Laura Mackenzie
20 April 2023
With an impressive collection of Blue Flag beaches, along with the UK’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and only coastal national park, West Wales is a refreshing treat for those seeking a seaside getaway.
From surf havens to dog-friendly delights and family-friendly sandcastle canvases, you’re sure to find your next special spot in this coastal area of Wales. Read on to discover some of the most beautiful West Wales beaches, in Pembrokeshire, Gower, Cardigan Bay, and Carmarthenshire, on your next sea-view cottage holiday in West Wales.
Never far from the coast, our collection of holiday cottages in West Wales ranges from romantic boltholes to dog-friendly retreats, group getaways and family-friendly escapes. Browse our full range of cottages in West Wales below and start gplanning your next breath of fresh sea air.
Skip to these top West Wales beaches:
Pembrokeshire beaches:
Gower beaches:
Cardigan Bay beaches:
Carmathenshire beaches:
Top Pembrokeshire beaches
Hugged by a 186-mile coast path that passes by more than 50 beaches, Pembrokeshire is a top destination for a beach stay in West Wales.
We’ve highlighted our favourite beaches in Pembrokeshire and to make the most of your trip, take a look at our dog-friendly beaches in Pembrokeshire teamed up with our dog-friendly retreats or coastal cottages in Pembrokeshire for your next seaside stay in West Wales.
We couldn’t possibly fit all of Pembrokeshire’s amazing beaches in here so be sure to take a look at our full guide to Pembrokeshire’s beautiful beaches including other favourites such as Broad Haven and Newgale, and find your next favourite shoreline to explore from the comfort of one of our holiday cottages in Pembrokeshire.
This gorgeous seaside village in Pembrokeshire is home to a fantastic array of places to eat, a pretty working harbour, an amazing mile-long coastal walk along the seafront to Wisemans Bridge, and a collection of amazing beaches!
The main Saundersfoot Beach is perfect for romantic strolls and long beach days with the family building sandcastles, and enjoying the amazing views of the expansive Pendine Sands and striking Worm's Head in the distance.
Coppet Hall, with its powder-soft golden sands, is also an ideal choice for families with its fantastic array of beachside facilities including a cafe, WCs, a paddleboard school, cycle hire, kayak hire, rock pools, and the amazing Coast Restaurant where you can enjoy fine dining with sublime sea views.
Facilities
- Location: SA69 9NL
- Parking: yes
- Toilets: yes
- Dog-friendly: seasonal dog ban on part of the beach between 1 May - 30 September
- Activities: deck chair hire, ice creams, paddleboarding, rock pools, kayaking, dining out, swimming, sailing, outdoor showers, boat trips
Stay nearby:
Stay in seaside Saundersfoot with one of our welcoming holiday cottages, including family-friendly escapes, romantic nests, sea-view apartments, and dog-friendly retreats.
Tenby Beaches
Pretty seaside Tenby is lucky enough to have not just one, but four excellent sandy beaches to choose from!
If travelling with a pup then be sure to take a look at our guide to dog-friendly beaches in Tenby and for more information on Tenby’s beautiful beaches, read our full Tenby beach guide. For more ideas on Tenby activities, then be sure to read our full guide of things to do in Tenby.
We offer a quality range of holiday homes in Tenby, from luxurious townhouses to sea-view apartments and colourful terraced houses, so look below and start planning your Tenby getaway.
Tenby Castle Beach
Voted the UK’s best beach in the 2019 Sunday Times Beach of The Year, Tenby’s Castle Beach has unique beauty, superb facilities, eye-catching island views and special seaside magic.
Perfect for a family day at the beach and easily accessible from Tenby’s bustling town centre, Castle Beach is also home to shops, cafes, water sports equipment and deckchair hire.
Boat trips also leave from here to the idyllic Caldey Island, which is visible from the beach, so if you’re wondering what that island just off Tenby is, hop aboard for a relaxing day out.
Tenby North Beach
Probably the best beach in Tenby for that iconic harbour view with pretty pastel houses and a promenade that lines the clifftop above.
Get comfortable on this brilliant beach and enjoy relaxing views over Carmarthen Bay. This easterly-facing beach enjoys the sunshine all day, perfect for beach games and sandcastle competitions.
There are shops selling all the essential beach items like buckets and spades, and there’s also a fantastic shoreline diner serving hot food, ice cream and refreshments if you get thirsty after all those beach activities.
