The best Beaches in Pembrokeshire national PArk
Surrounded by the sea on three sides, Pembrokeshire National Park has 186-miles of beautiful coastline lined with some of the most incredible beaches in the UK.
Spread across its crinkled coastline are over 100 beaches and hundred more coves. Unfortunately, not everyone has the time, nor stamina to visit all of them.
Fortunately I having visited Pembrokeshire on countless occasions alongside cycling the majority of the coastal path back in 2019, so to save you the deliberation of trying to narrow the choices down I have picked a handful of my favourites.
Some are easily accessible and others require a bit more of a trek. So fill up a backpack, slap on the sun cream, and don’t forget to bring a towel.
At a Glance
Broadhaven south
Tenby North
Barafundle Bay
Church Door Cove and Skrinkle Haven
Freshwater west
Marloes Sands
Newgale
Whitesands
Traeth Llyfn
Abermawr
Pwllgwaelod
Broadhaven South
One of my favourite beach in Pembrokeshire and in my opinion equally as impressive as the neighbouring Barafundle bay.
Located on the edge of the Stackpole Estate in south Pembrokeshire, Broadhaven South is a large sandy beach nestled in front of sand dunes.
The beach, which is instantly recognisable by a large limestone monolith which sits out in the middle of the bay, is significantly larger than Barafundle meaning it feels less crowded alongside providing plenty of room for activities.
If you do visit this beach, make sure you take the time to walk the section of the coastal path between here and Barafundle. The scenery is seriously impressive with dramatic cliffs plunging almost vertically a hundred feet into the sea below.
As well as being popular with walkers and tourists, Broadhaven is an extremely popular surf spot, which under the right conditions creates notorious barrelling wedges which people travel up from Cornwall to surf.
How to reach Broadhaven South
Parking can be found in Bosherston village, where there are also toilets, a country pub, and a small café. The beach is best reached by taking an easy one-mile walk through the lovely Bosherston Lily ponds. The man-made lakes are famous for their spectacular display of waterlilies and their resident otters and make for an extremely pleasant way to access the beach. Alternatively you can park in the car park directly behind the beach.
Key Information
Beach type: Sandy
Parking: National Trust car park 300m from the beach
Facilities: Toilets, café & pub located in the village
Doggos: Year round
Lifeguards: During the summer months
Barafundle Bay
A Pembrokeshire highlight and a location that’s perfect for an afternoon spent lounging on the beach.
Golden sands and crystal clear waters backed by sand dunes and pine trees, Barafundle is nothing short of spectacular and one you have to visit.
The bay has constantly been voted as one of the best beaches not only in Britain but also Europe and of the sun is out you might mistake this beach for being located on a Caribbean island.
How to reach Barafundle Bay
Barafundle’s isolated location means there are no facilities or lifeguards at the beach. There is a café and toilets located half a mile away at the National Trust car park in Stackpole quay where car parking is £5 per day or £2 after 2pm.
The 1/2 mile walk to the beach is also a highlight as you’ll pass through a forest and over a lake before you reach the remote and slightly curved bay that looks out to rugged cliffs, clear ocean views and the greenery of the coastal path.
Another way to reach Barafundle Bay is to walk here from the equally as beautiful Broadhaven South beach. The short two-kilometre coastal walk will take you across some of the finest parts of the Pembrokeshire coastal path.
Key Information
Beach type: Sandy
Facilities: Toilets & a café at the car park
Doggos: Year round
Lifeguards: No
Freshwater West
One for the surfers and Harry Potter enthusiasts. Freshwater West is a wide, sandy, and backed by an extensive system of dunes situated on Pembrokeshire exposed west coast.
It's south-westerly facing direction makes it the most consistent surf spot in Wales resulting it playing host to the Welsh Surfing Championships every year.
If the beach seems familiar that because it has featured in several Hollywood movies. Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood was filmed here alongside Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, where the beach was used as the backdrop for Dobby’s Shell Cottage. The cottage has since been taken down after filming however you can still visit his grave and run around the dunes shouting "Dobby is a Free Elf”.
How to reach Freshwater West
There are two small free car parks situated behind the sand dunes however these tend to fill up fast if there’s a decent bit of surf. If these become full then some parking is available along the very narrow road that allows access to the beach. From there you wimply have to cross the road.
If you’re into your seafood then make sure you take the time to visit the award-winning Cafe Mor. Formerly a food truck which was based at Freshwater West, it has now moved to the neighbouring village of Angle where it is situated in The Old Point House.
