Guide to Newport Beach in Pembrokeshire

Beaches, Coastal, Days out

Posted by Stephane Lawes on 11th June 2024

Newport Beach, Pembrokeshire on a sunny day surrounded by green fields

Nestled at the mouth of the River Nevern in the glorious Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Newport Beach, Pembrokeshire offers a large, wonderful stretch of golden sand backed by rolling dunes and verdant countryside. 

Otherwise known as Newport Sands Beach, this peaceful stretch is perfect for traditional beach days, offering opportunities for water sports, wildlife watching and coastal walking. With the quiet seaside town of Newport nearby (not to be confused with the city of Newport), beachgoers are never far from a wide range of facilities, as well as restaurants, cafes, pubs and shops offering a warm, Welsh welcome.

Enhance your time at Newport Beach, Pembrokeshire, discovering other beaches nearby and exploring the surrounding walking trails by booking a stay in one of our holiday cottages nearby. Click the button below to explore our collection.

Holiday cottages in Newport, Pembrokeshire


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Things to do at Newport Beach

Newport Beach offers a broad, quiet stretch of soft sand, making it a great option for Welsh beachgoers hoping to avoid large crowds. Beyond a typical day on the beach, there’s plenty to see and do, from wildlife watching and water sports to a round of golf at one of Britain’s most scenic golf courses that sits above the beach.


Two children walk hand-in-hand along the beach with a bucket and spade

Enjoy a traditional beach day

Boasting a huge stretch of soft, golden sand backed by dunes and rolling countryside, Newport Beach, Pembrokeshire offers the perfect spot for a traditional beach day frolicking in the water and soaking in the sun. Whether you’re visiting with friends, family, as a couple or even with the dogs in tow, everyone is welcome to enjoy the coastal splendour on offer at Newport Beach. 

With plenty of parking available around the beach, access is easy out of season, but you may want to arrive earlier in the summer to secure a spot. With lifeguards patrolling through the high season, parents can rest easy knowing that little ones are safe in the shallows. And with plenty of facilities around the beach, beachgoers are never far from some refreshing food and drink.

Good to know

  • Facilities: Public toilets, disabled facilities, slipway, first aid point, beach cafe
  • Parking: Newport Sands Car Park (pay and display), Parrog Car Park (pay and display)
  • Lifeguards: Lifeguard patrols from the end of June to September
  • Stay nearby: Riverside Retreat, Newport | sleeps 4 + 2 dogs

A lady kayaking along the Pembrokeshire coastline on a sunny day

Water sports and rock pooling

Thanks to its shallow waters for beginners and challenging waves for more experienced paddlers, Newport Beach is a haven for water sports. The surrounding coastline also boasts hidden coves and caves, and varied wildlife that can only be appreciated from the water. Thanks to Kayak-King all this is made possible, no matter what your level of experience is. 

Based in neighbouring Fishguard, Kayak-King offers a range of tours that celebrate Pembrokeshire’s incredible coastline, including unique views of Newport Beach. With 2.5-hour tours available every morning and afternoon, visitors can look forward to paddling to 17th-century forts, rainbow-coloured caves, and towering rock formations, all while spotting seal colonies and seabirds.

If staying on your own two feet sounds more appealing, then you’ll be happy to hear that Newport Beach offers a large network of rock pools when the tide is out. With nets in hand, head down to the shallows to discover hidden ocean artefacts like jellyfish, starfish, crabs, dogfish and plenty more.

Good to know

  • Location: Kayak-King, Lower Town Fishguard Harbour, SA65 9ND
  • Opening times: 9am–5pm every day
  • Entry fee: £55 for a 2.5-hour kayak tour
  • Stay nearby: Ty Pinc, Fishguard | sleeps 4 + 1 dog

Newport Sands Golf Course on a sunny day overlooking Newport Bay and the Pembrokeshire coastline

Play 18 holes at Newport Sands Golf Course

If you’ve managed to sneak your golf clubs on holiday and spot the opportunity for 18 holes, then thanks to its proximity to Newport Beach, Newport Sands Golf Course is the perfect choice for you. Overlooking the beach and surrounding coastline, this is one of the most scenic golf courses in all of Britain and one that doesn’t require the whole day thanks to its nearby location. 

Almost 100 years old and boasting small greens and undulating fairways, with a gentle seaside breeze to contend with, a round here offers a memorable experience and one that you may fancy sharing with your loved ones – if you haven’t left them at the beach!

Good to know

  • Location: Golf Course Road, Newport, SA42 0NR
  • Opening times: 8:30am–4:30pm (Mon–Fri), 8:30am–5pm (Sat–Sun)
  • Entry fee: £38 for a round in the week, £47 for a round on the weekend
  • Stay nearby: Coastal Escape Cottage, Newport | sleeps 4 + 3 dogs

Food and drink near Newport Beach

If you’re sat on the soft sand of Newport Beach and suddenly realise that you forgot to pack a picnic, then worry not, there are several restaurants, cafes and pubs nearby that all offer a delicious pause to your beach day.


