Heading to the beautiful town of Porthcawl for your next break? If so, then spending time at one of these Porthcawl beaches during your stay is a must-do!
Long considered to be one of the most popular seaside towns on the South Wales coast, Porthcawl draws in tourists and holidaymakers from all over the region and the rest of the country. With plenty to see and do here, the town also boasts many fantastic beaches for you to enjoy, many of which are recipients of the coveted Blue Flag Award.
Keep scrolling to uncover all the best beaches in Porthcawl…
Skip Ahead to:
• Sandy Bay Beach (Coney Beach)
• Newton Beach
• Pink Bay
• Rest Bay Beach
• Seafront Beach (Town Beach)
• Sker Beach
• Trecco Bay Beach
1. Sandy Bay Beach (Coney Beach)
This wide stretch of sandy beach is perfect for letting the kids (or dogs!) run wild. Gently sloping down towards the sea, it’s a popular haunt for surfers and swimmers. In the summer months, the waters are warm enough to enjoy a paddle in!
You might also see or hear Sandy Bay being referred to as ‘Coney Beach’ – but they’re both the same place. Set adjacent to the eastern promenade, its clean waters attract plenty of visitors to its shores. At low tide, there are rock pools aplenty waiting to be discovered.
Just a short walk from the many restaurants and amenities of the resort, it’s ideally positioned for a family day out. After you’ve had your fill of sun, sand, and sea, simply stroll back up to the promenade to refuel with a delicious tray of fish and chips.
Type of Beach: Sandy
Dog-Friendly: Restrictions in place from 30th April – 1st October
Parking: 7 Eastern Promenade Car Park
Parking Charge: Free
Postcode: CF36 5BT
Other Facilities: Lifeguards on patrol from April – September
2. Newton Beach
Just a ten-minute walk from the quaint village of Newton, Newton Beach is Porthcawl’s most easterly beach.
A combination of both sand and rock, it’s a popular spot with windsurfers, jet skiers and power boats. With miles of soft sand to stroll along, it’s great for taking the dogs out before returning to your cosy cottage or holiday park.
It’s usually a little quieter here than at the rest of the beaches, so if you prefer escaping the crowds, it’s definitely worth a visit.
Much like Sandy Bay, you can easily stroll back to the village of Newton to enjoy a drink or some traditional grub in the local pub.
Type of Beach: Sandy
Dog-Friendly: Yes (All year round)
Parking: Newton Beach Car Park
Parking Charge: Pay & Display
Postcode: CF36 5NH
Other Facilities: Lifeguards on patrol throughout the year
3. Pink Bay
Often considered to be the best-kept hidden gem when it comes to beaches in Porthcawl, Pink Bay gets its name from the marble-topped rocks that give off a pink hue in the evening sun. Found just a couple of miles west of the town centre, this Porthcawl beach backs onto the town’s golf course and makes for a wonderful place to escape the crowds.
Due to its remote location, you’ll often find more locals than tourists here. However, with that being said, one group of people this beach is particularly popular with is surfers due to its fantastic conditions. So, if you’re hoping to find a great spot to try out this tricky watersport for yourself, then heading here is a must-do!
Type of Beach: Pebble
Dog-Friendly: Yes (All year round)
Parking: Rest Bay Car Park
Parking Charge: Pay & Display
Postcode: CF36 3UP
Other Facilities: Rest Bay Café Bar next to the car park
4. Rest Bay Beach
A popular beach with locals and visitors alike, Rest Bay Beach offers miles of golden sands. Whether you’re planning on a day of complete relaxation or thinking about hitting the waves on a surfboard, there’s something to keep everyone entertained here. With plenty of cafés, bars, and shops lining the nearby promenade, you’re never too far away from a good lunch or a well-needed cold drink.
Type of Beach: Sandy
Dog-Friendly: Restrictions in place from May – September
Parking: Rest Bay Car Park
Parking Charge: Pay & Display
Postcode: CF36 3UP
Other Facilities: Lifeguards on patrol from 10am-6pm daily (end of May – September)
5. Seafront Beach (Town Beach)
Found in the heart of the town, Seafront Beach (or Town Beach) is one of the smallest beaches in Porthcawl. Here, you’ll find the main sea wall that defends the esplanade from high winds and storms, part of this beach was tarmacked over back in the 1980s when the flood defences were updated.
Despite this, it still makes for a great place to go for a wander. However, as the beach pretty much disappears at high tide, we’d highly recommend checking times before heading here. It’s also worth noting that swimming is also prohibited here due to the sharp rocks that sit beneath the waves. That being said, this beach is well worth visiting for the views, as on a clear day, you might even be able to spot the North Devon coast all the way across the Bristol Channel from here!
Type of Beach: Pebble
Dog-Friendly: Restrictions in place from 1st May – 30th September
Parking: Spaces available along the Esplanade
Parking Charge: Free (Restrictions apply)
Postcode: CF36 3YE
Other Facilities: Toilets available in the Grand Pavilion
6. Sker Beach
Stretching over two miles in length, Sker Beach is one of the longest beaches in Porthcawl and the furthest away from the town. However, despite its remote location, this exceptional beach is well worth trekking to if you have the time.
For this reason, you’ll often only find a handful of tourists here, with most visitors being locals and surfers. Backing onto a vast network of sand dunes, this Porthcawl beach is a fantastic place to escape the crowds and enjoy an afternoon basking in the sun. It’s also a great spot for sea swimming if you feel brave enough!
Type of Beach: Sandy & Pebble
Dog-Friendly: Yes (All year round)
Parking: Kenfig Car Park (CF33 4PS)
Parking Charge: Pay & Display
Postcode: CF33 4PT
Other Facilities: N/A
7. Trecco Bay Beach
Right next to the town’s main beach, you’ll find Trecco Bay, often regarded as one of the most popular surfing beaches in Wales and a great place to consider spending the day. With Trecco Bay Holiday Park backing onto it, it makes for a wonderful place to walk down to if you happen to be staying here for your next holiday.
However, it’s also easily reachable from the town itself, being only a 10-minute walk across Sandy Bay. As mentioned, you’ll likely find many surfers and stand-up paddleboarders here, as well as plenty of locals and tourists who flock here to enjoy its golden sands. With lifeguards on patrol throughout the summer months as well, it also makes for a great place to go swimming in the sea.
Type of Beach: Sandy
Dog-Friendly: Restrictions in place from 1st May – 30th September
Parking: 7 Eastern Promenade Car Park
Parking Charge: Free
Postcode: CF36 5DB
Other Facilities: N/A
If you’re feeling inspired, why not book a holiday cottage in Porthcawl for your next staycation? Alternatively, there are also plenty of other cottages in South Wales, including lots of coastal cottages that’ll put you right next to the beach!
Image Credits: Alan Hughes – (CC BY-SA 2.0); eswales – (CC BY-SA 2.0); KevinD – (CC BY 3.0); Trevor Rickard – (CC BY-SA 2.0); eswales – (CC BY-SA 2.0); Alan Hughes – (CC BY-SA 2.0)
