10 beautiful Swansea beaches

Base yourselves in Swansea Bay, Mumbles or Gower for a great choice of beautiful beaches within easy reach. Enjoy a family beach break, try watersports, or stretch your legs discovering some of the most impressive views on the Wales Coast Path.

Many of the beaches along the Wales Coast Path allow dogs all year round. There are several brilliant dog-friendly beaches on Gower, making it a wonderful place for a dog-friendly holiday whatever the time of year.

Here's a run down of 10 Swansea beaches to discover. For even more options, head to Visit Swansea Bay's Beach Guide.

Dog-friendly all year round, award-winning Rhossili Bay Beach on the Gower Peninsula is a stunner. Three miles of golden sands, clifftop walks, wildlife and amazing views, it's ideal for watersports and family days out. The beach is accessed by a steep path with steps.

Facilities include:

• A National Trust car park (charges apply) is 400m away
• Accessible public toilets, baby change and an outside shower available at the car park
• Nearest shops and cafes are in Rhossili village

Don't miss: the iconic Worms Head nearby, or the wreck 'Helvetia' visible on the beach.

Named after the three impressive limestone cliffs surrounding it, Three Cliffs Bay has plenty of sand dunes to explore and a winding stream running through the beach. It's perfect for walking and wildlife watching. You can even camp overlooking the beautiful bay at Three Cliffs Holiday Park.

Facilities include:

• Dog-friendly all year round
• Lifeguards on duty during main holiday season. Due to strong tides and currents it's not advisable to swim or do watersports here.
• Parking (charges apply) and toilets are 400m away at the Three Cliffs Holiday Park, or alternative parking near the Gower Heritage Centre.

Don't miss: Crossing the stream using the stepping stones.

On the southern coast of Gower, family-friendly Langland Bay has great access to the sand from the promenade for buggies and wheelchairs. Explore the rock pools or enjoy a bit of surfing. Overlooking the beach is Langland Bay Golf Course.

Facilities include:

• No dogs allowed on the beach May - end September
• Lifeguards on duty between May and end of August
• Pay and Display parking and toilets are available nearby

Don't miss: Watching one of the regular surfing competitions.

Known for being a top watersports destination and recognised twice as the UK Beach of the Year, Oxwich Bay has two and a half miles of beach, sand dunes and woodlands to explore.

Facilities include:

• Dog friendly year round
• Woodland walking trails at Oxwich National Nature Reserve
• Parking (charges apply) and toilets are available nearby

Don't miss: Try out Ty Sawna - a wood fired barrel sauna on the beach!

Mumbles' tiny beach is better for rock-pooling than sunbathing, but there's plenty do to in the area for all the family. Explore Mumbles village and the shops, or take a walk along the coast.

Facilities include:

• Dog friendly year round
• Toilets and parking (charges apply) available nearby
• Plenty of places to eat nearby

Don't miss: Traditional seaside fun at Mumbles Pier.

Easy to get to from Swansea city centre, Swansea Bay Beach is a wide expanse of sandy shoreline stretching for five miles around the bay. Plenty to do here - it's popular for watersports and relaxing by the sea. Or explore the Wales Coast Path towards Gower.

Facilities include:

• Dogs not allowed on the beach between 1st May and 30th September
• Accessible and Changing Places toilets available
• The beach is wheelchair and pushchair accessible, with a wide promenade and cycle path to explore the coast
• Easy to get to by public transport, parking (charges apply) available nearby

Don't miss: The Wales Airshow which takes place annually in July.

Secluded and tiny, with a steep path down to it, the sand on pretty Mewslade Beach only appears during low tide. Included in The Times list of Best Beaches, be sure to explore the rock pools and enjoy the amazing views. The tidal range makes it unsuitable for watersports.

Facilities include:

• Dog friendly year round
• Parking (charges apply) is 400m away over an uneven path
• No nearby loos or refreshment facilities

Don't miss: Wildlife spotting

A favourite with surfers, west-facing Llangennith Bay Beach adjoins Rhossili. The long beach is perfect for watersports, walks and running about. It's also one of the best places to learn to surf in Wales.

Facilities include:

• Dog friendly year round
• Parking, toilets and refreshments are around 200m away at local campsites, charges apply
• Surf lessons available

Don't miss: A walk to Ynys Lanwol (Burry Holms) island - check the tide times before you go though.

Caswell Bay Beach is another Gower beach popular with families and surfers. Well equipped for a family day out, there are shops selling beach equipment and cafés nearby. Surfability UK CIC offer surfing lessons tailored for people with additional needs.

Facilities include:

• Lifeguards on duty over Easter and between May and September
• Dogs not allowed on the beach between 1 May – 30 September
• Free floating beach wheelchair hire is available if booked in advance by calling 01792 635718 during office hours
• Toilets, including a Changing Rooms toilet, are available in the nearby car park (parking charges apply)

Part of Port Eynon Bay, Horton Beach is a wide, family-friendly sandy beach with plenty of space. It's a good spot for watersports, snorkelling, and fishing off the rocks.

Facilities include:

• Lifeguards on duty between May and September
• Dogs not allowed on the beach between 1 May – 30 September
• Car parking is available 100m from the beach (charges apply)
• Accessible toilets are available nearby

If you're after somewhere quieter to visit, Pwll Du Bay beach is only accessible using one of three footpaths. The sheltered, pebbly beach is at the end of a river valley, and does have sand at low tide. It's ideal for walking, fishing and relaxing.

Facilities include:

• Dog-friendly all year
• Nearest car parks are in Bishopston and Southgate
• No toilets, refreshments or lifeguards

Don't miss: The surrounding cliffs used to be quarried for limestone, so look out for the old workings.

Bracelet Bay is a small, rocky bay round the corner from Mumbles Pier. It's a beautiful spot for walking and exploring rock pools, with plenty of places to eat close by.

Facilities include:

• Dogs banned between 1 May – 30 September
• Car parking is available 200m from the beach (charges apply)
• Accessible toilets nearby

Don't miss: You can visit the lighthouse at low tide - be careful and check tide times before you head out.

The Welsh coast can be fantastic fun and provides great opportunities for adventurous activities, but please read up on the risks and make sure you are prepared.

• Follow these tips from the RNLI for staying safe on the Welsh coast.
• Visit AdventureSmart.uk for further information on how to stay safe whilst exploring Wales.

Please be a responsible dog walker and follow the Countryside Code and the Dog Walking Code. Diolch!