Don't tell a sole
Ssssh! Pembrokeshire's secret beaches
If you’ve walked the whole of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, you’ll have come across most of our secret beaches, but you won’t have seen them all!
Here are our best tips for some solitary sunbathing…
Presipe near Manorbier beach
This cracking beach is often overlooked as it’s right next to the MOD’s missile test firing facility at Manorbier Camp. Park near Manorbier Youth Hostel and walk back around the camp perimeter. Cross the field and locate the steps down onto the beach for some crowd-free sand castle building. Also, search out Church Doors in the other direction but that’s only accessible at low tide.
Lindsway Bay, St Ishmaels
Lindsway bay near the entrance to the Milford Haven waterway, this beach is huge at low tide. Park near the sports club at the eastern edge of St Ishmaels and follow the footpath around the pitches. This brings you onto the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. Turn left until you find a steep set of steps down to the beach. You’ll probably have it all to yourself.
Porthselau or Porthsele, St Davids
Half a mile south of the very popular Whitesands Bay is the tiny sandy cove of Porthselau. It’s almost a private beach for the Pencarnan campsite because you can only get to it via the Coast Path but it’s worth the trek as it’s far more relaxed than wilder Whitesands.
Porthlysgi Bay, St Davids
Not just a beach but a whole bay! Porthlysgi is a gently sloping sandy beach with a pebble bank above the foreshore (most of Pembrokeshire’s beaches have pebble banks). You’ll need to park at Porthclais and walk west for about a mile but it’s well worth the effort.
Bullslaughter Bay, Castlemartin
I’m going back on a promise not to reveal this one but I just can’t resist it! Surprisingly it isn’t visible from the Coast Path so you need to actively seek it out. Park at Stack Rocks near Castlemartin and walk east. You pass Flimston Bay, which is difficult (but not impossible) to get down to. Another half a mile brings you Bullslaughter with great surf!
Some of the beaches may only be accessible at low tide so check the tide times before you leave.
Discover your secret hideaway.