Saundersfoot Beach Guide: Sun, Sea & Local Delights

Saundersfoot Beach, nestled in the heart of the charming seaside village of Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire, is a Blue Flag-awarded sandy shoreline renowned for its family-friendly atmosphere and diverse activities.

Positioned between Tenby and Amroth along the south coast of Pembrokeshire, this beach overlooks Carmarthen Bay and is adjacent to a bustling harbour, blending historical significance with modern attractions like the Wales International Coastal Centre.

Location and Accessibility

The skeletal remains of the Helvetia, a Norwegian shipwreck from 1887, visible at low tide on Rhossili Bay — © Adobe Stock

Worm’s Head stretches into the sea at the western edge of Rhossili Bay — a striking landmark of the Gower Peninsula. Image Credit: © Shutterstock

Rhossili’s vast golden sands, popular for long walks, surfing, and panoramic views. Image Credit: © Shutterstock

The view from the cliff path reveals the unspoiled stretch of Rhossili Bay at low tide. Image Credit: © Shutterstock

Saundersfoot Beach is located in Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire, with the postcode SA69 9HE. An alternative postcode, SA69 9NL, is also associated with the beach.  Its OS grid reference is SN 1378 0490, aiding precise navigation.

The beach is accessible via slipways at both ends: one at the northern end by the Dramway tunnels and another at the southern end by the harbour, with the northern slipway featuring a flat path suitable for bicycles, prams, and wheelchairs.

Pay-and-display parking is available at the harbourside car park, which includes disabled spaces and public toilets, and another car park less than a five-minute walk away down the high street, also with charges.

Free roadside parking is available opposite the beach, though parking can be busy in summer.  Saundersfoot Train Station is a 30-minute walk from the beach, not centrally located as some might expect.

Beach Features and Natural Beauty

The skeletal remains of the Helvetia, a Norwegian shipwreck from 1887, visible at low tide on Rhossili Bay — © Adobe Stock

Worm’s Head stretches into the sea at the western edge of Rhossili Bay — a striking landmark of the Gower Peninsula. Image Credit: © Shutterstock

Rhossili’s vast golden sands, popular for long walks, surfing, and panoramic views. Image Credit: © Shutterstock

The view from the cliff path reveals the unspoiled stretch of Rhossili Bay at low tide. Image Credit: © Shutterstock

Saundersfoot Beach is a large, flat sandy beach with golden sands that remain accessible even at high tide, ideal for sand-based activities like building sandcastles or playing touch rugby. The gently sloping sands and very shallow water make it perfect for safe swimming and family bathing.

The beach lies alongside a formidable stone-walled harbour, once a launchpad for coal-transporting ships, now home to smaller marine boats, sailboats, and powerboats exploring Carmarthen Bay. The shoreline is backed by the village’s shops, cafes, and pastel-coloured houses, with a green space garden by The Strand for relaxation. A short walk north along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path leads to Wiseman’s Bridge via a cliff tunnel, offering scenic coastal views. 

Facilities and Amenities

The skeletal remains of the Helvetia, a Norwegian shipwreck from 1887, visible at low tide on Rhossili Bay — © Adobe Stock

Worm’s Head stretches into the sea at the western edge of Rhossili Bay — a striking landmark of the Gower Peninsula. Image Credit: © Shutterstock

Rhossili’s vast golden sands, popular for long walks, surfing, and panoramic views. Image Credit: © Shutterstock

The view from the cliff path reveals the unspoiled stretch of Rhossili Bay at low tide. Image Credit: © Shutterstock

Saundersfoot Beach is well-equipped with facilities, including toilets, a cafe/restaurant, a shop, and a first aid point.  Accessibility is prioritized with disabled facilities, mobility accessibility facilities, and an all-terrain beach wheelchair available for hire at the harbourside car park.

Dining options abound, with The Boathouse and The Mulberry offering scrumptious meals, The Kookaba serving authentic Australian cuisine, and Argosy providing seaside fish and chips. Philly’s Baguette Shop offers picnic sandwiches, HARBWR Bar serves Tenby-brewed beer, The Royal Oak provides pub grub, and Sue’s Pantry offers delicious cakes.

