At a glance
38 verified beaches across Anglesey's 125-mile coastline, the Llyn Peninsula's remote coves and the Victorian sands of the North Coast — from Blue Flag family beaches to deserted wild-swim spots.
About North Wales beaches
North Wales has some of the best beaches in Britain — a claim backed by consistent Blue Flag and Seaside Award ratings. The variety is remarkable: Anglesey alone has 125 miles (200 km) of coastline, ranging from the vast 4-mile sweep of Newborough in the south-west to the sheltered sandy bays near Beaumaris in the east.
The Llyn Peninsula is one of Wales's most unspoilt coastlines. Car-free Porth Dinllaen — a hamlet of white-washed cottages on the sand with the legendary Ty Coch Inn — consistently features in lists of Britain's most beautiful beaches. Porthor, or Whistling Sands, produces an audible squeak as you walk — caused by the purity and rounded shape of the sand grains.
The Victorian resorts of Llandudno and Barmouth remain as popular as ever. Barmouth's Blue Flag beach is backed by a Victorian seafront with a narrow-gauge railway terminus; Llandudno's wide promenade between the Great Orme and Little Orme headlands is one of the best-preserved Victorian seaside townscapes in Wales.
Top 8 beaches in North Wales
Beaches by region
- Anglesey
- The highest concentration — 125 miles (200 km) of coastline with dozens of named beaches. Best: Newborough, Rhosneigr, Cable Bay, Lligwy, Benllech.
- Llyn Peninsula
- Remote and unspoilt. Best: Porth Dinllaen, Porthor, Aberdaron, Porth Oer, Porthcolmon. Most require a walk from the car park — which keeps them quiet.
- Conwy & North Coast
- Llandudno's two beaches, Conwy Morfa, Kinmel Bay. Rhyl and Prestatyn have long sandy beaches backed by dunes.
- Snowdonia
- Barmouth, Harlech Beach (below the castle), Fairbourne and Shell Island (at low tide only, one of Europe's largest shell beaches).
Practical information
Lifeguards
RNLI lifeguards patrol the most popular beaches from late May to mid-September. Attended beaches include Rhosneigr, Barmouth, Llandudno (West Shore) and Benllech. Always swim between the red and yellow flags and heed blue-and-white chequered (no swimming) flags.
Sea temperatures
North Wales sea temperatures peak in August at around 16–17°C. A wetsuit extends the comfortable swimming season from May to October. Wetsuits can be hired from surf shops in Rhosneigr and at Barmouth.
Dogs
Most rural and remote beaches allow dogs year-round. Popular beaches typically restrict dogs on the main bathing area May–September. Newborough and Porth Dinllaen are dog-friendly year-round.
Frequently asked questions
The top beaches are: Newborough Beach on Anglesey (4-mile golden sweep, Llanddwyn Island accessible at low tide), Porth Dinllaen on the Llyn Peninsula (car-free cove, Ty Coch Inn on the sand), Barmouth (traditional seaside town, Blue Flag), and Rhosneigr (world-class windsurfing). For remote and wild, try Porthor (Whistling Sands) where the sand squeaks underfoot. All are free to access.
Newborough Beach, Porth Dinllaen, Barmouth North, Aberdaron and most rural beaches on Anglesey and the Llyn allow dogs year-round. Most popular beaches (Rhosneigr, Llandudno, Criccieth) have seasonal dog restrictions on the main bathing areas (typically May–September) but permit dogs on other sections. Always check the specific beach's latest byelaws before travelling.
Most popular beaches have Blue Flag or Seaside Award water quality. Newborough, Rhosneigr, Llandudno, Barmouth and Criccieth all have good bathing water quality ratings. Rip currents can form at open coastal beaches — look for RNLI lifeguard flags in season (generally May–September on attended beaches) and always swim between the red and yellow flags. Porthor has strong currents and no lifeguards — use caution.
Take the Cambrian Coast Line train to Pwllheli, then the Llyn Coastal Bus to Morfa Nefyn. From the car park at Morfa Nefyn, the beach is a 15-minute walk along the coastal path. There is no road access to the beach itself — which is what makes it so special. National Trust car parking at Morfa Nefyn costs around £4–6 per day.
July and August are warmest (sea temperatures ~16°C) and busiest. June and September are quieter with similar daylight hours. May and October offer the emptiest beaches and often dramatic weather — ideal for photography. The Anglesey and Llyn coasts can be visited year-round; winter storms provide spectacular surf and seabird viewing at South Stack.
Newborough has paid NRW car parks (£5–8 per day); the beach is a 20-minute walk through the forest from the main car park. Rhosneigr village has on-street parking and pay-and-display. Barmouth has a large seafront car park. Llandudno has multiple town centre car parks. Porth Dinllaen: park at Morfa Nefyn (National Trust, around £5). Aberdaron has a small village car park.