Explore North Wales’ Beaches & Coastlines
Discover Beautiful Beaches in North Wales
While we might be biased, you should trust us when we say that the beaches in North Wales are among some of the very best in the world. Seemingly abundant and wildy varied, the coastline here is home to everything from immaculate Victorian promenades to remote coves and sparkling azure bays. Known for their rugged romance and breathtaking views out over the mountains of Snowdonia, many of Anglesey’s beaches have been used as filming locations for film and TV, most recently for the Game of Thrones spin-off, House of the Dragon. Elsewhere, on the Llyn Peninsula, you’ll find one of the World’s Best Beach Bars in the form of an ancient pub which was once the heart of a ship-building community – but don’t go telling too many people about it….
Whether you’re staying with us in one of our North Wales holiday cottages or simply want a local insight into the best beaches of North Wales, we hope you’ll find our individual guides helpful. Along with tide times and parking information, you’ll also find some helpful tips on visiting with your four-legged friend and any dog restrictions that apply.
Red Wharf Bay, Traeth Coch
Red Wharf Bay, known locally as Traeth Coch, sweeps for around 2.5 miles along Anglesey’s east coast between Pentraeth and Benllech. At low tide, huge expanses of sand are revealed,…
Porth Diana Beach
Porth Diana is a sheltered sandy cove tucked around the southern side of Trearddur Bay on Holy Island. Smaller and quieter than the main Trearddur beach, it’s a lovely spot…
Traeth Porthor (Whistling sands)
Traeth Porthor, better known as Whistling Sands, is one of the Llŷn Peninsula’s most unusual beaches. Fine sand beneath your feet can produce a distinctive squeaking or whistling sound as…
Beaumaris Beach
Beaumaris Beach, located on the eastern coast of Anglesey, offers visitors a picturesque setting with views across the Menai Strait towards the Snowdonia mountain range. The beach is a mix…
Traeth Mawr (Big Beach)
Traeth Mawr, meaning Big Beach, is the larger of Cemaes Bay’s two beaches on Anglesey’s northern coast. Its sandy shoreline curves around the bay beside the village, with a promenade,…
Nefyn Beach
Nefyn Beach is a sweeping two-mile stretch of fine sand curving around a sheltered bay on the northern Llŷn Peninsula. With Yr Eifl and Garn Boduan providing a dramatic backdrop,…
Traeth Bach (Little Beach)
Traeth Bach, or Little Beach, sits at the eastern end of Cemaes and offers a quieter alternative to neighbouring Traeth Mawr. This sandy little cove is especially appealing for families,…
Cemlyn Bay
Cemlyn Bay is a wild and atmospheric stretch of Anglesey’s north coast, where a sweeping shingle ridge separates the sea from a lagoon rich in wildlife. Part of the Cemlyn…
Lligwy Beach
Lligwy Beach, or Traeth Lligwy, is a spacious sandy bay on Anglesey’s northeast coast, near the village of Moelfre. It’s a favourite among walkers, families and water sports enthusiasts. The…
Black Rock Sands
Black Rock Sands is a spectacular two-mile sweep of golden sand near Porthmadog, backed by dunes and dramatic mountain scenery. Famous for its vast open beach and direct vehicle access…
Porth Dafarch
Porth Dafarch is a sheltered sandy cove on the western side of Holy Island, just outside Holyhead. Framed by low cliffs and rocky headlands, the beach has beautiful views towards…
Penmon Point
Penmon Point, at the eastern tip of Anglesey, is a peaceful spot with stunning views of Puffin Island and the Trwyn Du Lighthouse. The pebble beach and rocky shoreline are…
Cable Bay (Porth Trecastell)
Cable Bay (Porth Trecastell) Cable Bay, known locally as Porth Trecastell, is a charming sandy cove nestled between Rhosneigr and Aberffraw on Anglesey’s southwest coast. Its sheltered setting, framed by…
Ynys Llanddwyn
Ynys Llanddwyn is a tidal island at the western end of Newborough Beach, surrounded by golden sands, dunes and spectacular views towards Eryri and the Llŷn Peninsula. Steeped in Welsh…
Porth Padrig
Porth Padrig is a secluded cove on Anglesey’s northern coast, reached along the Wales Coast Path near Llanbadrig. Its small sandy beach is framed by rugged cliffs and is famous…
Barmouth Beach
Barmouth Beach is one of the most famous seaside destinations on the North Wales coast, with a huge sweep of golden sand backed by dunes and the lively Victorian town…
Newry Beach
