour Beach

The focus of many a Tenby photo, this pretty little harbour has lots to offer for a family day out. Enjoy golden sands, stunning views of Tenby’ pastel seafront, the red pop of the old lifeboat station, the new lifeboat station famed as the resting place for Wally the Walrus, coasteering, boats bobbing in the harbour, sailors sailing the beautiful blue water, boat trips to Caldey Island and much more. This little beach is just minutes down the road from all the amazing cafes, shops and restaurants Tenby town has to offer. 

As you drive into Tenby you’re welcomed with a sign featuring a Greek phrase: ‘The sea washes away all the ills of men’, a lovely phrase that captures the essence of this relaxing seaside town. The quote from Euripides is also found near the harbour above the door of the Grade II-listed Laston House, Tenby’s former bathhouse built by Sir William Paxton in 1810. You can stay in nearby Laston House 2 and enjoy some of the best sea views Tenby has to offer. 

Seasonal dog restrictions apply, with no dogs allowed from 1st May to 30th September.

Barafundle Bay

The first beach in our guide is beautiful Barafundle Bay. You won’t be disappointed with the breathtaking view that awaits after the half-mile coast walk from the car park at Stackpole Quay, a quaint little harbour with a cafe and toilets.

This pristine, tranquil beach could easily be mistaken for the Caribbean, and we can see why! With its golden, dune-backed sand, crystal-clear waters and scenic views, Barafundle frequently tops the charts as being voted one of the best beaches in the world.

Be sure to pack a picnic if you’re heading to Barafundle for the day as there are no facilities, and check the tide times to make sure you have plenty of sand to play on. 

Take your canine companions all year round to splash about and enjoy the walk and fresh sea air. Let them run around to their heart's content, with no restrictions on this beach - ideal for a coastal dog-friendly holiday in Pembrokeshire.

Freshwater West

Wild and open, this south-westerly facing beach is ideal for experienced surfers and windsurfers. Freshwest, as the locals call it, is one of Wales’s top surf beaches. 

You can spot a thatched shack on the foreshore which was built as an example of one of many shelters that were once used to dry seaweed for laverbread, a traditional Welsh delicacy.

Outer Reef Surf School offers lessons here for all abilities and will also be delivering a range of water sports, including kayaking, powerboating and sailing, from the Marine Centre of Excellence in Saundersfoot. 

Harry Potter fans will recognise this dune-backed sandy beach as the location for Shell Cottage and the final resting place of Dobby the house-elf. Not just one but three films have featured this beach! Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood used it as a backdrop for an epic beach battle scene, and it was used as a double for Dunkirk in the romance/comedy/war film Their Finest. 

Lifeguards patrol here in the summer, please check here for Freshwater West lifeguard patrol dates and times. Swim safely between the red and yellow flags, the area patrolled by lifeguards.

Broad Haven

Another family favourite, this safe and popular sandy beach has all you need for a family day building sandcastles at the seaside. A range of fantastic cafes and restaurants line the shore so you’re guaranteed a well-deserved ice cream or a chance to dine while watching the sunset - a meal with quite the view. 

Look out for the imposing Lion’s Head rock at the end of the beach, surrounded by intriguing rock pools that are a great place for kids to explore. 

This large, west-facing beach is also a favourite for water sports, with nearby Haven Sports offering hire on surfboards, paddleboards, kayaks, bodyboards and wetsuits.

The beach is dog-friendly most of the year, with a dog restriction to the northern third of the beach in place between 1st May and 30th September. 

Lifeguards patrol here in the summer, please check here for Broad Haven lifeguard patrol times and dates. Swim safely between the red and yellow flags as this is the area patrolled by lifeguards.

Broad Haven South

Breath-taking Broad Haven South is a sandy, golden-dune-backed beach. It’s a real visual treat at the end of a leisurely walk through Bosherston Lily Ponds. 

The impressive Church Rock jutting out from the sea makes for a memorable photo, while the stream that runs all the way from the lily pond walk entrance down to the sea is extra special for exploring and paddling. 

The beautiful blue waters here are ideal for swimming and kayaking, while dogs can enjoy the experience all year round. 

Access and toilets at the Trefalen car park above is via steep steps, so pushchairs and wheelchair users are advised to access via the lily pond mile-long walk. 

Nearby Bosherston village offers delicious food and cakes from the local Bosherston Tea Rooms, and there is also the fantastic St. Govan’s Inn, a traditional pub with a roaring log fire in the colder months. 

Little Haven

Little Haven is a super-sweet village with a small sandy beach, popular with boat users due to the slipway access. There are lots of rock pools for little ones to explore. 

Families, friends and couples can relax and enjoy a meal and drink with gorgeous views here at one of the nearby pubs, taking in the fresh sea air and watching the sunset.

