7 Best Anglesey Beaches To Visit

 

If you’re off to Anglesey, chances are you’re in search of some seaside time – this is, after all, an island that’s got a splendid 125 miles of coastline, with all sorts of gorgeous little spots to stop by at along the way. (And to put that 125 miles into context, if you were to walk the entirety of the Wales Coast Path, you’d spend about 14% of your time on the shores of Anglesey…)

With all that length to pick from, it’s no surprise to hear that there are lots of lovely beaches along the way too, including six Blue Flag beaches (around 14% or so of the total for all of Wales, in a pleasing bit of symmetry).

These are beaches that are packed with variety too – from sandy beaches to rocky shores, and from sheltered coves to breezy water sports areas, each one has its own character. But which is the one for you? Check out our guide to seven of Anglesey’s best beaches – each picked with a different day out in mind.

Benllech Beach

The one for family days out

If you’re after a family-friendly beach day, Benllech is the one for you. This stretch of golden sand on the east coast has safe, clear waters for paddling (and lifeguards on duty in summer), a café, toilets, a nearby car park with decent pushchair access: essentially a good clutch of the amenities that make life easy when you’ve got kids in tow.

The other thing you need for a kid-friendly day out is things to do, of course – and Benllech’s got plenty of those. There’s a huge stretch of golden sand here for sandcastle building and playing games, and at low tide you’ll have the added attraction of rock pools to poke around in. 

Because it’s quite sheltered and shallow, Benllech’s also a good place to launch canoes, paddleboards or small boats if you have them. If you prefer to keep your activities land-based, take a walk to nearby Red Wharf Bay to mix up your seaside scenic views.

Pick one of our best Anglesey campsites as a base for your tour of the island’s beaches.

Rhosneigr beach

The one where doggy comes too

Anglesey has several beaches that welcome dogs all year round, but Rhosneigr is perhaps the pick of the bunch. There are actually two beaches here, so there’s plenty of space for ball-throwing, splashing in the shallows and scampering about in the sand dunes. Particularly energetic mutts and their minders can extend their walk with a stroll along the boardwalk by Llyn Maelog, the lake behind the village.

Even without a dog, Rhosneigr’s worth a visit – especially if you’re touring by train. The village has its own station with services to Holyhead and North Wales coastal towns including Llandudno and Bangor (and in fact, all the way to Manchester and Birmingham).

Have a look for campsites near Rhosneigr.

Newborough beach

The one for a little romance

Newborough’s setting could hardly be more stunning – this long sandy stretch (also known as Llanddwyn beach)  has a pine forest on one side and the sea on the other, with spectacular views out over the peaks of Snowdonia. The forest trails make just the place for a peaceful hand-in-hand stroll before settling on the sands to gaze out at the scenery. (And on a more mundane but important note, there’s a good-sized car park so hopefully you can skip any parking-related arguments…)

The highlight here, however, is not in fact the beach (lovely though it is…) – it’s the narrow peninsula known as Llanddwyn Island, where you can walk out to see the pretty white lighthouse and the remnants of a 16th-century chapel. And this is where the romantic element comes to the fore: the chapel (and the peninsula, and the beach) is dedicated to St Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of lovers. So if ever there was a beach to visit with your beloved, it’s probably this one…

A trip to Llanddwyn should be on the schedule for all visitors – for other ideas for days out, have a look at our pick of the top things to do in Anglesey.

Traeth yr Ora

The one for a bit of alone time

At the other end of the spectrum is this gorgeous sweep of sand and shingle up at the island’s northern end near Moelfre. If you’re looking for a bit of solitude – perhaps somewhere to take a quiet walk while gazing out to sea, this could well be the place for you.

It’s a little bit of an effort to get to Traeth yr Ora – it’s pretty far from the Menai Strait and the A55 expressway, and then even when you’ve parked (somewhere around Lligwy) it’s a further mile along the Anglesey Coastal Path to get to your destination. All this means that you’re unlikely to have all that much company once you get there – although if you do want signs of life, look out to sea to see if you can spot dolphins or porpoises.

Pick a campsite near Moelfre for your seaside strolls.

Trearddur Bay

The one for watersports

It’s all about the activity at Trearddur Bay, on the Holy Island peninsula close to Holyhead. There’s heaps of sandy space for things like ball games, and the presence of lifeguards and a protected swimming area also make this a great beach for getting into the water. 

Trearddur Bay’s sheltered location means that it’s also a popular spot for things like kayaking, bodyboarding and windsurfing, and the gorgeous clear waters also lend themselves to scuba diving (check out local dive centres and watersports centres for a hand in organising such outings if you’re not confident going it alone).

While it’s the water-based antics most folk come here for, some visitors may also be pleased to hear that there’s also a golf course just behind the beach (so you may be able to slope off to play a round while everyone else is kept entertained on the sand…)

Get to Trearddur Bay easily from a campsite near Holyhead.

Porth Wen beach

The one with a bit of history

For something completely different, make your way to the very top of the island and Porth Wen beach. There’s no car park here, no café and no soft sands – this is a craggy and often windswept spot that’s all about getting an insight into the island’s industrial past.

Porth Wen’s definitely one to file under ‘hidden gem’ – you’ll need to walk along the coast path to get here and then clamber down a bit of a steep pathway. The rewards are well worth it though, as you get to explore this truly atmospheric site, snapping pics of the chimneys and kilns of the crumbling brickworks, which closed down at the outbreak of World War I.  

There are all sorts of intriguing remnants of the past around here, so to find more have a look at our favourite Anglesey historic sites to visit.

Porth Swtan (Church Bay)

The one for a stroll and some seafood

If your idea of a good seaside day out involves a blast of fresh air followed by a good feed, you’ll do well out of a trip to Porth Swtan, on Church Bay up at the island’s northwest corner. There’s a fine stretch of sand, rock pools and pebble beach to take a walk on (although the beach is accessed down quite a steep path so it’s not for those who are unsteady on their feet) – with swimming and sailing both possible if you want to work up more of an appetite.

Then when you’re ready to eat, either take a table at the Church Bay Inn or settle in for a seafood feast at the Lobster Pot – the lobster is, of course, the top pick here, but there are plenty of other options including local shellfish and steaks. Both have splendid sea-facing outdoor areas, so whichever one you pick you’ll be in for a meal with a view.

Keen to spend some more time in the open air while you’re here? Check out our guide to some of the best walks in Anglesey for some inspiration.