Morfa Nefyn beach & Porthdinllaen
Porthdinllaen bay contains a number of different stretches of beach. The main long stretch is called Traeth Morfa Nefyn, and the road down from the village meets this stretch roughly halfway along at a spot locally known as Bwlch (gap). The Cliffs sits above Bwlch and is about two thirds of the way day beach road. From Bwlch you can see across to Anglesey and Holyhead mountain. To your left you will see the beach curve round towards Porthdinllaen and the Ty Coch Inn, and further on a modern building, housing the largest lifeboat on mainland North Wales, and a lovely little cove known as Lifeboat Bay.
Dogs are not allowed to the right of Bwlch on Morfa Nefyn beach in the summer months. Dogs are allowed to the left all year round, as well as in Porthdinllaen and Lifeboat Bay
Parking: There is a small number of free parking spaces at the top of beach road, and during the winter months you can park on the side of the road near the bottom. In the summer this is banned, but there is a large National Trust car park about 100 yards further down the road. There is also a summer car park up by the golf club, but don’t make the mistake of parking in the members’ car park without permission as you will get an automatic fine.
Nefyn Beach
Often confused with Porthdinllaen bay as Traeth Nefyn also has houses at the west end (but no pub!). There is a café on the road just above the slipway, which is the main access point for the beach. Nefyn is a sandy beach and is a good one for children (of all ages) who like damming streams and the like.
Dogs are not allowed to the left of the slipway in the summer months. Dogs are allowed to the right all year round. There are dog waste bins on the slipway.
Parking: There are a dozen or so free parking spaces just above the slipway on the road down the beach (known as Screw Road – but for some reason those signs appear to have been removed), including three reserved for Blue Badge holders, making it one of the more accessible beaches around.
Other beaches on the Llyn within a easy drive
Porth Towyn, Tudweiliog – A collection of sandy coves and one slightly larger beach. Access is through a farm, called Towyn. Parking is available in one of the farm yards. There is a honesty box for payments. Dogs are not allowed on the larger beach to your left in the summer months but they are allowed in the smaller coves to the right. If you fancy a little retail therapy, or a bite to eat, the most surprising feature of Towyn is Cwt Tatws (Potato hut) which has grown from humble beginnings as a beach ware hut with an ice cream freezer into an impressive shop and café selling a mix of Welsh products (they have a great gin selection) and high-end clothes and homeware.
Penllech – A beautiful, sandy and generally very peaceful beach. It is a little off the beaten track which probably explains why it is not as busy as similar beaches. There is a free car park and the beach is dog friendly, but don’t expect any bins.
Porthor (also known as Whistling Sands) is a National Trust property with a corresponding car park. Dogs are not allowed in the summer months.
Aberdaron is right at the tip of the peninsula. There is a long sandy beach and the village centre is less than 100 yards from the beach. There are two popular pubs, an ancient café, and various other shops and seasonal businesses. There is a large National Trust trust car park right in the centre of the village, along with their visitors centre and local headquarters Porth y Swnt. The beach is dog friendly and there are bins. There is just one small stretch where dogs must be kept on a lead in the summer months.
Porth Neigwl (also known as Hell’s Mouth) is the largest beach in the area. It is popular with surfers when the wind is right. There is a small free car park about 200 metres from the beach. If that is full parking can become quite difficult. The beach is dog friendly, but don’t expect any bins.
Abersoch has a number of very attractive beaches, which is a significant part of this village’s great appeal to visitors. It is no joke that a beach hut on Abersoch main beach costs more than a house in most of Gwynedd. Parking in Abersoch can be challenging, but unless you going are on a glorious day in August, you can usually find a space in one of the various car parks. Facilities are plentiful and the beaches are all dog friendly. In the winter months, Abersoch is very quiet, but many of the shops and restaurants will be shut.
The Warren is a very exclusive holiday park. Although they don’t like to advertise the fact, the long sandy beach is open to all, and is dog friendly. You can pay to park near the main entrance, but you can access the beach more directly from either the layby parking near Fach Farm or from the Quarry Beach car park on Bolmynydd.
Llanbedrog is another beach with a large National Trust car park. The beach is dog friendly but dogs need to be on a lead on the stretch in front of the beach huts. There is a popular bar/café at the entrance to the beach. Llanbedrog is also home to Plas Glyn y Weddw, one of the oldest galleries in Wales. If you don’t mind the climb, you can wander up to see the Tin Man / Iron Man on the headland overlooking the bay.
Pwllheli is the one true town in the area and has two substantial beaches. The one by Plas Heli is usually sandy and tends to be the one set up camp on with their picnics. The one on “the front” is more exposed and tends to be more popular with walkers rather than sunbathers. You can park close to either and both are dog friendly and have bins.