Wales has a gorgeous coastline, complete with more than 150 beautiful beaches – and narrowing it down is no easy task.
And tough as it might be, we’ve picked out 35 of the best sandy shores that shine, a little more, than the rest.ADVERTISINGAds by Teads
Squeeze out the rest of the summer with a visit to one of these are you won’t be disappointed.
1. Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire
The golden sand of Barafundle Bay is often voted one of the best beaches in the world, and it is not hard to see why. There are no facilities on the beach so remember to take everything you want with you.
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2. Rhossili Bay, Rhossili
The three miles of sandy beach and the famous Worm’s Head sees Rhossili Bay often top the awards of best beaches in the UK and worldwide.
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3. Three Cliffs Bay, Gower
With its imperious three cliffs cut by the sea from 300 million-year-old carboniferous limestone, it comes complete with powder sand beaches, a medieval castle, salt marshes and a sparkling river.
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4. Broad Haven South, Pembrokeshire
It is an open, west-facing bay with a large sandy beach and has been one of Pembrokeshire’s most popular leisure spots since around 1800.
5. Tenby South Beach
South Beach has acres of space for beach games. The Blue Flag beach has deckchairs and ice cream vans nearby, plus numerous cafes, pubs and restaurants.
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6. Marloes Sands, Pembrokeshire
The National Trust beach offers plenty of options from walks, sunbathing and watersports all with spectacular geology.
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7. Freshwater West, Pembrokeshire
Great for surfers and experienced swimmers. The beach is wide backing onto dunes and is famous on the big screen, appearing in Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
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8. Mwnt, Ceredigion
A gloriously secluded beach in the shadow of Mwnt’s famous cliffs. It is one of several sites managed by the National Trust in the area. Mwnt is an ideal place to spot bottlenose dolphins, basking sharks and porpoises.
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9. Caswell Bay, Gower
Caswell Bay’s sandy beach is easily accessible and not far from Mumbles for shops and dining. The beach is also popular, weather permitting, for surfing.
10. Whitesands, Pembrokeshire
The white sands, hence the name, of the Pembrokeshire beach overlook Carn Llidi and are not far from the Cathedral city of St David’s.
11. Tresaith, Ceredigion
Tresaith – The Town of Seven – is named after the folk tale that an Irish king sent his seven daughters off on a boat to marry men from seven local families. Whether the story is true or not doesn’t matter, what does is that this a great beach.
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12. Freshwater East, Pembrokeshire
A stream runs through the golden sands and with the tide out it is a perfect spot for games.
13. Poppit Sands Beach, Pembrokeshire
The sandy beach is backed by sand dunes is best visited at low tide to enjoy the huge beach.
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14. Newgale Sands
The two miles of sandy beach is backed by a huge pebble bank formed after a big storm in 1859. It is popular for kitesurfing and surfing.
15. Langland Bay, Gower
With its seaside beach huts, plus the cafes, restaurants and shops, Langland Bay is a popular spot for families.
16. Skrinkle Haven, Pembrokeshire
Skrinkle Haven is south east of Manobier and accessed via long flight of steps, but once reached is well worth the effort.
17. Southerndown, Bridgend
The rocks and sand beach is surrounded by spectacular cliffs offering views along the coast.
18. Rest Bay, Porthcawl
One of the top surfing spots in the UK, with schools ready to teach you the waves, and beautiful sandy spaces.
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19. Porth Iago, Aberdaron, Gwynedd
The white sands and clear blue waters of Porth Iago are popular with both swimmers and water sport enthusiasts.
20. Manorbier, Pembrokeshire
A stream runs through the huge – depending on tide time – beach that is ideal for games.
21. Aberporth, Ceredigion
The beach of the beautiful village six miles north of Cardigan used to be a port for cargoes of salt, coal, and limestone.
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22. Penbryn, Ceredigion
The National Trust beach is around one mile in length. There is a cafe and a shop, plus a wooded valley a short walk from the bay in Cardigan.
23. Aberdovey, Gwynedd
Where the mountains meet the sea. The harbour resort is within Snowdonia National Park, and there are plenty of activities for visitors.
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24. Porthselau Beach, Pembrokeshire
A sandy bay at the end of Whitesands Bay, access is possible between the two at low tide, and it is easily accessible from the coastal path.
25. Cefn Sidan, Carmarthenshire
Adjacent to Pembrey Country Park with a cafe and toilets by the beach entrance. The seven miles of sandy beach backs onto sand dunes.
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26. Watwick Bay, Pembrokeshire
One mile south of the village of Dale. The beach is surrounded by a low sandstone cliff and is especially good for windsurfing and sailing.
27. Traeth yr Ora, Anglesey
On the north east coast of Anglesey is a hidden gem on Dulas Island.
28. Presipe, Pembrokeshire
Presipe Bay, near Tenby, is another beach that is dependent on tides and is only worth a visit during low tide. Popular with surfers.
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29. Tywyn, Gwynedd
Approximately five miles long, the sandy beach at Tywyn is popular for all kinds of watersports and harbour porpoises and bottlenose dolphins can be spotted off the coast.
30. Ogmore, Bridgend
A rock and sand combination, a local company offers horse riding on the beach.
31. Barmouth
Close to the popular harbour of Barmouth, the large beach benefits from the nearby cafes, restaurants and shops.
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32. Saundersfoot
Small, but popular and the home of the The World Cawl cooking championships.
33. Bracelet Bay Beach, Mumbles
Just around Mumbles head and the first bay along the Gower is Bracelet Bay. There are rock pools to explore and the sand is exposed as the tide goes out.
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34. Port Eynon Bay, Gower
A car park a minute from the beach makes it easily accessible, but that does not mean it is not a beautiful spot.
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35. Whitmore Bay, Barry Island
The hugely popular destination on Barry Island has been boosted by the revival of the Pleasure Park.
