Rolling green hills combine with shallow, crystal-clear waters and a wide stretch of golden sand at Saundersfoot Beach, one of many across the glorious Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Backed by the popular resort of Saundersfoot and its bustling harbour, this is a great spot for a family beach day with easy access to the village’s facilities and attractions.
Of all the beaches in Wales, Saundersfoot stands out thanks to its impressive list of accolades, namely the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards where the beach was featured in the top three most sustainable in the world.
Learn all about the best things to do at Saundersfoot Beach, as well as our favourite places to eat, the most scenic walking routes and other beaches nearby. You can also start planning your Saundersfoot getaway today by exploring our collection of self-catering holiday cottages nearby.
Holiday cottages in Saundersfoot
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Saundersfoot Beach FAQs
Yes, there is plenty of parking at Saundersfoot Beach, starting with the 200-space Harbour Car Park next to the beach which requires pay and display. There is also a 250-space pay and display car park at Coppet Hall Beach. If you get lucky, you may find some free roadside parking near the beach and in the village.
Yes, dogs are allowed at Saundersfoot Beach, but there are some restrictions. There is a seasonal dog ban between 1 May and 30 September on the southern half of the beach, and dogs must also be kept on the lead around the harbour through the summer.
Set right in front of Saundersfoot village, there are plenty of facilities around the beach. You will find public toilets, a first aid point, boat mooring, water sports equipment hire, and a wide choice of gift shops, ice cream stalls, beach cafes, pubs and restaurants.
Yes, Saundersfoot Beach is accessible thanks to its wide and flat stretch of soft sand at low tide, and plenty of space remaining at high tide. There are also disabled toilets available, as well as a slipway leading onto the beach.
Yes, Saundersfoot Beach is great for swimming thanks to the wide stretch of sand and shallow waters. There are also RNLI lifeguards on patrol every day from 10am–6pm between 15 June and 1 September.
The Saundersfoot New Year's Day Swim is one of the biggest events of the year at Saundersfoot Beach, with over 2,000 swimmers taking the plunge in front of crowds of up to 9,000 people.
The meeting point is at the southern end of the beach, near the harbour, and the event runs from 12.30pm–1.30pm on 1 January each year.
Things to do at Saundersfoot Beach
With plenty of space and soft sand on the beach, as well as a bustling resort and marina nearby, there is no end to the opportunity for adventure and excitement at Saundersfoot Beach. Below are some of our favourite activities.
Paddleboarding and equipment hire
Of all the things to do in Pembrokeshire, paddleboarding is certainly up there thanks to the region’s fantastic waters and equipment hire facilities – and that is definitely the case for Saundersfoot Beach.
Good Trails is one of Pembrokeshire’s very best paddleboard schools and has gained the stamp from the Water Skills Academy (WSA), ensuring their commitment to providing high-quality paddleboarding experiences. With qualified SUP instructors, they’ve got all the expertise you need to hit the water and make the most of Pembrokeshire’s glistening sea.
Found at Coppet Hall Beach, Good Trails is easy to reach from Saundersfoot Beach and offers private and group paddleboard lessons for all abilities, as well as bike hire, kayak tours, megaboard hire and much more.
Good to know
- Location: Coppet Hall Beach Centre, Saundersfoot SA69 9AJ
- Opening times: 9am–6pm every day in July and August, 11am–4pm every day in September, see the website for off-season hours
- Prices: 1.5-hour paddleboard sessions start at £30; paddleboard hire starts at £12 for 1 hour
- Stay nearby: Strandways Court, Saundersfoot | sleeps 2
Discover Saundersfoot Harbour
As if there wasn’t enough fun to be had on the village’s sandy beach, nearby Saundersfoot Harbour is a hub of hidden gems buzzing with maritime stories of the past, opportunities for water sports, children's activities, places to eat and plenty more.
Nestled at the southern end of Saundersfoot Beach, the vibrant harbour is a great place to pass an afternoon under the sun. We recommend a visit to the Welcome and Heritage Centre to uncover the village’s significance in Pembrokeshire’s coal industry – you can even board an old Schooner that transported the coal and climb its rigging.
You will also find various day boats and safari cruises sailing from the harbour, as well as opportunities for fishing and crabbing, coasteering and kayaking.
Good to know
- Location: The Harbour, Saundersfoot SA69 9HE
- Opening times: Open all day, all year round
- Prices: Free entry
- Stay nearby: Cartref, Saundersfoot | sleeps 7
Saundersfoot Sea Safari
The Pembrokeshire coast’s dramatic scenery, calm waters and rich wildlife combine to offer a haven for boat trips, so visitors to Saundersfoot Beach will be delighted to learn that Saundersfoot Sea Safari is ready and waiting to whisk you out to sea.
Based at the village’s busy harbour, family-run Saundersfoot Sea Safari offers wildlife and historical cruises in all directions, where haunting castle and monastery remains await, and seal colonies, wild birds, porpoises and even dolphins roam.
