Great beaches in Snowdonia
Enjoy Our Spectacular Coastline
Maybe the beach isn't the first thing that you think of when coming to Snowdonia but as the tag line says Snowdonia is "mountains AND coast".
Our coastline has something for everybody no matter what you're looking for. A family style "bucket & spade" type holiday, a winter walk along a deserted beach, somewhere for your dog to run, a cliff top walk, a fishing day, a naturalist beach, wildlife spotting, boat trips, somewhere with a view for a car picnic and more. Ask us for suggestions.
Pen Llŷn a’r Sarnau SAC - a Very Special Area
The area of coast from the Llŷn peninsula down to just north of Aberystwyth has been designated a Special Area of Conservation. This is due to the variety of underwater landscapes and the abundance of sea life, including basking sharks, dolphins and porpoises, leather back turtles, seals and lots more. Find out more HERE. Believe it or not the largest turtle in the World was washed up on the beach at Harlech in 1988. It was almost 3m (9ft) in length. They follow the jellyfish (a favourite food) across the Atlantic and are regularly seen further of the beach. See details of this turtle HERE
Wales Coast Path
Check out the website and app for the Wales Coast Path for details of beaches, tide times, access points and lots more. More details HERE
Are you looking for a dog friendly beach? Lots of our local beaches in Snowdonia have dog friendly areas all year round. There is lots of information HERE
The Nearest Beaches To Cadair View Lodge
Black Rock Sands (aka Morfa Bychan)
(about 30 minutes drive from Cadair View Lodge)
Very large drive-on, sandy beach (fee payable for parking in season). Be aware of incoming tide - lots of gullies and fast moving currents. Good beach for body boarding. Views across to Harlech and beyond. Facilities are limited. Take the turning by Original Factory Store in Porthmadog and follow road. After the golf club take a left turn down to the beach.
Barmouth Beach
(less than 30 minutes drive from Cadair View Lodge accommodation)
A picturesque seaside resort. Backed by mountains and an old town. Was once a busy slate port on the Mawddach Estuary. Large sandy beach, even when the tide is in. Traditional seaside pastimes fun-fair, donkey rides, swing boats, fish and chips, bucket and spade shops, lifeboat station and a road train along the promenade (subject to season). Recently some nice gift and fancy goods shops have opened on the main street - well worth a look.
Llandanwg
(about 30 minutes drive from Cadair View Lodge)
Gently sloping sandy, beach with rock pools to explore. Backed by sand-dunes. Accessed by short walk across sand dunes. Also visit St Tanwg's Church, nestling in the dunes. Founded in the early 5th Century with links to St Patrick. Candle-lit services are still held there. Car park, toilets. Cafe Maes is well worth a visit.
Shell Island
(about 30 minutes drive from Cadair View Lodge)
Miles of flat, sandy beaches and sand dunes. Access via causeway which is underwater at high tide. Fee payable for vehicles to enter Island. Shells, rock pools and harbour. There's also a pub and cafe/restaurant but these may be seasonal. Possible to walk across at low tide. Take turning in the centre of Llanbedr. REMEMBER TO CHECK THE TIDES!