The Best Beaches Near St Davids, Pembrokeshire
If you’re planning a visit to St Davids, one of the biggest treats is having some of Pembrokeshire’s most beautiful coastline right on your doorstep.
From long sandy beaches and sheltered little coves to dramatic cliffs, rock pools and turquoise water, there is a beach for almost every kind of day.
And you don’t necessarily have to spend your holiday lying on the sand. Some of our favourite coastal places are just as enjoyable for a walk, a picnic, a spot of wildlife watching or simply sitting and enjoying the view.
Here are some of the beaches and coastal spots we think are well worth discovering during your stay at Ramsey House.
1. Whitesands Bay
If you only have time to visit one of the beaches around St Davids, Whitesands is an obvious choice.
This beautiful sweep of golden sand is backed by dramatic hills and surrounded by the rugged coastline of St Davids Head.
On a sunny day, it is spectacular.
Whitesands is particularly popular with families and surfers, but it is also a wonderful starting point for a coastal walk. Follow the Coast Path towards St Davids Head and you’ll quickly leave the busier part of the beach behind.
Look out towards the headland and you may also spot seabirds wheeling over the cliffs.
Our tip: Don’t just visit Whitesands in the middle of a summer afternoon. Early morning or later in the day can be particularly beautiful, when the beach feels much quieter and the light changes across the bay.
2. Caerfai Bay
Caerfai is much smaller than Whitesands but has a character all of its own.
The beach is tucked beneath colourful cliffs just south of St Davids and is particularly beautiful when the tide is out.
It’s a lovely place to explore the shoreline, paddle in the shallows or simply sit and watch the sea.
The cliffs around Caerfai are also geologically fascinating, with their distinctive layers and colours providing a reminder of just how ancient this coastline is.
And because Caerfai is so close to St Davids, it is easy to combine a visit with a walk into the city.
Our tip: Check the tide times before you go. The character of the beach changes considerably as the tide comes in.
3. Porthclais
Porthclais isn’t really a traditional sandy beach — and that’s exactly why we love it.
This tiny harbour lies in a wonderfully sheltered inlet just a short distance from St Davids.
The remains of the old lime kilns and harbour structures give the place a fascinating sense of history, while the surrounding cliffs make it feel wonderfully wild.
It is also a lovely place to begin or end a Coast Path walk.
If you’re staying at Ramsey House and enjoy exploring on foot, Porthclais is definitely one to put on your list.
Our tip: Bring your camera. Porthclais is particularly photogenic when the light catches the water inside the harbour.
4. Porthmelgan
If you’re looking for something a little more secluded, Porthmelgan is worth discovering.
This small sandy cove lies along the coast between St Davids Head and Whitesands.
There is no easy road access, which means reaching it involves walking — but that is part of its appeal.
For walkers, it makes a lovely destination or stopping point while exploring this stretch of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path.
It is the sort of place where you can feel wonderfully removed from the rest of the world.
Our tip: Wear proper footwear and check the tide before setting out. This is one to enjoy as part of your coastal adventure rather than a quick drive-to beach.
5. Abereiddy Beach & the Blue Lagoon
A little further along the coast, Abereiddi is one of those places that feels almost unreal.
The small beach is backed by dark cliffs and leads towards the famous Blue Lagoon — a flooded former slate quarry whose deep blue-green water contrasts dramatically with the surrounding rocks.
The lagoon is one of Pembrokeshire’s most recognisable coastal sights and makes a fantastic addition to a day exploring the northern St Davids peninsula.
The area is also steeped in the history of Pembrokeshire’s slate industry.
Our tip: Don’t rush. Walk beyond the beach and explore the coastline around the lagoon. The views are every bit as impressive as the lagoon itself.
6. Solva Harbour
Solva isn’t one of the area’s classic open sandy beaches, but it deserves a mention because it makes such a lovely coastal outing from St Davids.
The village sits around a narrow, sheltered harbour surrounded by steep green hills.
You can wander around the harbour, stop for something to eat, explore the village and continue along the Coast Path.
For a change from the more exposed beaches around St Davids, Solva offers a completely different coastal atmosphere.
Which beach is best?
That depends on what you’re looking for.
For a classic sandy beach: Whitesands
For a smaller, colourful cove: Caerfai
For history and harbour views: Porthclais
For a quieter coastal adventure: Porthmelgan
For dramatic scenery: Abereiddi and the Blue Lagoon
For a relaxed harbour day: Solva
Beaches are only part of the St Davids coastline
One of the things we love most about staying in St Davids is that the coastline isn’t simply about beaches.
Some of the most memorable moments can come from standing on a cliff watching waves crash against the rocks, spotting seals below the Coast Path, finding a quiet cove or sitting with a coffee while the tide comes in.
The Pembrokeshire Coast Path gives you the opportunity to experience all of this at your own pace.
Staying in St Davids
And if you enjoyed our guide to the best short walks from St Davids, many of these beaches and coastal spots can be incorporated into your walks.
At Ramsey House, we’re lucky enough to have this extraordinary coastline close by.
After a day exploring beaches, coves and the Coast Path, it’s rather nice to come back to somewhere peaceful, put your feet up and enjoy a good night’s sleep.
And in the morning, there’s breakfast waiting for you.
If you’re planning a coastal escape to St Davids, we’d love to welcome you to Ramsey House Boutique B&B.
Come for the beaches. Stay for St Davids.