1. Silver Bay Beach

This perfect sandy crescent, wild and off-the-beaten-track sits on the south coast of Holy Island, Anglesey at the southern end of the Cymran Straits. Perfect for swimming and paddling on a calm day, you’ll most likely have this beach almost to yourself. To get to it park at Rhoscolyn Beach and walk east along the coast path (walk back up the road from the Rhoscolyn Beach car park, keep right to follow the Wales Coast Path). Continue for 2.5km to Siver Sands Beach.

 

Parking for Silver Bay: only accessible on foot (unless you are staying at the Silver Bay Caravan site)

Is Silver Bay dog friendly: yes

Can you swim at Silver Bay: yes, no lifeguard

Where to eat near Silver Bay: see Rhoscolyn (there is a beach kiosk at Silver Sands, but opening hours are unknown)

Toilets at Silver Bay: no

2. Rhoscolyn Beach

Borth Wen Beach, also known as Rhoscolyn Beach, sits on the south coast of Holy Island, Anglesey. Sheltered by headlands it is a popular family beach with its gently sloping sands clear water and rockpools. There are some great coastal walks nearby too.

 

Parking for Rhoscolyn Beach: Rhoscolyn Beach car park (charges), LL65 2SJ. Grid ref. SH 272 751; What3Words fights.dancer.walnuts

Is Rhoscolyn Beach dog friendly: yes

Can you swim at Rhoscolyn Beach: yes, it’s a very popular place to swim; no lifeguard

Where to eat near Rhoscolyn Beach: The White Eagle, Rhoscolyn, is very popular for food and drink, tel. 01407 860267

Toilets at Rhoscolyn Beach: yes

3. Trearddur Bay Beach

Trearddur Bay beach, on the east coast of Holy Island Anglesey, is one of the island’s most popular beaches. With its gently sloping sand and protected by headlands it is great for swimming in an area protected by buoys. There are plenty of water sports and facilities on offer here.

 

Parking for Trearddur Bay Beach: Fron Tywyn (charges), LL65 2UL. Grid ref. SH 254 791;

What3Words nimbly.stooping.sigh

Is Trearddur Bay Beach dog friendly: permitted on part of the beach all year; restrictions on the eastern end of the beach, 1st May to 30th September

Can you swim at Trearddur Bay Beach: yes; seasonal lifeguard

Where to eat near Trearddur Bay Beach: great food and local beers by the beach, The Sea Shanty Café, tel. 01407 728200

Toilets at Trearddur Bay Beach: yes

4. Porth Diana and Porth Castell

These are two small sandy coves a short distance from the main beach in Trearddur Bay. Quite close to Ravenspoint Road, and backed by a sea wall. Porth Diana is the larger of the two, and Porth Castell makes a great swimming spot. Great rock pooling too on low tides.

 

Parking for Porth Diana and Porth Castell: Ravenspoint Road (free), <1km south of Trearrdhur. Postcode LL65 2AQ. Grid ref. SH 253 781; What3Words lowest.mothering.cutback

Is Porth Diana and Porth Castell dog friendly: yes

Can you swim at Trearddur Bay Beach: yes; no lifeguard

Where to eat near Porth Diana and Porth Castell: great food and local beers by the beach, The Sea Shanty Café, tel. 01407 728200

Toilets at Porth Diana and Porth Castell: no

5. Porth Dafarch

Porth Dafarch is a beautiful beach of sand, low headlands, and rockpools between Trearddur and Holyhead on Holy Island’s east coast. It’s where the locals go to escape the bustle of Trearddur Beach during the summer. Generally sheltered for beautiful swimming, snorkelling and paddle boarding, it is the setting off point for sea kayakers off to challenge themselves on the Penrhyn Mawr tidal race around the headland.

 

Parking for Porth Dafarch: Roadside (free), LL65 2LR. Grid ref. SH 235 799; What3Words responded.freedom.president

Is Porth Dafarch dog friendly: no dogs allowed 1 May – 30 Sept.

Can you swim at Porth Dafarch: yes; no lifeguard

Where to eat near Porth Dafarch: beach kiosks; great food and beers 750m walk north of the beach, the Paddlers Return, tel. 01407 763049 www.paddlersreturn.co.uk.

Toilets at Porth Dafarch: yes (March – Sept)

6. Newry Beach, Holyhead

Newry beach in Holyhead Harbour runs along the whole stretch of the promenade. The sand and shale beach, becomes sandier east of the Maritime Museum, often with very clear waters that are sheltered for swimming beneath the bulk of Holyhead Mountain.

 

Parking for Newry Beach: Beach Road (free), postcode LL65 1ET; Grid ref. SH244831; What3Words span.lamppost.proves

Is Newry Beach dog friendly: yes

Can you swim at Newry Beach: yes; no lifeguard

Where to eat near Newry Beach: good menu and views, Langdons Bar and Restaurant www.langdons.restaurant

Toilets at Newry Beach: Yes

7. Penrhos Beach

Large sand and shingle sweep of a beach, close to Holyhead, backed by grass and low headlands. Good views of Holyhead Mountain. Can we walked to from Penrhos Country park via the Anglesey Coastal Path (2.5km).

 

Parking for Penrhos Beach: beach car park (free), Penrhos Beach Road, LL65 2JA. Grid ref. SH 260 816; What3Words weekend.mushroom.recapture. Alternative parking to walk to beach, Penrhos Country Park, off the A5, postcode LL65 2JE.

Is Penrhos Beach dog friendly: yes

Can you swim at Penrhos: yes; no lifeguard

Where to eat near Penrhos Beach: afternoon teas at Coffee Cups café/Toll House, Penrhos Country Park

Toilets at Penrhos Beach: No, closest in Penrhos Country Park

8. Private Beach, Penrhos

A beautiful cove of soft white sand backed by a peaceful wooded nature reserve. It owes its name to the exclusivity it once afforded the owners of the Penrhos Estate – although they generally turned a blind-eye to visiting locals. On lower tides, enjoy a spot of rock-hopping, then continue around the shoreline to the large sweep of Traeth Penrhos.

 

Parking for Private Beach: Penrhos Country Park, off the A5, postcode LL65 2JE. Grid ref. SH 275 805; What3Words differ.having.foster

Is Private Beach dog friendly: yes

Can you swim at Private: yes; no lifeguard

Where to eat near Private Beach: afternoon teas at Coffee Cups café/Toll House, Penrhos Country Park

Toilets at Private Beach: No, closest in Penrhos Country Park