Follow the accessible path up to The Point where you’ll experience fantastic sea views and a special view back towards the village. If you’re feeling adventurous, at low tide you’ll even be able to walk around to Broad Haven North. 

Little Haven is dog-friendly all year round, so your favourite friend can enjoy the seaside trip too. 

Poppit Sands

This sweetly named sandy beach at the mouth of the Teifi Estuary is backed by dunes and marks the northern end of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. Continue along this beautiful coastal path for 186 miles and you’ll end up in the long sandy expanse of Amroth. 

Poppit Sands is popular for kite buggying, landboarding, kitesurfing and power kiting, with around 0.5 miles of wide-open beach to play on and lots of hard sand for buggiers and boarders to enjoy.

Poppit Sands is dog-friendly, with restrictions to the western end of the beach between 1st May and 30th September.

Watch out for the strong currents and fast-moving incoming tides at this northerly beach to ensure you have lots of beach to enjoy without getting cut off. 

Lifeguards patrol Poppit Sands in the summer, please check here for up-to-date patrol times and dates. Swim safely between the red and yellow flags as this is the lifeguard-patrolled area. 

Freshwater East

Just 4 miles outside of the historic town of Pembroke, with breathtaking views on the drive down, lies Freshwater East, a sweeping sandy bay backed by sand dunes and sheltered by the Trewent Point headland. 

Freshwater East beach is ideal for a family day out exploring rock pools, swimming and playing beach games at the seaside. 

This picturesque beach is also popular for adventure seekers, with experienced surfers enjoying some awesome waves and kayakers and bodyboarders joining in on the fun too. 

Stay in a Freshwater East holiday chalet in nearby Freshwater Bay Holiday Village. Holiday with your canine companion and enjoy this dog-friendly beach all year round. 

Marloes Sands

This huge, wild expanse of sand can be found on the edge of Pembrokeshire and has incredible coastal views. Interesting cliff formations and rock pools can be explored here too. 

Scenes from the Hollywood blockbuster Snow White and the Huntsman were filmed here, making it another film favourite on our list of top Pembrokeshire beaches.  

Intermediate to experienced surfers can enjoy good solid swells here with north-easterly winds. Marloes’ surfing is best at mid to low tide, with it breaking over the sand. If surfing at this beach then watch out for rip currents, rocks and getting cut off by the rising tide. 

Parking is half a mile away at the National Trust car park with an ice cream van. Delicious food can be enjoyed from Runwayskiln, a popular local coastal cafe. Toilet facilities are also available beside the cafe. Nearby Marloes village is also home to a pub, restaurant and cafe/bar. 

Amroth Beach

This half-mile stretch of sand is great for beach games and marks the end (or start) of the 186-mile-long Pembrokeshire Coast Path. 

Lined by cafes, shops and pubs, this is an ideal family beach for a day out at the seaside enjoying ice creams and building sandcastles and memories.  

Amroth is dog-friendly most of the year, with plenty of sand to run about on. Restrictions to the central and western end of the beach apply between 1st May and 20th September. 

Lifeguards patrol here in the summer, please check here for up-to-date patrol dates. Swim safely between the red and yellow flags.

Wiseman’s Bridge

Along the coast between Amroth and Saundersfoot is the wide, rocky Wiseman’s Bridge beach. Enjoy a day exploring the many rock pools and admiring the petrified forest which can be seen when the tide is very low. 

Enjoy stunning views and tasty food from the Wiseman’s Bridge Inn, a fantastic local coastal pub with a popular beer garden - you’ll see why when you visit.

Dogs can also enjoy this beach all year round with no restrictions and plenty of room to roam and run. It’s also popular with ramblers due to the links with the rest of the coastline’s paths and tunnels. 

Stay in a luxury lodge at nearby Heritage Park in Stepaside and enjoy woodland walks to this beautiful beach. 

Newgale Beach

Newgale is a vast sandy beach backed by a huge pebble bank. A spectacular view greets you on the drive down to this breathtaking beach. Enjoy around 2 miles of golden sands here, with a pub and cafe nearby for refreshments. Wrap up warm and cwtch up on the pebbles for sunsets to remember. 

Due to the vastness of the open beach, it’s a popular spot for kitesurfing and surfing, with lessons and board hire available from Newsurf. South-westerly facing and a little sheltered by the Marloes peninsula, this beach offers fairly consistent surf, with good swells and easterly winds creating the best waves.

There’s plenty of open space for your four-legged friend to run around here, with restrictions on the middle third of the beach from 1st May to 30th September. 

Lifeguards patrol this long stretch of sand and pebbles in the summer, please check lifeguard patrol times and dates at Newgale Central, Newgale North and Newgale South. Swim safely between the red and yellow flags as these are the areas patrolled by lifeguards.