Newry Beach, nestled in Holyhead on Anglesey’s northwest coast, is a charming spot with a mix of shingle and rock. It’s a great place for a leisurely stroll along the…
Machroes Beach
Machroes Beach is a long, sandy stretch just south of Abersoch, backed by Abersoch Golf Club and opening onto Abersoch Bay. Quieter than its famous neighbour, it’s a popular spot…
Traeth Bychan
Traeth Bychan is a lovely sandy beach nestled between Benllech and Moelfre on Anglesey’s east coast. It’s a peaceful spot, perfect for a relaxing day by the sea. The beach…
Dinas Dinlle
Dinas Dinlle is a broad sandy and shingle beach on the coast of Caernarfon Bay, backed by a distinctive grassy hill topped with the remains of an Iron Age hillfort.…
Aberffraw Beach
Aberffraw Beach, also known as Traeth Mawr, is a serene, unspoiled sandy bay located on the southwestern coast of Anglesey. Accessible via a scenic half-mile walk along the River Ffraw…
Rhosneigr Beach
Rhosneigr Beach is a lively coastal destination on Anglesey’s western shore, made up of two broad sandy beaches, Traeth Crigyll and Traeth Llydan. Known as one of the island’s watersports…
Benllech Beach
Benllech Beach sits on the east coast of Anglesey and is one of the island’s best-loved family beaches. Its long stretch of golden sand and calm, shallow waters make it…
Porth Swtan/Church Bay
Church Bay, also known by its Welsh name Porth Swtan, is a peaceful beach on Anglesey’s northwest coast. It’s a mix of sand and pebbles, with rock pools and cliffs…
Abersoch Harbour Beach
Abersoch Harbour Beach is a small sandy stretch where the River Soch meets the sea, between Abersoch Harbour and The Warren. At low tide, the exposed sand connects with the…
Traeth Penllech
Traeth Penllech is a wonderfully unspoilt stretch of sandy coastline on the northern Llŷn Peninsula, extending for more than a mile beneath rugged cliffs. Its remote feel and far-reaching views…
Trearddur Bay Beach
Trearddur Bay Beach is a picturesque sandy beach located near Holyhead on the Isle of Anglesey. Known for its clear blue waters and expansive sandy shores, it’s a haven for…
Newborough Beach
Newborough Beach is one of Anglesey’s most spectacular coastal destinations, stretching for miles beside the dunes of Newborough Warren with panoramic views across the Menai Strait towards Eryri. The vast…
Criccieth Beach
Criccieth has two distinctive beaches divided by its magnificent medieval castle, creating one of the most memorable seaside settings on the Llŷn Peninsula. The eastern beach is shallower and pebbly,…
Aberdesach Beach
Aberdesach Beach is a quiet shingle and sand beach on the northern coast of the Llŷn Peninsula, with wonderful views across Caernarfon Bay towards Anglesey. Backed by the dramatic slopes…
Borth-y-Gest Beach
Borth-y-Gest is a picturesque collection of sheltered sandy coves just south-west of Porthmadog, backed by a charming coastal village of pastel-coloured cottages. At low tide, the beaches open up towards…
Pwllheli Beach
Pwllheli’s coastline offers two contrasting beach experiences: the sandy and pebbly Glan y Don and the shingle-dominated South Beach beside the promenade. Close to the town centre, these beaches combine…
Aberdaron Beach
Aberdaron Beach sits at the western tip of the Llŷn Peninsula, beside the charming fishing village often known as the “Land’s End of Wales”. This broad, south-facing sweep of sand…
Llandonna Beach
Llanddona Beach is a long, sandy stretch on Anglesey’s east coast, tucked between Red Wharf Bay and Penmon. Its peaceful setting and wide shoreline make it a lovely place for…
Porth Ceiriad
Porth Ceiriad is a beautiful, secluded sandy cove on the southern Llŷn Peninsula, tucked beneath dramatic cliffs between Abersoch and Porth Neigwl. Its sheltered, undeveloped setting gives it a wonderfully…
Porth Neigwl (Hell's Mouth)
Porth Neigwl, better known as Hell’s Mouth, is a dramatic three-mile sweep of sand and pebbles on the southern Llŷn Peninsula. Despite its formidable nickname, the bay is a spectacular…
Traeth Lleiniog
Tucked along Anglesey’s eastern coast near Penmon, Traeth Lleiniog is a peaceful stretch of sand and shingle backed by woodland. With views across the Menai Strait towards Snowdonia, it’s a…
Trefor Beach
Trefor Beach is a characterful mix of sand and pebbles at the foot of Yr Eifl on the northern Llŷn Peninsula. The sheltered bay is backed by Trefor village and…
Borth Wen (Rhoscolyn Beach)