Key Information
Beach type: Sandy
Parking: 100m from the Beach
Facilities: Toilets
Doggos: Year round
Lifeguards: Yes
Traeth Llyfn
Translated from Welsh to ‘Smooth beach’ this is a real hidden gem on the northern coast of Pembrokeshire and one you should stop by if you are visiting the spectacular Blue Lagoon.
Located slightly off the beaten track between Abereiddi and Porthgain harbour, the sandy beach is backed by towering cliffs which can be accessed by a steep metal staircase cut into the cliff face.
The majority of people who visit Blue Lagoon are unaware this beach actually exists, meaning if you make the effort to stop by then you’ll most likely have this beach to yourselves, so pack a picnic and take the time to enjoy it.
The beach does experience rip currents on the south side so take care when swimming. Also, keep an eye on the incoming tide as the steps are the only way off the beach and I wouldn’t fancy a swim or rock climb to get back onto the coastal path.
How to reach the beach
The beach can be reached by walking 1km from Blue Lagoon in Abereiddi, Postcode SA62 6DT, or just under 2km from Porthgain, postcode SA62 5BN.
If you want to stretch your legs, the coastline between Abereiddi to Porthgain was named by The Guardian as one of the Top 10 UK walks back in 2010. My recommendation would be to park at Porthgain, complete an out and back 6km walk stopping off at Blue Lagoon for a dip, then finishing up with fish and chips at The Shed back at Porthgain.
Key Information
Tenby North Beach
One for those who don’t want to venture far and have all the facilities within a stone’s throw of the beach.
The picturesque seaside town of Tenby is surrounded on three sides by the sea and is home to not one beach but four. The two main beaches of North and South, are at either end of the town while the Harbour and Castle beaches are the nearest to the town centre.
Alongside its beaches, Tenby is the quintessential seaside town and is packed all of charm and things to do. The town can be enjoyed as much as the beaches itself so make sure you take the time to grab an ice cream or beer and walk its high walled, narrow cobbled streets.
The northern side of Tenby South Beach has a range of amenities like toilets and a pay and display car park. There are also food options close to the beach with a couple of cafes, restaurants, serving sandwiches and ice creams.
Key Information
Beach type: Sandy
Parking: Pay and display, 150m from the Beach
Facilities: Toilets, cafes and restaurants
Doggos: Year-round
Lifeguards: Yes, from April to September
Church Door Cove & Skrinkle Haven
For those who fancy a challenge (and a time limit) in order to reach a a secluded beach.
Back by sheer sided cliffs, Church doors cove is small boulder covered beach which is home to an incredible 20m high door shaped sea arch. At mid to high tide the beach becomes cut off and consists of mainly large boulders, but as the tide drops away a beautiful but small stretch of sand is revealed.
Next door to Church Cove are the golden sands of Skrinkle Haven Beach. The beach is back by steep sided cliffs and give it a very Jurassic park-esqe feel to it.
Unfortunately the steps leading down to Skrinkle Haven has been fenced off as they have collapsed. However, the bay is only accessible at low tide via Church door cove by either swimming around the thin limestone headland or scrambling through a narrow cave.
How to reach Skrinkle Haven
Free parking is available either at Manorbier YHA, or 500m further along the road, situated on the cliff top adjacent to the coastal path. From either car park the beach is easily accessible via a short walk which leads to the steep concrete and metal steps (140 in total) which drops down onto the bay.
Once at Church Door cove you will spot the narrow gap in the headland which you will have to climb through. This route isn’t suitable for everyone as it involves either climbing down a 4ft drop or skirting around the drop. Also keep an eye on the tide times as the cave can quickly get cut off by the incoming tide and you’ll either have to swim back around or wait eight hours for the tide to retreat.
Key Information
Beach type: Sand & rock
Parking: Manorbier Youth Hostel
Facilities: Toilets and a café located at the Youth Hostel, 500m from the beach,
Doggos: Year-round
Lifeguards: no
Marloes Sands
Nestled on the very western edge of Pembrokeshire, Marloes Sands is another hidden gem of a beach which offers stunning coastal scenery and an abundance of wildlife.
Jagged sandstone cliffs and rock formations divide this golden sanded, mile-long beach into smaller, more secluded bays. At high tide, the beach can disappear altogether but at low tide, there’s a large expanse of sand offering plenty of room for activities.
If you’re planning to visit, check out the tide times to make sure you’ve plenty of beach to play on and that you don’t get cut off by the incoming tide.
