Tenby beach guide

If you’ve not been to one of Tenby’s beautiful beaches then you’re missing out! Tenby is home to not one but four brilliant sandy beaches, all perfectly placed around this quaint seaside town. 

You’re never far away from a tasty meal, refreshing beverage, delicious ice cream or perfect photo opportunity when visiting one of Tenby’s beaches, plus most of them have received the Blue Flag Award for their water quality and excellent facilities. Beyond Tenby, there are also plenty of beautiful Pembrokeshire beaches to visit too. 

From a day out with the family building sandcastles and exploring rock pools to a romantic stroll with your loved one, or from windsurfing along the coast to boat trips out at sea, there’s a beach to suit everyone in this pretty seaside town. Check out our guide to Tenby for more inspiration. 

It’s no wonder Roald Dahl enjoyed an Easter break or two here during his childhood! In 1933, he wrote in a letter “an Easter holidays is hardly an Easter holidays without Tenby.” We couldn’t agree more Roald, it’s scrumdiddlyumptious!

Our self-catering cottages in Pembrokeshire with sea views provide a comfortable base for your special holiday in West Wales. And if you’re bringing your four-legged friend along, be sure to check out our guide to dog-friendly beaches in Tenby.

Tenby cottages

Tenby North Beach

Famous for the iconic Goskar rock that sits proudly in the middle of this long stretch of golden sandy beach, Tenby North Beach makes for a picture-perfect holiday snap. Sit back, relax and enjoy calming views over Carmarthen Bay from this easterly facing beach that enjoys the sunshine all day. 

Pretty pastel houses and a promenade line the clifftop along North Beach, while photogenic Tenby Harbour sits snugly at one end, so you can sit, relax, and watch the boats sailing by. 

There’s a slight walk from Tenby North Beach car park via zig-zag steps to access the beach, or you can go through the bustling town via Tenby Harbour.   

Tenby North Beach is also the launch site for the Tenby Boxing Day Swim and Ironman Wales - one is a post-Christmas festive-fun dip in the sea and the other is a challenging triathlon that sees athletes swim, cycle and run around this tricky Pembrokeshire trial.

North Beach makes for an idyllic family day out of rock pooling and building sandcastles, while adventure seekers can try their hand at some watersports. The large sandy bay makes it ideal for a day full of beach games. Just upon the shoreline, you’ll find shops selling all those beach essentials such as buckets and spades. There’s also a shoreline café serving refreshments if you get thirsty after all that splashing about! 

You’ll be able to enjoy views of the new and old lifeboat stations from here, and you might even spot Wally the walrus, an unusual but welcome visitor to the town! 

Lifeguards patrol Tenby North Beach in the summer months; please check for up-to-date lifeguard patrol times and dates. Always swim safely between the lifeguard-patrolled red and yellow flags. 

Tenby North Beach Features: 

Holiday cottages nearby:

• Glendower House 8, sleeps 4
• Goscar View, sleeps 6
• Royal Victoria Court 1, sleeps 4

Tenby South Beach

Tenby South Beach is Tenby’s most dog-friendly beach! There are some summer restrictions on the area of beach beneath the cliffs, but other than that your beloved pups are free to roam around to their heart’s content.

South Beach is also a favourite for kitesurfers, when the conditions are right, due to its wide-open expanse. It’s also very conveniently located, with a car park right next to the beach and a nearby beachside restaurant - so you’re not far from a meal with a view! 

The car park is also home to a wonderful street food festival in the summer, please check event details before planning to enjoy the range of delicious cuisines. A must-visit for foodies, the Pembrokeshire Street Food Festival weekend hosts local and Welsh outlets and celebrates the popular street food scene. 

Sit, relax and enjoy stunning views of Caldey Island from Tenby South Beach or take a romantic stroll along its long, golden, dune-backed sands. Tenby South Beach also makes for a great family day out playing beach games on its wide expanse of sand.  

Lifeguards patrol Tenby South Beach during the spring and summer bank holidays and throughout the summer months.  

Tenby South Beach Features: 

Holiday cottages nearby:

• Flat 3 - Beaufort House, sleeps 4, dog-friendly 🐕
• Waters Edge 15, sleeps 4 
• Blue Haze - Tenby, sleeps 4

Castle Beach Tenby and St Catherine’s Island

Glistening waters, stunning views, and beautiful golden sands; Castle Beach in Tenby has all you need for the perfect day relaxing at the beach. It was voted the best beach in the UK in the 2019 Sunday Times Beach of The Year round-up for its beauty, superb facilities and seaside magic, and we can see why!

Boat trips leave from here to holy Caldey Island, which is home to Cistercian Monks who make their own yummy chocolate and fabulous fragrances for sale in the shop and online. You’ll surely feel the tranquillity and peace of this special remote island.

A perfect family beach, Castle Beach is accessible via the slipway and is home to shops, cafés, watersport equipment and deck chair hire. When the tide is out, Castle Beach and South Beach join to allow you to walk freely between both. 

You’ll also find one of Tenby’s famous landmarks here, the tidal St Catherine's Island and Napoleonic Fortress, a commanding presence over this popular, picture-perfect beach. The island is open to the public, weather and tide depending; find out more about the fort and its intriguing history here, including when it was turned into a zoo! Sherlock fans will also recognise this iconic fort as the scene where the Sherrinford mystery was solved. 

Lifeguards are at Castle Beach in the summer; please check for Castle Beach lifeguard patrol dates.

Castle Beach Features: 

Holiday cottages nearby:

• Ocean View, sleeps 4, dog-friendly 🐕
• Beach View, sleeps 2
• Ar Lan Y Mor, sleeps 10, dog-friendly 🐕

Tenby Harbour Beach

Is there a prettier harbour than Tenby? We don’t think so! With its multi-coloured houses and pretty sailing boats, Tenby Harbour is one of the most photographed places in Wales. This familiar harbour is a must-see, it even has its own chapel neatly tucked away! Ideal for young families, this beach is safely snuggled within the harbour walls and is close to all the facilities Tenby town has to offer. 

There are lots of intriguing local shops to discover down cobbled streets, and plenty of cafés, pubs, ice cream shops and restaurants all serving delicious refreshments after a busy day building sandcastles! And who could forget all the fantastic local fish and chip shops where you can take away a delicious meal to remember with a spectacular seaside view? 

Relax and enjoy the bobbing boats and book your fishing trip or a boat trip to Caldey Island here. You can also book a Tenby seal safari or island cruise with Tenby Boat Trips. Go on a wildlife adventure around this beautiful coastline, spotting seals as you go. You'll also experience a different perspective of picturesque Tenby, with memorable views from the sea. 

Stroll around the idyllic harbour and you’ll also find quaint little huts selling fantastically fresh seafood. Take a short walk up Castle Hill to the remains of Tenby Castle perched on top and you'll be rewarded with an incredible sea viewpoint. 

Tenby Harbour Beach Features: 

Holiday cottages nearby:

• Down Below, sleeps 6
• Newbridge House 3, sleeps 6, dog-friendly 🐕
• Harbour House 2, sleeps 2

If you love a coastal trip and fancy venturing further afield, then you’re in the right place as we also have lots of fabulous cottages in West Wales with sea views for you to enjoy.

Tenby holiday cottages