Morawelon Waterfront Bar and Restaurant near Newport Beach, PembrokeshirePhoto credit: Morawelon Waterfront Bar and Restaurant

Morawelon Waterfront Bar and Restaurant

Overlooking Newport Beach and the Pembrokeshire coastline, Morawelon Waterfront Bar and Restaurant is one of your closest options during a beach day in Newport, and a delightful one at that. 

This family-run eatery not only offers a warm welcome at the indoor and outdoor tables, but also boasts a fish and chip shop-style takeaway service, meaning you can take your crispy local fare back to the beach. 

Choose from battered seafood delights like cod, scampi and whitebait, tackle a towering burger in a sourdough bun, or opt for something lighter from the smaller plates or children’s menu.

Good to know

  • Location: Parrog Road, Newport, SA42 0RW
  • Why not try? North Atlantic battered cod and chips
  • Stay nearby: Bwthyn Trefdraeth, Newport | sleeps 4

Cat Rock Cafe on the edge of Newport Beach, Pembrokeshire on a sunny dayPhoto credit: Cat Rock Cafe

Cat Rock Cafe

Just a 3-minute walk from the sands of Newport Beach, Cat Rock Cafe is another nearby foodie option offering easy access, excellent food and drink, and even better views. Set within Newport Links Golf Club but welcoming beachgoers, passers-by and even four-legged friends, this independent cafe is a wonderful spot to break up your beach day. 

Visit in the morning for a simple teacake or a more wholesome full Welsh breakfast, using meat from the local butcher. Later in the day, choose from a wide range of Cat Rock burgers, dirty fries, sandwiches and salads.

Good to know

  • Location: Golf Course Road, Newport, SA42 0NR
  • Why not try? Cat Rock cheese and bacon burger with skin-on fries
  • Stay nearby: Riverside Rest 2, Newport | sleeps 4 + 2 dogs

The Castle Inn pub near Newport Beach, Pembrokeshire on a sunny eveningPhoto credit: The Castle Inn

The Castle Inn

Set in the heart of Newport, The Castle Inn is a traditional Welsh pub that invites everyone, including dogs, to enjoy their warm hospitality and locally sourced fare. Just half a mile away from Newport Beach, this is a lovely, traditional spot to enjoy a pint and some classic pub grub during your day on the sand. 

Beyond the wide choice of refreshing drinks, foodies here can choose from lighter starters and nibbles, classic pub dishes, homemade burgers, stone-baked pizzas and fresh sandwiches. If you’re passing in the morning, kickstart your day with a Castle Breakfast, or with something lighter like a bowl of Castle Granola, or a bacon butty.

Good to know

  • Location: Bridge Street, Newport, SA42 0TB
  • Why not try? Trio of pork and leek sausages with wholegrain mustard mash
  • Stay nearby: Ael y Bryn, Newport | sleeps 6

Walks near Newport Beach

Newport Beach is the starting point for several stunning walks that celebrate Pembrokeshire’s natural beauty and varied wildlife. From shorter, family-friendly trails to day-long hikes perfect for experienced walkers, below are just some of our favourite routes around Newport Beach, Pembrokeshire.


The historic churchyard remains at Dinas Island near Newport Beach, Pembrokeshire

Dinas Island Circular

Known locally as Ynys Dinas, Dinas Island is a dramatic, verdant peninsula that stretches out into the Irish Sea and offers breathtaking views of the Pembrokeshire coastline and Newport Beach. Only 3.5 miles in length and not too difficult to traverse, this circular trail is a great way to step back and admire Newport and its shores in all their glory. 

This route leads walkers around a scenic lap of the peninsula, where local wildlife and historic churchyard remains await to be discovered. There’s a slight incline to start with before the peninsula’s terrain flattens out, meaning this is suitable for leisurely family walks.

Good to know

  • Distance: 3.5 miles
  • Difficulty: Moderate – incline to start with, followed by more level terrain
  • Walk details: Dinas Island Circular

The Pembrokeshire coastline from Parrog to Dinas Island on a cloudy afternoon

Parrog to Dinas Island Circular

If the Dinas Island Circular has left you wanting something a little more challenging, then this 9-mile, circular hike from Parrog to Dinas Island is the one for you. Starting in Parrog near Newport, walkers follow the beautiful Pembrokeshire Coast Path eastwards, passing rugged coves and breathtaking picnic spots before reaching the impressive Dinas Island peninsula. 

The route then leads walkers around a lap of the peninsula before circling back along the coast path to the start/finish point in Parrog. Although the coast path is rugged and winding, the terrain is fairly level until the brief incline up to Dinas Island, making this a suitable trail for most walkers.