Facilities
- Location: SA70 8AA
- Parking:North Beach
- Toilets: yes
- Dog-friendly: seasonal dog ban between 1 May and 30 September
- Activities: boat hire, deckchairs, beachfront diner, paddleboarding, sailing, swimming, beach games
Stay nearby:
Tenby South Beach
South Beach is Tenby’s most dog-friendly beach! There are some seasonal restrictions beneath the cliffs, but other than that your four-pawed pals are free to explore this wide expanse of sand to their heart’s content.
Tenby South Beach is also a favourite for water sports such as kitesurfing due to its wide-open stretch of sand and sea. There’s a beachside restaurant where you can sit, relax, and enjoy watching the beach action while sipping on your favourite tipple.
Facilities
- Location: SA70 7DU
- Parking:South Beach, Seafront pay and display
- Toilets: yes
- Dog-friendly: seasonal restrictions between 1 May and 30 September to the left of the South Beach car park, otherwise, dogs are free to roam across the wide expanse of sand
- Activities: kitesurfing, windsurfing, sea-view dining, dog-walking
Stay nearby:
Tenby Harbour Beach
The prettiest harbour is also home to a small, sheltered beach. Sit and enjoy the boats bobbing away or head into town for refreshments and seaside essentials.
Take a walk around this picturesque harbour and you’ll find charming huts selling deliciously fresh seafood. You can also book your trip to Caldey Island from here for a relaxing island adventure, wildlife watching and fresh sea air.
Facilities
- Location: SA70 7BN
- Parking:Tenby multi-storey
- Toilets: yes (at nearby Castle Beach)
- Dog-friendly: seasonal dog ban between 1 May and 30 September. Dogs must also be kept on a lead in the harbour and promenade areas.
- Activities:fishing trips, boat trips, cafe, boat hire
Stay nearby:
Whitesands Bay
Overlooked by the impressive craggy Carn Llidi Hill, this ample expanse of fine white sand is a popular spot for surfers, windsurfers, kayakers, divers, anglers and bodyboarders. If you fancy riding these waves, then TYF is a great choice for surf lessons.
Visitors can find a cafe, shop and surf hire behind the beach and once you’ve had your fill of sand and surf, head inland to St Davids for a fantastic array of shops, cafes, and even more exciting things to do including thrilling wildlife adventure boat trips to Ramsey, Skomer and Grassholm Islands.
Facilities
- Location: SA62 6PS
- Parking: yes
- Toilets: yes
- Dog-friendly: seasonal dog ban between 1 May and 30 September
- Activities: surfing, kayaking, boat trips, windsurfing, swimming, sandcastle building
Stay nearby:
Browse our collection of cottages in St Davids to stay nearby this amazing West Wales beach and be sure to enjoy a memorable coastal holiday in Pembrokeshire.
Top Gower beaches
Chosen for its classic limestone coast and variety of natural habitats, Gower was the first AONB in the UK. Home to countless golden, sandy beaches, beautiful bays and captivating coves, Gower is an ideal place to unwind and get away from it all.
Read on to discover our highlights of the best beaches in the Gower and enjoy a refreshing stay nearby in one of our Gower cottages with sea views. Alternatively, browse our full collection of Gower cottages below and experience all these amazing West Wales beaches as well as all the other amazing things to do in Gower.
Three Cliffs Bay
A wilder yet highly photographed beach with a spectacular sandy shoreline, powdery dunes, and a striking trio of limestone cliffs.
Part of the Gower Coast Path, walkers can enjoy a refreshing view while on their epic journey but should avoid swimming and water sports due to the wilder nature of the beach’s tides and currents.
The scenic walk to Three Cliffs Bay Beach may include rough terrain and is about 400 metres from the car park at Three Cliffs Holiday Park. You can also access the beach via a lengthy walk through Pennard Pill, with parking near the Gower Heritage Centre.
Facilities
- Location: SA3 2HB
- Parking: yes (the walk between the car park and the beach may include challenging terrain)
- Toilets: yes, nearby courtesy of Three Cliffs Holiday Park
- Dog-friendly: yes, dogs are allowed on the beach all year
- Activities: walking, dog walks, amazing views, picnics, Pennard Castle
Stay nearby:
Rhossili Bay
A trip to Rhossili won’t disappoint, it is truly breathtaking! Explore the cute village shops and enjoy a meal with mesmerising views from the clifftop or walk on to experience the most amazing scenes of the jutting Worm's Head and the vast length of golden sands that even include a shipwreck!
