The best beaches in and around Abersoch

Once a tiny fishing village with a busy working port, Abersoch is a North Wales destination that has become known for its heavenly beaches and luxury holiday homes. Situated on the southern side of the Llŷn Peninsula, the village is home to a variety of shops and eateries and has the feel of a luxurious sunsoaked surf town. There are endless watersports on offer and the proximity to North Wales’ best beaches for surfing make this a great destination for any keen surfer. However, it’s not all high-octane adventure; many of the beaches in Abersoch are known for their crystalline waters, golden sands and friendly bottlenose dolphins who join early-morning paddleboarders!      

Below, we’ve listed 8 of Abersoch’s best beaches that you must experience during your visit. 

Abersoch Beach (Traeth Abersoch)  

Abersoch main beach lies to the south west of the village centre and boasts stunning views out towards Snowdonia. There is parking right behind the beach on the way to the golf club, but you can also reach it on foot from the village centre either by following Lon Traeth at the side of Two Islands Cafe, or by turning left off Stryd Fawr down Lon Golff. The beach has plenty of facilities, including beach huts for rental, which you can enjoy with our Geejays property. The beach is also the daily meeting place for the Abersoch Dunkers – a friendly and welcoming cold water community who meet at 8:15 am each morning to start the day the perfect way – with a dip in the sea. The local pod of bottlenose dolphins can often be found frolicking in these waters. For the best chance to see them, take a paddleboard tour with Abersoch Watersports or allow us to arrange a private boat tour.  

If you arrive on Abersoch beach at the slipway and turn right, you’ll eventually come to the quieter Machroes Beach, where there is another beach cafe and public toilet block with a small carpark. 

Best for: The ultimate family beach day. This beach is also east-facing which makes for spellbinding sunrises.   

Parking info: If you head for Abersoch Golf Club and turn left just before you reach the entrance, you’ll find a large paid carpark with a toilet block and outdoor showers (Golf Rd, Abersoch, Pwllheli LL53 7EY.) Alternatively, if you wish to visit Machroes Beach without walking all the way there, there is a small carpark directly behind the beach (LL53 7EU.) Make sure to arrive early if you want to secure a space! 

Is Abersoch Main Beach dog-friendly? Abersoch’s main beach has dog restrictions from May to September – dogs can only go to the right of the slipway. Machroes beach is dog-friendly all year-round. 

The Warren Beach  

The Warren is an exclusive holiday park set just outside of the village with its own beach. While the park and its facilities are reserved for guests only, you can access the beach on foot and enjoy the Sandbar restaurant and cafe. The beach is dog friendly and is a huge expanse of soft sand, with the weathered wooden stairs and glass balustrades of the private park chalets giving it a Malibu-esque feel. 

Best for: High-end holiday vibes with a beachfront bar 

Parking info: Park in one of the roadside spots along the A499 on the approach to Abersoch village. You’ll need to cross the road and take one of the footpaths onto Trywyn y Fach beach. Once you’re on the beach, turn left and keep walking to reach The Warren beach.  

Is The Warren Beach dog-friendly? Yes, Abersoch’s The Warren beach welcomes dogs all year-round. 

Quarry Beach 

Quarry beach sits at the far end of The Warren Beach, and is a quieter option with very limited parking. It is backed by a limestone headland which separates it from Llanbedrog and boasts beautiful sunrise views. Perfect for an early-morning or late-evening wander, you could even use this as your starting point to walk right the way to Abersoch village, if the tide suits. Dogs are welcome on this part of the beach, but you may find that you hit restricted areas as you approach the village. If that’s the case, you can also access Abersoch centre on a footpath alongside the main road. 

Best for: Amazing views at the far end of Abersoch – firm sand at low tide makes it great for long walks.    

Parking info: Limited free parking at the end of a single-track lane (LL53 7UW) – arrive early to get a spot! 

Is Quarry Beach dog-friendly? Yes – dogs are allowed all year round. 

Harbour Beach  

Once a hive of activity for the Llŷn’s fishermen, Harbour Beach is still busy as a thoroughfare for tractors and as the entrance to the moorings. The far right side, where steps descend into the water from the harbour wall, is loved by locals for quiet and quick morning dips. Be sure to check the tide times if you plan to visit this beach as it only really exists at low tide, and swimming by the harbour wall is only possible at high tide. 

Best for: Morning dips (at high tide) and quieter beach days (at low tide)   

Parking info: Follow Lon Pen Cei to find Pay & Display parking directly above the beach. Failing that, use one of the carparks elsewhere in the village and walk – nothing is too far. 