Good to know


The beautiful Pembrokeshire coastline on a sunny day with crystal-clear waters

Newport to Saint Dogmaels

For experienced hikers with high fitness levels, the 14-mile route from Newport to the village of Saint Dogmaels is a great option. Heading northwards out of Newport, along the scenic Pembrokeshire coastline, over rolling hills and along the water’s edge, you'll find that there’s an abundance of wildlife and local history to be discovered along this trail. 

The terrain is steep in parts as you traverse the cliff tops, but the panoramic views are well worth the climb. To reward you, Saint Dogmaels offers a range of welcoming pubs and eateries, as well as a regular bus service back to Newport if you don’t fancy the 14-mile walk back!

Good to know

  • Distance: 14 miles
  • Difficulty: Hard – plenty of steep climbs as you traverse the cliff tops
  • Walk details: Newport to Saint Dogmaels

Newport Beach for dogs

If you’re planning on bringing Fido along with you to Newport Beach, then you’ll be happy to hear that this glorious stretch of sand in Pembrokeshire welcomes dogs all year round. 


A dog walking in the shallows at Newport Beach, Pembrokeshire

Newport Beach dog restrictions

There are no dog restrictions at Newport Beach, but as always, dog owners are asked to clean up after their furry friends.

With a slipway leading onto the beach, older dogs are catered for, while younger pups with bags of energy will find seemingly endless space to run wild, as well as rock pools to explore and sand dunes to dig into.


Other beaches near Newport

If the vast, golden sands of Newport Beach have left you wanting more beach days in this corner of Pembrokeshire, then you’ll be happy to hear that within just 5 miles are several more beaches offering just as much seaside splendour and water-based activities.


The view from Parrog Beach near Newport in Pembrokeshire on a sunny day

Parrog Beach

Less than a mile from Newport is Parrog Beach, a scenic stretch of sand and mud overlooking the mouth of the River Nevern and Newport Beach across the water. Doubling up as Newport’s harbour, this is not so much the spot for a sandy beach day, but a wonderful, dog-friendly stretch perfect for walking.

With Newport’s facilities nearby, it’s easy to step off the beach for a spot of lunch, and with great access to the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, you can easily plan a beachy pause during your next hike.

Good to know

  • Facilities: Public toilets, disabled facilities, first aid point, slipway, town centre nearby
  • Parking: Parrog Car Park (pay and display)
  • Lifeguards: No lifeguard patrols
  • Stay nearby: Riverside Rest 2, Newport | sleeps 4 + 2 dogs
  • Beach info: Parrog Beach

Two ladies and a dog sitting at Aberfforest Beach in Pembrokeshire on a cloudy day

Aberfforest Beach

Just 2 miles down the coast from Newport, the sheltered sand and shingle of Aberfforest Beach presents a more rugged, quieter option for a local beach day. With grassy headlands protecting the beach on either side, the waters are calm, making this beach ideal for any wild swimmers, paddleboarders and kayakers. 

For more adventures around this dog-friendly beach, walkers will love the rolling fields that lead to a scenic river valley and a cascading waterfall nearby, as well as the Pembrokeshire Coast Path that passes through.

Good to know

  • Facilities: Slipway/boat launch
  • Parking: No parking
  • Lifeguards: No lifeguard patrols
  • Stay nearby: Min-Y-Ffordd, Fishguard | sleeps 6 + 1 dog
  • Beach info: Aberfforest Beach

Small boats perched on the sand at Pwllgwaelod Beach in Pembrokeshire on a sunny day

Pwllgwaelod Beach

The soft sand and rocky outcrops of Pwllgwaelod Beach sit 3.5 miles away from Newport, sheltered by the impressive Dinas Island that overlooks the beach. Encircled by cliffs, its waters are somewhat protected by the wind, meaning swimming and water sports are on the cards. 

With dogs allowed to roam the beach all year round, this is another great spot for Fido to stretch his legs and play in the water, making for an ideal break during a hike along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path which passes by.

Good to know

  • Facilities: Public toilets, picnic benches, pub, slipway/boat launch
  • Parking: Small car park at the beachhead and by the pub
  • Lifeguards: No lifeguard patrols
  • Stay nearby: Ropeyard Cottage, Fishguard | sleeps 4
  • Beach info: Pwllgwaelod Beach

Newport Beach map

To help you navigate through our favourite things to do, places to eat and trails to walk around Newport Beach, Pembrokeshire, as well as discover other beaches nearby, explore our map below.

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Holiday cottages in Newport, Pembrokeshire

With so much seaside fun to be had at Newport Beach and the surrounding coastline, why not extend your time in Newport with a few nights in one of our holiday cottages nearby? Click the button below to start exploring our collection of properties.

Holiday cottages in Newport, Pembrokeshire

Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing, please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.