Best Family-Friendly Beaches in Pembrokeshire
Searching for the perfect family-friendly beach day? Look no further!
With 186-miles of beautiful Pembrokeshire Coast on our doorstep, you’re never too far from a new adventure.
When it comes to planning the perfect family seaside day out, we understand the need for ease, that's why we’ve put together a list of our favourites!
With a bucketful of Blue Flag beaches (10 in fact!), cosy coves, rock pools, quaint seaside towns, and restaurants aplenty; not to forget toilet facilities, changing areas and parking too, you’ll be spoilt for choice with places to explore!
Nolton Haven
Distance: 16.4 miles from Bluestone
Parking: Yes
Toilets: Yes (Mainers Inn)
Food: Yes
Why should we go?
Tucked away in the middle of Pembrokeshire’s idyllic west coast - just 2.5 miles from Newgale, and 3.5 miles from Broad Haven - Nolton Haven offers a quieter, yet no less spectacular day out for all the family.
Let your little explorers run free across the golden sands, search for sea glass in the stones, find crabs hidden amongst the rock pools, enjoy water sports during a calm high tide, and when it’s time to refuel, set up your picnic or pop into the Mariners Inn, for delicious cake and a light lunch. If you have some energy to spare after a busy day on the beach, follow the steps along the coastal path and view the beautiful cove from above!
*Keep your eyes peeled (and your cars at a low speed), as dozens of rabbits have made the fields around the Haven their home – lucky them!
Tenby
Distance: 10.2 miles from Bluestone
Parking: Yes
Toilets: Yes
Food: Yes (lots!)
Why should we go?
With four picturesque beaches (South, North, Harbour and Castle) and a charming town to explore, Tenby is the perfect family day out!
With a fun-filled arcade, ice cream shops aplenty, sweet shops, lick your lips fish and chips, an iconic lifeboat station, a lively harbour (with boat trips to Caldey Island!) and lots of impressive history, it’s no surprise that Tenby has become a fond favourite for holidaymakers.
*Under the harbour wall at Harbour Beach, the small and enclosed sand area makes for the perfect place for smaller children to splash freely!
WYLD
Distance: BASED FROM OUR 500-ACRE RESORT!
Why should we go?
Introduce your explorers to a world of adventure. With the expertise and support of our WYLD adventure guides, embrace the elements of the Pembrokeshire coast on an exciting expedition. Traverse across our golden coast, conquer the countryside on an electric mountain bike or discover secret waterways on a canoe (8+).
Let us organise your adventurous day out (so you don’t have too!).
Newgale
Distance: 18 Miles from Bluestone
Parking: Yes
Toilets: Yes
Food: Yes
Why should we go?
For wave breakers and kite flyers alike, Newgale is a fond favourite (and not just because of the large carpark availability!).
Nestled along Pembrokeshire’s west coast and enroute to the UK’s smallest city, St. David’s, Newgale comes to life in the warmer months with flag filled campsites and summertime giggles galore.
With a pebble bank that borders the impressive 2.5-mile beach, little splashers can adventure freely, with plenty of space to build sandcastle kingdoms too!
After an adventure filled day, refuel alfresco style at The Duke or tuck into something tasty from New Surf, Newgale’s very own surf shop.
*New to the surfing scene? New Surf also offer surf tuition, refresher training and board and wetsuit hire! What are you waiting for? Dive right in!
Little Haven
Distance: 15.6 miles from Bluestone
Parking: Yes
Toilets: Yes
Food: Yes
Why should we go?
Despite its name, this quaint fishing village has a LOT to offer. Quieter than its neighbouring beach (Broad Haven), Little Haven boasts irresistible charm and unspoilt beauty, with 3 pubs serving food (including menus for hungry little tummies), a café and a shop. A perfect day out for the wild child, the free child, the at-one-with-nature child. With rockpools and caves to explore, cliffs to climb, a stream for little splashers to enjoy and regular visits from curious seals, when the tide is low, Little Haven really does have it all!