With plenty of space and consistent surf, Rhossili is a popular surf spot and our guide to Gower surfing will tell you all you need to know about the best surf spots, shops, lessons and hire in this surfing haven.
Facilities
- Location: SA3 1PP
- Parking: yes
- Toilets: yes
- Dog-friendly: yes, dogs are allowed on the beach all year
- Activities: surfing, coast path walks, sightseeing
Stay nearby:
Langland Bay
A family-friendly favourite, Langland Bay is a sheltered, safe, and attractive sandy beach bordered by charming beach huts and a pretty promenade backed with cafes, striking limestone cliffs and a golf course.
Not just a pretty picture, Langland Bay Beach also has a Blue Flag and Seaside Award, and you can enjoy the scenic clifftop walk around to Caswell Bay.
Just a short drive or walk over the hill from Mumbles, Langland Bay is easily one of the UK’s loveliest city beaches.
Facilities
- Location: SA3 4SQ
- Parking: yes
- Toilets: yes
- Dog-friendly: seasonal dog ban from 1 May - 30 September
- Activities: water sports, surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, golf, tennis court, outdoor showers
Stay nearby:
Browse our collection of holiday cottages in Mumbles to enjoy this blissful shoreline for yourself.
Top Cardigan Bay beaches
Known for its delightful dolphins, pristine beaches, coastal path, wildlife boat trips, colourful seaside towns, and for being the largest bay in the British Isles, Cardigan Bay is another great choice for a coastal UK break.
Read on to discover our pick of the best Cardigan Bay beaches and enjoy a refreshing stay nearby in one of our quality holiday cottages. Experience all these amazing beaches on top of all the other wonderful things to do in Cardigan Bay.
Llangrannog Beach
A fabulous beach to visit at any time of the year, Llangrannog is a popular holiday destination for families, couples, surfers, and sea kayakers looking to get out on the pristine waves.
Enjoy a refreshing walk along the Ceredigion Coast Path for some amazing views or relax and watch the world go by from one of the excellent pubs. For a sweet treat, try the yummy homemade ice cream at the beach cafe. If you fancy a change of scene from the sand and sea then why not try a bit of skiing on the dry ski slope?
Facilities
- Location: SA44 6SN
- Parking: yes
- Toilets: yes
- Dog-friendly: seasonal dog ban from 1 May - 30 September between Nant Hawen and Pen Rhip cliff to the left
- Activities: surfing, sea kayaking, skiing, sailing
Stay nearby:
New Quay Beach
New Quay’s Harbour Beach is the seaside town’s main beach with powder-soft sand, and is neatly tucked below sloping terraces and sheltered by the harbour wall.
Home to Cardigan Bay Watersports, there’s plenty to keep the family entertained. Activities include windsurfing, kayaking, water-skiing, wakeboarding, powerboating and paddleboarding.
Book a dolphin-spotting boat trip for the opportunity to spot the playful resident bottlenose dolphins and porpoises. Refresh hungry tummies after a day at the beach or browse the shops at one of New Quay’s plentiful cafes and restaurants.
Facilities
- Location: SA45 9PS
- Parking: yes
- Toilets: yes
- Dog-friendly: seasonal dog ban from 1 May - 30 September from Harbour Beach between the pier and Penpolion, the old harbour wall next to the RNLI Lifeboat Station
- Activities: fishing, sailing, swimming, water sports
Stay nearby:
If you fancy a taste of this bustling seaside town then click below to see our refreshing collection of holiday cottages in New Quay.
Poppit Sands
Set on the outskirts of Cardigan Bay, this gorgeous dune-lined beach is Cardigan's closest beach. Take a seaside holiday here and explore this historic harbour and pretty market town.
North-facing and sheltered from the prevailing south-westerly winds with an abundance of hard sand to play on, adventure seekers can enjoy thrilling activities such as kite buggying, landboarding, kitesurfing and power kiting.
Spend a day at pretty Poppit Sands and you’ll also have access to the cafe and shop that sells all the essential beach items from beach balls to wetsuits and everything in between.
