As Pembrokeshire’s primary tourist destination, Tenby maintains a high quality for its beaches, providing ample facilities and holding numerous environmental accolades. The following below summarises the four iconic beaches around Tenby.
Tenby North Beach is a golden sandy beach dotted with rock pools and the imposing Goscar Rock. North Beach is sandwiched between the harbour beach and the north cliffs and is overlooked by a promenade and Tenby town, which overlooks Carmarthen Bay. North Beach is accessible by the north cliff steps or across the harbour. This beach is frequently packed during the summer due to its popularity and ease of access.
The beach is Blue Flag certified, and the water quality is exceptional, meeting all EC guidelines. From May to September, the beach is dog-free.
A shop, cafe, toilets, and different hire facilities are located just above the beach, in addition to the basic amenities given by Tenby town. A lifeguard service is available daily from 10 am to 6 pm in the summer.
The best parking for this beach is North Beach car park, Gas Lane, off Narberth Road (A478) This car park also uses the Pay-By-Phone app. If you don’t have the app loaded, you can find more information HERE.
More Information on North Beach
Harbour beach is the smallest of Tenby beaches and is beautifully located in the harbour itself. On either side of this picturesque beach, there are steps and roads leading back to town and a raised walkway across the cliff base to North beach.
While Harbour Beach is only a few minutes from town, it does feature toilets and food outlets like the unique Stowaway Cafe tucked into one of the old archways along Penniless Cove Hill. In addition to housing and the Sailing Club on the Harbour, there is also the beautiful little fishermen’s chapel called St Julian’s. At high tide, boat tours depart from the harbour to Caldey island.
There is parking nearby for Castle Beach, but is a short walk through the town. You have the multi-story off Upper Park Road or the Five Arches Pay and Display on South Parade.
Castle Beach is located between Castle Hill and the East Cliff in a cove. It is feasible to walk out to St. Catherine’s island at low tides, but caution should be exercised to avoid being cut off by the tide.
Although Castle Beach is a short walk from town, the slipway features the wonderful Dennis Café, hire facility, deck chair rental, and toilet facilities. The beach is patrolled by a Lifeguard from 10 am to 6 pm during the summer season, and boat cruises to Caldey Island depart from the beach at low tide.
There is parking nearby for Castle Beach, but is a short walk through the town. You have the multi-story off Upper Park Road or the Five Arches Pay and Display on South Parade.
More Information on Castle Beach
With two kilometres of golden sands, South Beach stretches from St. Catherine’s Island to Penally Beach onto Giltar Point. The beach is surrounded by sand dunes and faces Caldey Island. South Beach has been awarded a Seaside Award by the Tidy Britain Group and the prestigious Blue Flag Award.
South Beach is less touristy than Tenby North beach, but it still has a fabulous Restaurant and Bar called Salty’s and additional outdoor takeaway cabins. There are also rental facilities at the northern end of the beach and toilet facilities (with disability access) and telephones in the adjacent car park. Throughout the summer, lifeguards are on duty daily from 10 am to 6 pm
The nearest long-stay parking for this beach is South Beach car park, off Battery Road. This car park also uses the Pay-By-Phone app. If you don’t have the app loaded, you can find more information HERE.
More Information on South Beach
When people talk about beaches around Tenby, Penally beach tends to get mistaken as being South beach, but Penally Beach is an undeveloped stretch of coast, backed by dunes. And as you can see from the image at the top of this article, the beach is connected to Tenby South and Castle Beach in one complete stretch.
Penally Beach is primarily sandy with some shingle and leads to Giltar Point, which offers spectacular views of the coastline and Caldey Island. This links you to the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path, which takes you all the way to Lydstep and beyond. Additionally, you have a stunning view of Tenby town, including St Catherines Island and the Fort. Penally Beach is popular with dog walkers throughout the year due to its vast expanse.
The nearest long-stay parking for this beach is Penally railway station and beach car park, A4139. This car park also uses the Pay-By-Phone app. If you don’t have the app loaded, you can find more information HERE.
More Information on Penally BeachFor Tide Times and Information on all Beaches Around Tenby Click Here
Are there any dangerous sea animals on South beach and north beach
Ian
May 24, 2023 at 8:54 amAre dogs allowed on South Beach?
Around Tenby
June 1, 2023 at 2:08 pmYes they are, dogs are allowed all year round on South Beach. It is well marked which side your allowed.