Tenby Wales, Traveller Information

Famed for it's golden sands, donkey rides and stag parties, Tenby can also hold a decent wave...Although flat most of the year, Tenby South beach has been known to hold a classic wave on big swells during the depths of Winter.
It generally breaks wherever the banks are formed but in front of the cafe or down towards the old Napoleonic fort are normally the best spots. The water clarity here is poor in Winter due to a sewage pipe located out offshore of the beach so your board generally disappears from view as soon as you paddle out!

It's sheltered from howling westerlies and turns into a smoking barrel when the wind swings around to the North. It's best avoided at low tide as the wave breaks in very shallow water so you may well end up snapping your prized stick!

If you don't live locally then your chances of surfing this gem are slim as it's very fickle and is only rideable about twice a year in big swells!

In 2006, Tenby boasted three Blue Flag awards for it's clean beaches and Pembrokeshire had 11 Blue flag beaches making it one of the cleanest holiday destinations in Wales and the U.K.

As Pembrokeshire's main holiday resort, Tenby maintains a high standard for it's beaches, offering plenty of facilities and boasting various environmental awards. The four main bathing areas are summarised below.

South Beach

The South beach's 2 kilometres of golden sand spans the shoreline from St. Catherine's Island to Giltar Point. The beach is backed by sand dunes and looks out toward Caldey Island. The South Beach has won a Tidy Britain Group Seaside Award.

Facilities
South beach is less commercialised than North beach, but still boasts several shops and and hire facilities at the north end of the beach, plus toilets (with disabled access), and telephones in the nearby car park. Lifeguards operate daily (10am-6pm) throughout the summer.

Castle Beach
Castle Beach lies in the cove between Castle Hill and the East Cliff. At low tides it is possible to walk out to St. Catherine's island, but take care that the tide does not cut you off.

Facilities
Castle beach is only a short walk from town but the slipway sports a café, hire facility, deck chair rental and toilets. The beach is patrolled by a Lifeguard (10am-6pm) during the summer season and boat trips to Caldey Island run from the beach at low tide.

Harbour Beach
Harbour beach is a small yet picturesque beach found sheltered at the rear of the harbour bay. There are steps and paths back up to the town on either side of the beach, plus a raised walkway along the cliff base around to North beach.

Facilities
Harbour beach is minutes from the town centre, but provides toilets and food vending facilities as well as being home to the Sailing Club and the Fishermen's Chapel. Boat trips run from the harbour itself to Caldey island at high tide.

North Beach

Tenby North is a golden stretch of sandy beach, dotted with occasional rock pools and the prominent Goskar Rock itself. Situated between the harbour beach and the north cliffs, North beach is overlooked by a promenade and Tenby town itself. The beach offers great views over Carmathern Bay and is accessed by the north cliff steps or through the harbour. During the summer this beach is often crowded due to it's popularity and ease of access.

The beach holds an EC Blue Flag award and the water quality is excellent, complying with EC guideline standards. A dog ban is in effect on the beach from May to September.

Facilities
Directly above the beach is a shop, cafe, toilets, and various hire facilities, besides all of the general facilities offered by Tenby town itself. A lifeguard service operates in summer daily (10am-6pm) and there is a Tourist information Centre above the beach, along the promenade.