Facilities
- Location: SA43 3LR
- Parking: yes
- Toilets: yes
- Dog-friendly: seasonal dog ban on the western end of the beach between 1 May - 30 September
- Activities: fishing, water sports, paragliding, kite buggying, landboarding, kitesurfing, power kiting, kayaking, windsurfing
Stay nearby:
Our nearby Cardigan Bay cottages are the perfect base for exploring Poppit Sands and beyond, with St Dogmaels, Cilgerran Castle and the Welsh Wildlife Centre all also close by.
Top Carmarthenshire beaches
From record-breaking sands to watchful castle shorelines and the longest beach in Wales, Carmarthenshire is home to an intriguing collection of West Wales beaches.
Our full collection of Carmarthenshire holiday cottages gives you full access to all of Carmarthenshire’s beautiful beaches. From dog-friendly retreats to cosy getaways and large group stays, you’re sure to find what you need in our holiday collection below.
Pendine Sands
Motorsport fans will love breathtaking Pendine Sands, famous for a series of land speed records, including those set in the 1920s with Sir Malcolm Campbell in ‘Bluebird’ and J.G. Parry Thomas in ‘Babs’. More recently in 2015, Idris Elba of Thor fame became the gatekeeper of another record and set a new land speed record in a Bentley Continental GT! The Museum of Land Speed in Pendine offers an exhilarating exhibition displaying an array of motor cars and land speed memorabilia.
Aside from its endless stretch of sand, Pendine is also home to a pleasant promenade to stroll along, with wonderful sea views and easy beach access. There’s also the beachfront Parry Thomas Centre where you can enjoy kayak hire, coffee, ice cream and a popular Asian fusion restaurant.
Facilities
- Location: SA33 4NY
- Parking: yes
- Toilets: yes
- Dog-friendly: dogs are allowed on the beach all year round
- Activities: Parry Thomas Centre, Museum of Land Speed, kayaking, kite flying, shell collecting, rock pooling
Stay nearby:
Use one of our cottages in Pendine as a holiday base and explore this amazing sandy stretch and the beautiful surrounding area for yourself.
Pembrey Beach (Cefn Sidan)
Also known as Cefn Sidan, this 8-mile stretch of pristine sand makes up the longest beach in Wales and was also the first beach in Wales to receive the renowned Blue Flag award. An excellent choice for long beach walks with your four-pawed pal!
Pembrey Beach lies within Pembrey Country Park, an exciting outdoor adventure park home to amazing walking trails, mountain biking, a dry ski slope, a toboggan ride, plenty of places to eat, crazy golf, picturesque picnic areas, an equestrian centre and handfuls of family-friendly fun!
Facilities
- Location: SA16 0EJ
- Parking: yes
- Toilets: yes
- Dog-friendly: seasonal dog ban on the main beach between 1 May - 30 September
- Activities: kayaking/canoeing, fishing, sailing, surfing, swimming, Pembrey Country Park
Stay nearby:
Experience all this fantastic fun with a stay in one of our nearby cottages in Pembrey. We have dog-friendly stays, family-friendly getaways, and large group accommodation, perfect for your next holiday in Carmarthenshire.
Llansteffan Beach
Lovely Llansteffan is a perfect beach for walkers and family picnics with a view. Explore this beautiful beach under the watchful eye of the imposing Llansteffan Castle which commands breathtaking views across the estuary.
Whilst Llansteffan is not a swimming beach, the fine golden sand is ideal for those very important sandcastle-building competitions. The beach is backed by a flat grassy area with picnic benches and a children’s play park, making Llansteffan a great beach for a family day out.
Facilities
- Location: SA33 5LW
- Parking: yes
- Toilets: yes
- Dog-friendly: seasonal dog ban at the northern end of the beach between 1 May - 30 September
- Activities: picnics, walks, castle, sandcastle competitions
Stay nearby:
Enjoy exploring lovely Llansteffan from one of our nearby holiday cottages. From romantic getaways to dog-friendly retreats and family-friendly stays, we’ll have something perfect for your next holiday in coastal West Wales.
Map of West Wales beaches
Enjoy a day at the seaside and plan your route to these top West Wales beaches.
Stay in West Wales
Quarterdeck, Penybont At Pentre - Cwrt, The Old Parlour, The Waterfront Pendine
With three gorgeous counties to discover and plenty of things to do, West Wales is a popular destination for activity holidays, family trips and for couples looking to enjoy some time away.
Start planning your memorable seaside escape by browsing our wonderful cottages in West Wales and treat yourself to a well-deserved break.
We’ve listed some of our favourite West Wales beaches here. 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.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.