Saundersfoot Beach

Saundersfoot is a pretty village with a beautiful harbour and a gorgeous stretch of golden sandy beach. Fantastic views of the beach and village can be enjoyed from the top of St Bride’s Hill, or Heartbreak Hill as the Ironman Wales contestants call it. 

Plenty of food options are available in the village, from seafood to fish and chips on the harbour and a converted street food horsebox on the beach itself! Scrummy ice creams are also available from ice cream vans on the beach and the ice cream hut at the top of the slipway. You can also enjoy sea fishing trips around this beautiful area, departing from Saundersfoot’s bustling harbour. Spot beautiful distant views of Pendine sands and Worms Head in the distance. 

Saundersfoot beach is dog-friendly most of the year, with restrictions from the harbour up to the magnificent tree-topped rock between the 1st May and 30th September. 

Lifeguards patrol here in the summer, please check here for up-to-date patrol times and dates. Swim safely between the lifeguard patrolled red and yellow flags.

Coppet Hall Beach

Coppet Hall is a small, accessible sandy beach with parking right next to the beach and beach wheelchair hire available. If you fancy a leisurely walk, take the tunnel through to The Strand and along to Saundersfoot village. 

Relax and enjoy the view from Coppet Hall, treat yourself to some fine dining at Coast or enjoy ice cream and refreshments from the Kiosk Cafe. 

Good Trails paddleboard school offers paddleboarding lessons in Saundersfoot’s big protected bay. They also offer SUP (stand up paddleboarding) Safaris for intermediate to experienced paddleboarders, starting from Tenby and paddling along the coast to Saundersfoot and Coppet Hall, or starting from Coppet Hall and paddling along to Monkstone Point with fantastic glimpses of colourful Tenby. You can also hire out paddleboards, bikes, beach wheelchairs and kayaks for your own adventures.  

Abereiddy

Abereiddy is a small beach made up of pebbles and extraordinarily dark sand, naturally formed from ground grey slate. A seasonal kiosk can be found in the car park selling ice creams and refreshments. 

The nearby Blue Lagoon is a former slate quarry, now flooded with seawater giving it an amazing deep blue colouring. The path here is accessible for wheelchair and scooter users. 

The Blue Lagoon is a popular spot for coasteering, kayaking and diving. The Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series has been held here which saw contestants dive gracefully from the cliffs high above, splashing spectacularly into the lagoon below. 

You can try out coasteering here with Celtic Quest Coasteering. Coasteering is an exhilarating coastal activity where you climb along the cliffs at sea level and leap into the sea to get around. Take a look at our full guide to Pembrokeshire coasteering for more information on the best providers and locations for coasteering in Pembrokeshire. Abereiddy is also an ideal location for water sports during an activity holiday in West Wales. 

Surfing can be enjoyed at Abereiddy thanks to a big swell from easterly winds - there are strong currents though so be aware. 

Manorbier Beach

Manorbier is a pretty, unspoilt beach overlooked by a magnificent castle. It's a sandy, dune-backed beach popular with surfers due to its southwest-facing position. There are also strong currents here so be aware when swimming. There are rock pools and a stream to explore, along with ice creams to be enjoyed from the seasonal ice cream van. 

Manorbier is popular with walkers as it is surrounded by cliffs and dramatic landscape. There are also some cafes and pubs in nearby Manorbier village to help refresh after a day at the beach. 

Beautiful sunsets can be enjoyed here watching the sun sink behind Eastmoor Cliff to the right of the beach. 

West Angle Bay

Tucked away in this spectacular bay is West Angle Beach, a beautiful horseshoe cove.  At low tide, you’ll be treated to a massive stretch of golden sand. Enjoy refreshments at Wavecrest Cafe, a special place with a truly unique beachside location.

You can enjoy a day splashing about in the sea, swimming or kayaking. This safe, sandy beach has toilets along with pushchair and wheelchair access. 

Angle is also a great spot for a day’s fishing or wildlife watching. Admire impressive rock formations and explore the plentiful rock pools - a perfect family day out at the seaside. 

Relax on the sand and enjoy watching passing ships travelling up and down the waterway in the distance. Look out for the impressive Thorn Island and its Napoleonic fort, right in the middle of the busy Milford Haven Waterway, one of the deepest natural harbours in the world.

Image by Visit Wales with TYF Adventure

Caerfai Bay

Caerfai Bay is a sheltered, south-facing suntrap. It’s ideally located just 1 mile from the quaint city of St Davids, Britain’s smallest city, home to a magnificent cathedral and fantastic eateries. 

With a beautiful sandy beach at low tide, Caerfai Bay makes a perfect sheltered spot to explore the rock pools and enjoy panoramic views across St Brides Bay.

The path and steps to the beach are quite steep, and please check tide times to make sure you can enjoy the sandy beach for as long as possible. 

TYF offers adventure activities nearby. Why not try kayaking or climbing at Porthclais or coasteering at St. Nons?