Rhoscolyn Beach, also known as Traeth Borth Wen, is a secluded sandy cove located on the southern coast of Holy Island, Anglesey. Surrounded by rolling dunes and rocky headlands, it…
Llanbedrog Beach
Llanbedrog Beach is one of the Llŷn Peninsula’s most recognisable seaside spots, famous for its colourful beach huts lining a sheltered mile-long sweep of sand. Woodland-covered Mynydd Tir-y-Cwmwd rises behind…
Llandanwg Beach
Llandanwg Beach is a peaceful sandy cove on the coast near Harlech, with wonderful views across Cardigan Bay towards the Llŷn Peninsula. The little Church of St Tanwg sits remarkably…
Porth Ysgo
Porth Ysgo is a tiny, secluded cove on the western Llŷn Peninsula, tucked beneath steep grassy cliffs. The golden sand is reached via almost 150 steps, but the effort rewards…
Traeth Gwyn
Traeth Gwyn, meaning White Beach, is a secluded little cove on Anglesey’s northeast coast. Rather than golden sand, its shoreline is formed from striking white limestone pebbles, backed by steep…
Penrhos Beach
Penrhos Beach is a peaceful sandy bay within Penrhos Coastal Park, just outside Holyhead. Backed by woodland and surrounded by a network of walking trails, it offers a wonderfully different…
Harlech Beach
Harlech Beach is a magnificent expanse of golden sand and dunes stretching along Cardigan Bay beneath the dramatic slopes of Harlech. With views towards the Llŷn Peninsula and the mountains…
Abersoch Beach
Abersoch Beach is one of the most popular seaside destinations on the Llŷn Peninsula, North Wales. With its soft golden sand, calm sheltered waters and stunning views across Cardigan Bay,…
FAQs
The beaches of North Wales offer something different in any season, however do keep in mind that storms are entirely possible throughout winter and early spring, so make sure to check the forecast and conditions before heading out. In peak summer, many of the popular hotspots tend to be very busy with limited parking, but with over 250 miles of coastline, there are plenty to go around. For more of an insight into when you should visit, check out our guide on The Best Time to Visit North Wales.
Most beaches in North Wales are dog friendly, however some of them may have restrictions during the peak months (May to September.) There is usually helpful signage at the entrance to the beach to make you aware of this. North Wales is a dream destination for any dog owner, and we have plenty of dog-friendly places to stay!
North Wales is a hotspot for watersports, with many beaches being famous for surfing, windsurfing and coasteering. Take a look at the full range of activities for more information.
Yes! Whether you want to maximise time spent with sand between your toes, or wish to fall asleep to the sound of the surf, our collection of holiday cottages by the beach in North Wales will have what you’re looking for.
Stay with Oyster Holiday Cottages
Anglesey
Renowned for its rugged coastline, wonderful beaches and picturesque, rolling countryside, Anglesey offers a wide array of outdoor activities, including fabulous walks and great water sports.
Snowdonia
Known for its towering mountains, great hiking trails and hidden waterfalls, Snowdonia is a must-visit destination in North Wales. To find a great base for touring this spectacular region, check out Oyster’s Snowdonia holiday cottages and wake up to glorious mountain views.
Llyn Peninsula
Extending 30 miles west into the Irish Sea, the Llyn Peninsula is a historic Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with diverse wildlife and sweeping beaches.
Conwy
Explore the exciting activities and attractions in Conwy, from castles to mountain zoos.
North Wales
Steeped in folklore and home to staggering landscapes, North Wales is a wonderful holiday destination, especially for those who love the outdoors. Beaches, mountains, castles, museums and an amazing array of watersports and other outdoor pursuits are all on offer. But so is absolute tranquillity and wild, unspoilt nature.
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Our exclusive concierge service is here to tailor every detail of your stay, from thrilling activities and wellness sessions to gourmet dining experiences. Whether you seek adventure, relaxation, or culinary delights, our dedicated team promises to craft a personalised holiday that exceeds your expectations.
Embark on an unforgettable journey with us—where every moment is designed just for you.