Ice cream parlours and an ice cream van cater to sweet cravings, while gift shops, beach shops, a small Tesco Extra, Heywoods of Saundersfoot butcher, and a seafood hut provide shopping convenience. The high street car park hosts the Saundersfoot Library, Tourist Information Centre, Regency Hall for community events, an amusement arcade, and a nightclub. 

Activities and Attractions

Saundersfoot Beach offers endless activities, including swimming, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, windsurfing, surfing, and kitesurfing, with stand-up paddleboarding popular on calm days. – Fishing is a draw for anglers, with catches like flounders, bass, dogfish, whiting, and dabs from the beach, harbour, or offshore by boat.

Sand-based activities include sculpting sandcastles or playing games, while sunbathing is popular on the sand, benches, or garden areas. Land-based activities like walking, running, and cycling are accessible via the Dramway, an old railway tunnel route connecting Saundersfoot to Coppet Hall, Wiseman’s Bridge, and Stepaside for scenic adventures.

The newly established Wales International Coastal Centre overlooks the seafront, featuring the Crabbing Centre, with the Coal Office Heritage Centre due to open soon. 

Events and Community Engagement

Saundersfoot Beach hosts vibrant community events, including the charitable New Year’s Day Swim, where participants raise money for charity in an open-water sea swim. The Saundersfoot Sprint Triathlon, held on the same weekend as Tenby’s Ironman, begins with a swim at the beach, followed by cycling and running along the coastline.

The Big Bang Weekend combines Halloween and Bonfire Night with three days of spooky events and firework displays over the water. Early December brings a Christmas festival at the harbour, featuring carol singing and shopping without sea swimming. 

Historical and Cultural Significance

Saundersfoot Beach’s harbour was historically significant for transporting coal from local collieries, with its stone walls reflecting this industrial past.

The village, more compact than nearby Tenby, has a unique charm and character, enhanced by its busy harbour and community spirit. Recent redevelopment plans have introduced the Wales International Coastal Centre, boosting the area’s appeal. 

Safety and Regulations

RNLI lifeguards patrol Saundersfoot Beach from late June to early September, ensuring safety for all visitors. Dogs are banned from the southern half of the beach and must be on a lead around the harbour from May 1 to September 30, though the eastern/northern end opposite the Dramway tunnel remains dog-friendly year-round.

The beach’s water quality is excellent, contributing to its Blue Flag and Marine Conservation Society Recommended status. 

Awards and Recognitions

Tenby South Beach is a favorite among dog owners, as it has fewer summer dog restrictions compared to other Tenby beaches, with dogs allowed at the far end year-round.

Historical and Cultural Significance

Saundersfoot Beach holds a Blue Flag Award for its cleanliness, water quality, and facilities, and is recommended by the Marine Conservation Society.

In early 2024, it was voted the third Best Sustainable Beach in the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards among over 4,000 Blue Flag beaches worldwide, recognized for terrific environmental management, education, water quality, and safety. 

Local Tips

Visitors staying along the Dramway Trail can walk to Saundersfoot Beach to avoid parking fees and congestion. Those using public transport should note that Saundersfoot Train Station is a 30-minute walk from the beach, requiring advance planning. 

Accommodation

Saundersfoot offers a range of holiday cottages, ideal for exploring Saundersfoot Beach, Glen Beach, and Coppet Hall Beach, providing a lively base for coastal holidays year-round. 

Conclusion

Saundersfoot Beach is a dynamic Pembrokeshire destination, blending golden sands, safe swimming, and a bustling harbour with modern attractions like the Wales International Coastal Centre.

Its Blue Flag status, vibrant events like the New Year’s Day Swim, and proximity to Tenby and Amroth make it a family favourite. With excellent facilities, diverse activities from surfing to fossil hunting, and a sustainable ethos recognized globally, Saundersfoot Beach promises an unforgettable coastal experience.