As well as a 90-minute sunset cruise, the team offers a full boat charter, including a skipper and crew, meaning you can plan your own ocean adventure.
Good to know
- Location: The Harbour, Saundersfoot SA69 9HE
- Opening times: 9am–6pm every day
- Prices: 90-minute cruises start at £20 per person
- Stay nearby: Lexden, Saundersfoot | sleeps 9
Saundersfoot Beach Clean
We love Saundersfoot Beach and have partnered with the 2 Minute Foundation to do the right thing in looking after our local towns and villages whilst protecting the environment.
The foundation has supplied us with litter-picking stations that include litter pickers and reusable sacks, as well as information on what to do with the litter. The Saundersfoot station can be found at the top of the slipway and will raise awareness of litter and plastic pollution, along with giving people the tools to help keep the beach and village tidy.
Help make a difference when on holiday – grab a bag and a litter picker and see what you can discover!
Good to know
- Location: The Harbour, Saundersfoot SA69 9HE
- Opening times: Open all day, all year round
- Prices: Free entry
- Stay nearby: Sandpiper Cottage, Saundersfoot | sleeps 6
Food and drink at Saundersfoot Beach
Saundersfoot Beach is one of the most popular sandy spots in Wales, meaning visitors are spoiled for places to eat. From seafood restaurants to gastro pubs and vibrant cafes, below are three of our favourite eateries nearby.
Image credit: The Boathouse, Saundersfoot (both images)
The Boathouse
Just metres from the sands’ edge, The Boathouse is perfectly placed for a pause during your sun-soaked beach day in Saundersfoot. This vibrant eatery boasts an exciting menu of dishes from the ocean and fields around.
Enjoy lighter bites like bruschetta, loaded ciabattas and dirty fries, or sit down for a more formal, three-course affair, kickstarting with a starter like loaded nachos before moving onto beer-battered fish and chips or a towering gourmet burger from the grill. The dessert menu impresses, and little ones will love the choice from the children’s menu.
Good to know
- Location: Cambrian Place, Saundersfoot SA69 9ER
- Why not try? Carbonara dirty fries topped with crispy fried chicken
- Stay nearby: Petrel Apartment, Saundersfoot | sleeps 2
The Captain’s Table
Even closer to the beach, The Captain’s Table is a perfectly relaxed and family-friendly pub for a beach day refuel. With a chilled-out beer garden and a welcoming interior where live music is popular, diners here have a fine choice of local beers and dishes.
Choose from delights like crispy calamari, roasted haddock fillet, and scampi and chips. The grill menu boasts steaks of all cuts, as well as impressive burgers, while a stone-baked pizza menu is sure to be a hit with the kids.
Good to know
- Location: The Harbour, Saundersfoot SA69 9HE
- Why not try? Traditional fish and chips in homemade beer batter
- Stay nearby:The Boathouse, Saundersfoot | sleeps 4
Image credit: The Stone Crab, Saundersfoot (both images)
The Stone Crab
No trip to Pembrokeshire’s coast is complete without sampling the region’s famous seafood, and a visit to the Stone Crab in Saundersfoot is your perfect chance to do just this. Set on the bustling village harbour with indoor and outdoor seating offering views over the surrounding waters, this is a wonderful venue for a memorable holiday meal.
The award-winning menu impresses with ocean gems like seafood sharing platters, surf and turf dishes, Saundersfoot crab, and seafood curry. Meat eaters will enjoy the flat iron steaks, while little ones have a great choice from the children’s menu.
Good to know
- Location: The Harbour, Saundersfoot SA69 9HE
- Why not try? Catalan monkfish and chorizo stew with rustic bread
- Stay nearby: Manx Shearwater, Saundersfoot | sleeps 2 + 2 dogs
Walks near Saundersfoot Beach
Pembrokeshire is a paradise for walking, no doubt thanks to the twisting Pembrokeshire Coast Path that reveals sights of glistening waters, hidden coves and rolling fields. Below are just three of our favourite walks near Saundersfoot Beach.
Saundersfoot Beach to Monkstone Point
Set between Saundersfoot and popular Tenby, Monkstone Point is a wild and remote outcrop of Pembrokeshire where a lesser-known beach awaits and rich coastal wildlife thrives.
This 3.2-mile out-and-back walk from Saundersfoot Beach offers ramblers the chance to discover the region for themselves, with the added bonus of panoramic ocean views and picnic spots galore.
The trail leads out of the village before following the tree-lined Pembrokeshire Coast Path which hugs the sand and opens to the turnback point at Monkstone Point. Here, take a moment to relax on golden Monkstone Beach which looks out across Carmarthen Bay.
Good to know
- Distance: 3.2 miles (1 hour 40 minutes approx.)
- Difficulty: Moderate – some rougher sections in wet conditions
- Stay nearby: Oak Grove 32, Saundersfoot | sleeps 5
Wiseman's Bridge to North Beach
Discover four stunning Pembrokeshire beaches along this 5.4-mile walk from Wiseman’s Bridge, through Coppet Hall and Saundersfoot, and on to Tenby’s North Beach, where rolling hills, cliff-top views and panoramic vistas await.