Is Harbour Beach dog-friendly? Dog restrictions apply between April and September, but aside from those months you can visit with your four-legged friend.  

Llanbedrog Beach

If you’re staying in a holiday cottage in Abersoch, we recommend venture out to discover what beautiful beaches and pretty villages await in the surrounds. Llanbedrog is close by and is the home of Oriel Plas Glyn Y Weddw, an art gallery housed in a Gothic-style mansion built in 1857. Llanbedrog beach is just below the gallery and has plenty of parking and easy access. Known for its iconic row of colourful beach huts, Llanbedrog also boasts a stunning segment of the Wales Coast Path, with many walkers making the pilgrimage to the Tin Man on the headland. 

Best for: Family beach days with easy access, toilets and a beachfront cafe.   

Parking info: The beach is owned by the National Trust, and so has a large carpark which is free for members. A fee is payable for those who aren’t members. The pay & display machine only accepts coins.  

Is Llanbedrog Beach dog-friendly? Yes – however you must keep your dog on a lead until you’ve passed the colourful beach huts.  

Porth Neigwl (Hell’s Mouth) 

One of North Wales’ most popular surfing beaches, Porth Neigwl is a scenic 4-mile stretch of firm sand backed by cliffs. Appropriately named Hell’s Mouth in English, it is renowned for its dangerous cliffs, currents and riptides, which is why you should take great care when enjoying any watersports here. While the local and more experienced surfers can be found at the far left of the beach, surf schools, beginners and little ones can have fun in the white water at the centre of the beach. Be sure to check tide times and chat to a local surf school provider like Abersoch Watersports about currents and riptides if you’re unsure.   

Best for: Surfing, bodyboarding & long dog walks  

Parking info: There is a small tarmac carpark for Hell’s Mouth at Llanengan, Pwllheli LL53 7LG, however this does get full very quickly during summer. Further parking is available on grassy verges along the road, but please park with respect.  

Is Porth Neigwl dog-friendly? Yes – dogs are allowed on the beach all year-round. 

Aberdaron Beach  

Another village close to Abersoch, Aberdaron sits at the far reaches of the Llyn Peninsula, where the land juts out into the Irish Sea. Again shaped by the Llyn’s maritime past, Aberdaron was once a bustling port where shipbuilding and mining exports were the main trades. After the Second World War, the village became known as a holiday resort and has remained much that way since. The beach sits directly below the village and is a sandy, sheltered bay bordered by rocky outcrops. 

Best for: Quieter family beach days with stunning clear waters.  

Parking info: There is a National Trust carpark for Aberdaron Beach with a visitors centre. Further parking during peak season is often offered by farmers who open up their nearby fields, so be sure to take cash. 

Is Aberdaron Beach dog-friendly? The stretch of beach between the church and the river does not allow dogs between April – September, but there is a small amount of space either side of this where they are allowed. 

Porthor (Whistling Sands)   

While the east-facing beaches of Abersoch are perfect for watching sunrise, Porthor on the northern side of the peninsula faces west, giving you the best of both worlds. A secluded little bay backed by steep grassy cliffs, Porthor gets its English name (whistling sands) from the sound that the sand makes as you walk atop it. A truly stunning spot for sundowners, this glorious golden beach is a must-visit during any short break in Abersoch.  

Best for: Swimming in a secluded cove, dog-free summer beach days  

Parking info: Porthor is a National Trust beach with a free carpark for members (LL53 8LG.) Non-members can pay at the machines using coins, or online using the PaybyPhone app. 

Is Porthor dog-friendly? Not during summer – dogs are only permitted on Porthor from October to the end of March. 

Holiday cottages in Abersoch, North Wales 

Have the beaches above done enough to convince you to book that break? We’ve got a choice of stunning holiday lets in Abersoch including Geejays, a luxurious and contemporary abode for up to 6 with a hot tub, and the option to book a private beach hut on Abersoch’s main beach. 113 Cae Du is another luxurious option for a holiday cottage in Abersoch with a hot tub, sleeping up to six people and within walking distance of the village centre. 

If you want to elevate your Aberosch experience, we can provide our concierge service to create the holiday of your dreams. Cruise along country lanes in a vintage car, seek secluded coves with a private boat trip or simply ask us to arrange something special!   

Alternatively, discover our guides to the best beaches in North Wales and on Anglesey.