Dale

Sit, relax and watch an array of watersport activities in this bustling bay. If you’re feeling active then Dale is the perfect spot for windsurfing and sailing, with its mile-wide sheltered bay. Dale waters are clean and gently shelving: ideal for sailing and kayaking. 

Enjoy a leisurely walk around Dale or relax and enjoy a bite to eat at the nearby cafes and pubs. The Griffin Inn offers award-winning seafood dishes and al fresco dining with relaxing sea views.

Watersports courses available at Dale include sailing, water skiing, wakeboarding, wake surfing and snorkelling. You can also hire out kayaks, dinghies and snorkelling equipment from Celtic Sea Watersports.

Why not book an idyllic boat trip to Skomer, Skokholm or Grassholm Island. Whether you want to land on Skomer and explore, enjoy a leisurely cruise around the surrounding waters, or take a high-speed adventure on a thrilling Sea Safari, Pembrokeshire Island Boat Trips have something for everyone.

Somer Island is home to colourful puffins and their baby pufflings from April to August. You’ll see more puffins on Skomer from mid-June to mid-July as the parents are busy flying around with food for their baby pufflings. Magical carpets of bright bluebells can also be enjoyed on Skomer Island during spring.  

Dale beach is dog-friendly for most of the year, with restrictions at the beach’s northern end between 1st May and 30th September. 

Newport Sands Beach

Another dune-backed sandy beach, Newport Sands offers plenty of space to enjoy beach activities. It’s also known as Traeth Mawr, or Big Beach, due to its size! 

Water sports are popular here, and Newport itself is home to cafes, a golf club, bike hire and galleries. The golf club backs onto the beach making for a stunning day of golf. 

Enjoy an ice cream from the ice cream shop and keep an eye out for wonderful wildlife including dolphins, swans and dogfish. 

Lifeguards patrol Newport Sands in the summer, please check here for up-to-date patrol times and dates. Swim safely between the red and yellow flags as this is the area patrolled by lifeguards.

Whitesands

This vast expanse of golden sand is popular with surfers and is overlooked by the impressive Carn Llidi hill, a photo favourite. 

Witness magical islands, amazing wildlife, spectacular cliffs and some of the most powerful currents in the UK with a thrilling boat ride. 

Image by Thousand Island Expeditions

Wildlife adventure boat trips to Ramsey, Skomer and Grassholm Islands leave from the old RNLI Lifeboat Station at St Justinians, along with Thousand Islands Expeditions and Voyages of Discovery who also run whale and dolphin trips and fishing trips.

Image by Voyages of Discovery

Ramsey Island is home to Atlantic Grey Seals and their cute pups from late August to October, while Somer Island is home to puffins and their cute pufflings from April through to August. Beautiful carpets of bluebells can also be enjoyed during spring. 

If you fancy a bit of surfing then TYF has been running surfing lessons at Whitesands since 1984. They use special beginners’ boards, warm wetsuits and skilled instructors for a safe and enjoyable experience. 

Whitesands is dog-friendly with vast golden sands for your doggos to enjoy. There are seasonal restrictions, with no dogs allowed between 1st May and 30th September.

Lifeguards patrol this popular surfing beach during peak times such as summer holidays, Easter school holidays, spring weekends and October half term. Please check here for up-to-date patrol times and dates. Swim safely between the lifeguard patrolled red and yellow flags.

Druidston Beach

Druidston Haven is a magical, secluded beach, and its cliff formations are fascinating. Facing west, it’s ideally located for watching the sun go down - head to nearby Druidstone beer garden, a local favourite, for the best view. 

The natural beauty here is spectacular, with plenty of arches, caves and rock pools to explore. There’s a bit of a stony path down to this special beach and limited roadside parking nearby, so please be mindful when parking up and don’t block the road. 

Map of Pembrokeshire Beaches

Enjoy a day at the seaside and plan your route to these top beaches in Pembrokeshire.

Stay with us in Pembrokeshire

We have a fantastic selection of hand-picked cottages, apartments and lodges in Pembrokeshire to inspire your next coastal holiday. Take your pick of cottages with sea views and soak up the picture-postcard scenery. Enjoy warm summer evenings relaxing on the balcony or warming up by the log fire after long beach days.

Start planning your memorable seaside escape by browsing our wonderful coastal Pembrokeshire cottages, and treat yourself to a well-deserved break in West Wales.

Discover more of Pembrokeshire

• Outdoor activities in Pembrokeshire
• A local’s guide to Pembrokeshire
• Guide to dog-friendly beaches in Tenby

We’ve listed some of our favourite, award-winning beaches here. They stay award-winning if kept tidy, so please respect the area and leave nothing but footprints after your visit.

Always check tide times and lifeguard status before your visit, and stay safe on the beach.

*Seasonal restrictions apply