5 Best Carmarthenshire Beaches 

 

It’s got the Gower Peninsula on one side and Pembrokeshire on the other, so it should come as no surprise to hear that Carmarthenshire has a splendidly scenic stretch of coastline too. But while its rather more famous neighbours soak up much of the attention, Carmarthenshire still flies a bit under the radar as far as visitors go.

That’s good news for those who do make it to this part of the world, of course – because while Carmarthenshire’s coast has lots of lovely beaches it generally lacks the crowds that can sometimes be found elsewhere around south and west Wales. From quiet coves through to long, long sandy beaches, it’s all here… and linked up by some great walks on the Wales Coast Path too (find out more about this and other tips for local walks in our guide to the top walks in Carmarthenshire).

If you’re travelling with dogs, it may be handy to note that they’re welcome on most Carmarthenshire beaches – although some beaches restrict them to a certain part of the beach during high season (usually the start of May through to the end of September).

Interested in finding some of the lesser visited corners of west Wales? Read on for our guide to the best beaches in Carmarthenshire…

Pendine Sands

From the longest beach to the fastest – there are a lot of superlatives in Carmarthenshire. At seven miles long, Pendine Sands doesn’t miss out by much, but it has its own claim to fame anyway. The firm, straight sands here make the ideal surface for fast driving – and Pendine Sands has been the venue for all sorts of land speed records, from that set by Malcolm Campbell in 1924 through to Idris Elba’s ‘flying mile’ record in 2015.

You can still drive a car onto some parts of the beach now (not quite at those speeds, mind you…) and there’s also horse riding, kayak and paddleboard hire, a café and plenty of space for sandcastle building and kite flying. 

Although it doesn’t have a beach of its own, county town Carmarthen is well placed for getting to lots of top spots along the coast. Have a look for Carmarthen campsites to be in the centre of the action.

Llansteffan beach

A trip to Llansteffan beach is what you make it – it can be either a nice easy day out with the kids, or it can be the base for a good coastal walk. For a family day, simply park up at one of the beachfront car parks (great news – they’re free) and scamper out onto the beach for some time playing in the sand or poking around in the rock pools. Toilets and an ice cream shop are on hand. 

If you fancy a more active time, set out to climb the hill to explore the medieval remnants of Llansteffan Castle and then make your way through the surrounding woods to get down to Scott’s Bay for a quieter but equally lovely beach. Both of Llansteffan’s beaches are good for swimming – they’re at the mouth of the river Tywi so they’re more sheltered than those out on Carmarthen Bay.

Check out our list of the best campsites near Llansteffan.

Burry Port beach

Soft sand, sweeping dunes and a busy little marina… it’s hard to believe that the coast around Burry Port was industrial wasteland until the early part of the 21st century. A huge regeneration project has now created a nature reserve and a lovely sandy beach, with two areas (either side of the lighthouse and harbour) to choose from. 

Burry Port isn’t exactly what you’d call a resort town, and it’s all the better for it if you’re after a low-key family day out. You won’t find amusement arcades and candyfloss stalls here, but there’s a good fish and chip shop and a cafés for cakes and ice cream – and you can pick up a bucket and spade or a football in the shops easily enough too. There are a couple of good-sized car parks by the coast, and Burry Port also has a train station so it’s a good pick for a day out on public transport.

Look for a campsite near Llanelli to be close to Burry Port beach.

Marros Sands

If you’re looking for a proper escape from hordes of people, Marros Sands is the place for that – this is another of Carmarthenshire’s great stretches of sandy beach, but as it’s accessed via a steep path and a walk of a mile or so, it’s one for the adventurer rather than a family-friendly day out.

Those that do make it here will be rewarded with some excellent exploring opportunities: there are caves to make your way into, and at low tide the waves reveal the stumps of a petrified forest and the timbers of an old shipwreck. (And that’s not the only reason to come along at low tide – much of the beach is covered in water at high tide…)

To up your quota of seaside scenery, set out on the coast path for a hike that takes in Telpyn beach and/or Pendine as well as Marros. 

Tempted to build a whole break in west Wales? Read our guide to camping in west Wales for all the top tips before you go