* “The Point” is a must-do short walk up a small hill, with big views: a spectacular spot for a sunset.
Solva
Distance: 21 miles from Bluestone
Parking: Yes
Toilets: Yes
Food: Yes
Why should we go?
The pretty harbour village of Solva is nestled in a picturesque valley, just a five-minute drive from St David’s, and is split into two areas: Upper Solva and Lower Solva. Famous for its beautiful harbour, Solva attracts families all year round. With pubs, cafes, and quirky shops aplenty - not to mention the world famous Mamgu Welshcakes Café - you and your little ones will not go hungry!
Grab your crab nets and buckets and make your way to the harbour, for one of Solva’s most popular family fun activities, with thousands of crabs to be found (make sure to handle the crabs with care and return safely to the water). If your little explorers are feeling more adventurous, the calm waters in the harbour are perfect for kayaking, paddle boarding and swimming. There’s even a play park situated conveniently next to the car park! So, if fun, adventure, food, water sports, crabbing, shopping, and playing is your and your little one's idea of a perfect day out, Solva is a must-do.
*Parking can be limited at peak times in the main and popular lower village, but there is ample parking in the Upper area. You can park for free for half an hour in the main, lower car park, but you must obtain a ticket from the machine.
Freshwater West
Distance: 18.6 miles from Bluestone
Parking: Yes (limited)
Toilets: Yes
Food: No
Why should we go?
Perfect for earlier-risers and picnic-packers!
Surfers and Potterhead’s alike flock to Freshwater West, a popular site for fans of the Harry Potter franchise due to its iconic Shell Cottage* set from The Deathly Hallows film. Within the famous sand dunes, a memorial of socks has been made in appreciation of the beloved house elf, Dobby, making it a must-visit destination for all fans of the Wizarding World!
*Please note, the set is no longer at the beach!
Blue Lagoon Water Park
Distance: BASED FROM OUR 500-ACRE RESORT!
Toilets: Yes
Parking: Buggy Parking
Food: Explore our dining options HERE!
Why should we go?
Gather your loved ones - no need to venture far!
The whole family will be entertained for hours at our Subtropical Water Park. With family changing rooms, lockers to store personal belongings, a spectator area (perfect for book worms!), and a shop for last minute needs, the Blue Lagoon puts ease into family-fun.
At Nippers Cove, an area dedicated to little splashers and water babies, curious minds can enjoy the safety of the shallow water, paddle around in the rockpools or test their confidence on the mini slide. Older children can endure buckets of fun with flumes, a lazy river and a wave pool to enjoy! For the big people, relax and unwind at our outdoor spa pools or grace along the lazy river.
After a morning full of adventure, refuel at the NRG Lab in the HIVE for a tasty breakfast for everyone to enjoy.
Saundersfoot
Distance: 8.7 miles from Bluestone
Parking: Yes
Toilets: Yes
Food: Yes
Why should we go?
The popular seaside village of Saundersfoot, just three miles from Tenby, offers the perfect day out for families all year round! With its big blue flag beach, ample parking, toilets, quirky independent shops, and plenty of food outlets, Saundersfoot, although compact, is extremely accessible for families – with parking situated right next to the beach, little legs won’t have to walk far!
If your little explorers love pirates, Vikings, adventure, and boats, then the harbour itself offers unique experiences that will ignite their imaginations. Opened in 2023, the Coastal Schooner (the large pirate-like ship) is a must-visit. Delve below deck, which houses an International Coastal Centre, looking at the maritime history of the area, including explorers, pirates and smugglers. Up on deck, big kids will soon be able to test their metal, by climbing the masts on a high rope course, due to open summer 2023!
Enjoy the hustle and bustle of Saundersfoot all year round. With exciting family-friendly events, including Saundersfest, annual boat racing and the big New Year swim! Whether you are planning a summer holiday or a winter getaway, Saundersfoot has something for every season and for every budget.