Abersoch
Abersoch is a mighty beach that sits on the southern coast of the Llyn Peninsula, facing eastwards. The position shelters it against some of the blustery weather that it might be subject to otherwise.
The long sheltered sandy beach has become extremely popular for water sports that include the likes of dinghy sailing, as well as windsurfing and jet skiing on the open waters. This gorgeous resort attracts people back to the area time after time, and those people who can afford it even choose to get a second home here.
Abersoch has found itself to be a high-value and well-maintained area. It’s not just a summer destination, thanks to its microclimate it gets nice beach days well outside of the traditional summer season.
Dinas Dinlle
Just to the northeast of the Llyn Peninsula sits the amazing Dinas Dinlle, its views over towards the cliffs of the peninsula, and other towering peaks in the far distance. The amazing views are accompanied by a wonderful beach, this is enhanced further when the tide is out, revealing large sandy planes perfect for family fun. This great beach is just a stone’s throw from the medieval castle town of the Caernarfon, ideally placing it for a full day out of activities. There are even caravans for sale snowdonia if you want to stay longer!
Porthdinllaen
This amazing headland area is on the north side of the Llyn peninsula, which is close to the village of Morfa Nefyn. It is a beautiful little settlement – and a great place to pick up some fish and chips! Ty Coch Inn is a great place to have a beer and a bit of food, open year-round.
Llandudno
This wonderful peninsula pokes out of Conwy county into the Irish sea, home of the Great Orme and its famous goats. This is perhaps one of the most famous resorts in North Wales, thanks to its accessibility and rich heritage. Named as the queen of Welsh resorts, its seafront is lined with white-clad hotels with great sea views. There is also a thriving nightlife to enjoy.
When it comes to the beaches themselves, Llandudno has two, its North Shore is the famous one with hotels and promenade, while the West Shore is quiet, sand-covered and away from the main town centre.
Llanddwyn (Newborough).
A long and arcing bay which leads to a narrow tidal island, this is Llanddwyn Island (or Ynys LlanddwynLlandwyn) which is home to a beautiful lighthouse and the ruins of an old nunnery. It also has a legend attached to it of St Dwynwen, and is an important place in Welsh mythology.
For a day out with the family, you have the choice of a great number of lovely spots along the beachfront to enjoy the sunshine and the views down the coastline. You can also walk to the island during a low tide to enjoy the glorious sites of the island itself.
Conwy Morfa
Just along the coast from Llandudno, Conwy Morfa is a large, sandy bay backed by dunes and the slopes of Conwy Mountain, sitting at the mouth of the Conwy Estuary next to Conwy Golf Course. It’s a quieter alternative to its more famous neighbour, with wide open views across to the Great Orme and plenty of space for a peaceful walk. At low tide the sand stretches out considerably, drawing dog walkers, horse riders and anyone looking to escape the busier resort beaches nearby.
Porth Oer (Whistling Sands)
Tucked on the northern coast of the Llŷn Peninsula near Aberdaron, Porth Oer is better known by its English name, Whistling Sands, thanks to a curious quirk: the dry sand squeaks underfoot, a phenomenon found on only a couple of beaches anywhere in Europe. Looked after by the National Trust, this crescent-shaped bay is framed by steep grassy cliffs and clear water that’s popular for swimming, surfing and bodyboarding. A seasonal café and short clifftop walk down to the sand make it an easy stop for a family day out.
Porth Iago
One of the Llŷn Peninsula’s best-kept secrets, Porth Iago is a small, west-facing cove reached along a working farm track, with a modest parking charge to cross the land. What awaits is worth the detour: pale golden sand and strikingly clear, turquoise water framed by rocky headlands, often compared to a tropical cove. It’s a great spot for swimming, paddleboarding and rock fishing, and a nearby campsite means it’s possible to wake up metres from the water.
Rhosneigr
Over on Anglesey’s western shore, Rhosneigr is home to two broad sandy beaches, Traeth Crigyll and Traeth Llydan, split by a headland and backed by a lively little village of cafés and surf shops. Steady winds off the Irish Sea have made it one of the region’s top spots for watersports, from windsurfing and kitesurfing to sailing, while calmer patches of the bay suit families happy to swim or explore the dunes and rock pools.
Talacre
Further east on the Flintshire coast near Prestatyn, Talacre is instantly recognisable for the Point of Ayr Lighthouse standing out on the sand — a Grade II listed structure dating back to 1776, making it one of the oldest lighthouses in Wales. Backed by dunes and a nature reserve, the beach offers a very different, wilder landscape to the rest of the North Wales coast, and the walk out to the lighthouse at low tide is a popular draw for photographers and families alike.
Barmouth
Down in southern Gwynedd, Barmouth pairs a classic sandy resort beach with one of the most striking backdrops in Wales: the Barmouth Bridge, a wooden viaduct stretching across the Mawddach Estuary and the longest of its kind in Britain. With the mountains of Eryri rising behind the estuary, it’s a beach that rewards a longer visit, whether that’s building sandcastles on the shore or walking across the historic bridge itself.
We hope you have a good idea of just a small selection of the beaches that North Wales has to offer, do come and visit when circumstances permit and witness it all for yourself!