This fast-track tour of the surrounding shores is a great way to learn about the local landscape which combines wildflower fields, meandering rivers, rich coastal wildlife and of course, golden beaches. Conquer the trail in one go or break up the adventure with a picnic on the sand or a seaside pint as you pass through Saundersfoot.
If you don’t fancy the walk back, then you can catch the 381 bus from the centre of Tenby back to Saundersfoot, a journey that should take under 30 minutes.
Good to know
- Distance: 5.4 miles (2 hours 40 minutes approx.)
- Difficulty: Moderate – varying terrain that can be slippery underfoot
- Stay nearby: 2 Mariners Reach, Saundersfoot | sleeps 6 + 2 dogs
Saundersfoot to Tenby Circular
If the coastal footpath from Saundersfoot to Tenby has left you craving a bigger challenge, then this 8-mile circular trail between the two resorts is the perfect option.
The first half of the walk follows the Pembrokeshire Coast Path to Tenby before cutting inland and leading ramblers back to Saundersfoot through open pastures, wildflower fields and woodlands – meaning you get to see the best of Pembrokeshire’s coast and countryside in one go.
Discover the breathtaking Monkstone Point along the way, as well as Monkstone Beach, Moonstone Beach and various rocky outcrops where cameras and picnic baskets should be at the ready.
Good to know
- Distance: 8 miles (4 hours approx.)
- Difficulty: Moderate – some steeper sections along the cliffs
- Stay nearby: Enfield House, Saundersfoot | sleeps 6 + 1 dog
Other beaches near Saundersfoot
There’s plenty of fun to be had at Saundersfoot Beach, but if you fancy discovering the other stretches of sand around you, we’ve featured three of our favourite beaches nearby, all of which are within 3 miles of Saundersfoot.
Coppet Hall Beach
Perched at the far end of Saundersfoot Beach and just half a mile from the village, Coppet Hall Beach offers a wide, flat area of soft sand with plenty of space to relax at both low and high tide. With family changing spaces, outdoor showers and plenty of rock pools to explore, this is a great spot for a family beach day.
At the eastern edge of the beach is the Kiosk Cafe which offers a lovely, scenic spot to enjoy freshly made food, ice creams and refreshments in case you forgot to pack a picnic.
Good to know
- Facilities: Wheelchair hire, WCs, family changing spaces, showers, beach café
- Dog restrictions: Seasonal dog restriction at the beach’s north end (1 May–30 September)
- Parking: Coppet Hall Beach Centre Car Park (pay and display)
- Stay nearby: Wren Cottage, Saundersfoot | sleeps 10
Wiseman's Bridge Beach
Just beyond Coppet Hall lies the rocky shores and pebble banks of Wiseman’s Bridge Beach, which presents a charming opportunity for a more rugged, adventurous beach day. There is soft sand to relax on, but the highlights of this beach are the old tramway tracks to Saundersfoot and the elevated seawall that reveals tunnels and disused mine entrances to discover.
Swimming is considered safe here, although there are no lifeguard patrols, so care should be taken with little ones. For a scenic spot of lunch, the Wiseman's Bridge Inn sits just metres from the beach and boasts outdoor seating with incredible views of the surrounding waters and coastline.
Good to know
- Facilities: Ramp access, WCs, cafe and restaurant
- Dog restrictions: No restrictions, dogs welcome all year round
- Parking: Limited, free roadside parking above the beach
- Stay nearby: No 2 Sea View, Wisemans Bridge | sleeps 8 + 1 dog
Amroth Beach
The half-mile-long Amroth Beach sits 3.5 miles east of Saundersfoot and offers a huge, flat expanse of sand where families flock for safe swimming and beach games. Make sure to grab your fishing nets before visiting, as a vast network of rock pools is revealed at low tide.
To make your beach day nice and easy, you’ll find plenty of amenities in the village of Amroth that hugs the sand. Here, enjoy food and drink in the Amroth Arms or The Smugglers Bar and Grill, and if you’re driving, make full use of the nearby Amroth Car Park.
Good to know
- Facilities: Ramp access, seasonal lifeguard patrols, WCs, disabled facilities, shop, café and kiosk
- Dog restrictions: Seasonal restriction from the centre to the western edge (1 May–30 September)
- Parking: Free parking next to the beach for up to 60 cars, roadside parking in Amroth village
- Stay nearby: Hafan Dawel, Stepaside | sleeps 10 + 3 dogs
Map of Saundersfoot Beach
Explore our map below to find all our favourite things to do at Saundersfoot Beach, including the best attractions, walking routes, places to eat, and other beaches nearby.
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Holiday cottages in Saundersfoot
With so much seaside fun to be had in this sun-soaked corner of Pembrokeshire, why not enhance your getaway by booking a few nights in one of our Saundersfoot holiday cottages? Click the button below to explore our collection and start planning your Welsh holiday today.
Holiday cottages in Saundersfoot