Popular with surfers , the beach has also featured in the Hollywood film Snow White and the Huntsman. At low tide, you can see the remains of a wrecked ship sticking out of the sand.
How to reach Marloes Sands
There is a National Trust car park located next to the café Runawaysklin (a fantastic little café which you should definitely stop by) which costs £5 a day. From here its a half a mile walk through some farmers fields to the beach.
Key information
Beach type: Sandy
Parking: National Trust car park at Runawaysklin
Facilities: None at the beach, but a toilet is located near the car park
Doggos: Year-round
Lifeguards: No
Whitesands Bay
Situated on the St David’s Peninsula in the North-west of Pembrokeshire, Whitesands (Porthmawr in Welsh) award-winning beach overlooked by the imposing craggy headland of Carn Llidi.
The blue flag beach is extremely popular with families due to its easy access and a wide range of facilities.
However, when the swell picks up the beach is renowned for being one of the best surfing spots on the Pembrokeshire coast, with people of all ages and abilities flocking here to catch a few waves. Although it's surfable at all stages of the tide, the mid to high tide periods are best and the area in front of the car park is the most popular.
How to reach Whitesands Bay
Space for 60 vehicles is available right next to the beach, however, this fills up quickly in the busy summer months. If no spaces are available you can catch the Celtic Coaster shuttle bus from the Oriel Y Parc in St Davids during the summer.
If you’re looking for a quieter location then the sheltered Porthmelgan Beach located directly below Carn Llidi is a perfect little cove to escape the crowds. The beach is located less than one mile from Whitesands and is reachable via 15-minute walk north along the coastal path.
For those wanting to stretch their legs, a short ramble is available up the summit of Carn Llidi. The 181m hill is rich in history and has terrific views westwards towards Ramsey Island and northwards towards Strumble Head.
Key Information
Beach type: Sandy
Parking: Space for 60 cars, 50m from the Beach
Facilities: Toilets and cafe
Doggos: From 1st October - 31st April
Lifeguards: From May to September
Newgale
A colossal beach which is perfect for families an water sports lovers.
Newgale’s two miles of gloriously golden sand is one of Pembrokeshire largest and most impressive beaches, No matter what direction you approach it from the initial views as you drop down towards the bay will definitely leave you reaching for the camera.
Its westerly facing direction picks up the brunt of any swell and wind rolling up from the Atlantic making it popular with surfers and kite surfers. In fact, a great storm in the 19th centaury is what formed the massive pebble bank which backs the entire length of the beach.
As you would expect from a Blue Flag beach there are plenty of facilities at Newgale. At the northern end of the beach there is a café, pub, toilets, and surf shop from which you can hire surf equipment or get a surfing lesson.
Key Information
Beach type: Sandy
Parking: Pay and display behind the beach
Facilities: Toilets, café and shops
Doggos: Outside of 1st May and 30th September
Lifeguards: 25th May to 8th September
Pwllgwaelod
Looked on Dinas head, on the north coast of Pembrokeshire, this is a beautiful little black sanded beach.
Theres a small car park with toilets alongside a café and the beach is wheelcahir friendly.
If you want to stretch your legs, theres a lovely 5km loop which ill take you up and around Dinas head to Cwm yr Eglwys. Its also a great place to watch the sunset
Key Information
Beach type: Sandy
Parking: behind the beach
Facilities: Toilets and a seasonal café
Doggos: year round
Lifeguards: none
Wheelchair Friendly
Abermawr & Aberbach
Located on the North Coast of Pembrokeshire, Abermawr is a remote, pebble banked beach backed by earthed cliffs.
Low tide exposes the golden sand and buried tree stumps – the remains of a forest drowned by a sudden flood as an ice sheet melted 8000 years ago. The stumps have been perfectly preserved by salt. Behind the beach are an interesting ruined cottage, a wildlife-rich marshy area and bluebell woods.
Aber Bach located a hundred or so meters further up the coast, this is a smaller and rocker cove.
If you’re planning to visit, check out the tide times to make sure you’ve plenty of beach to play on. Preseli Venture have a live webcam looking right down to the beach so you can check the weather too before you head out.
Key Information
Beach type: Sandy
Parking: Very limited on the roadside above the beach.
Facilities: none
Doggos: year round
Lifeguards: none
So there we have it, 11 of the best beaches in Pembrokeshire National Park.
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For more content and information on this beautiful region check out my guide to Pembrokeshire below.
Alternatively for more travel, hiking, & photography inspiration around Wales check out my in-depth guides to each of my favourite regions below.