Newport Sands, Newport, Pembrokeshire.
Also known as Traeth Mawr or Big Beach.
This is the largest of the beaches at Newport, with almost a mile of flat sand stretching across the bay below Newport Sands Golf Course. During the summer there is a safe swimming zone manned by lifeguards from the Newport Sands Lifesaving Club.
There is ample space along the beach for all sorts of water based activities including sailing, canoeing, kayaking and more. Adventurous canoe/kayakers can find some great little secluded beaches along the cliffs that flank both sides of the bay.
Walkers can delight in the cliff top views that can be found on the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path from Newport Sands, the cliff path can be found at the sea end of the right-hand car park (if you were facing the sea) and continues on to Poppit Sands near St Dogmaels.
For the less adventurous walkers, a short walk along the cliff path brings you down in to a small valley with a waterfall. This can also be found by walking along the beach during low tide, be sure to check on the tides (plus 1 hour for Newport tides) before visiting the waterfall along the beach route as you could become cut off by the rising tide.
Occasionally when the tides are extremely low, the remains of a petrified forest can be found at the sea edge, presumably once connected to the woodlands you can see in the distance when looking up the valley floor eastwards where the Nevern Estuary meanders its way down to meet the sea.
There is a small shop in one of the car parks that sells Ice cream, lollipops, hot and cold drinks etc..
The beach is popular with locals and tourists alike and has ample parking space in two car parks. A parking fee is charged.
During the Winter months, Newport Sands can be a spectacle worth every wind blasted visitor's delight. Pick a mottled cloudy day when the sun is low in the sky and the beach transforms with light casting rays across the mirror like wet sand.
Traeth Mawr is popular at this time of the year with kite surfers, land yachters and wind surfers - providing hours of entertainment watching them go about their business in the howling South Westerly's.
Wildlife to look out for:
- Swans, common egrets, gulls, oyster catchers
- Salmon, sewin, mullet, trout, flat fish, mackerel, pollack, dog fish
- Porpoises, dolphins, seals, baskin sharks
Newport Sands Amenities:
- Car Parks
- Toilets
- Ice Cream Shop
- Surf Club
- Safe Swimming Zone (seasonal)
- Pembrokeshire Coastal Path Access
Accommodation near Newport Sands:
- Holiday Cottages Newport
- Bed and Breakfasts
- Camping and Caravans
- Holiday Parks & Resorts
- Yacht & Boat Charter
Directions:
On foot, you can cross the river at low tide at The Parrog or walk part of The Pembrokeshire Coastal Path along the north side of The Nevern Estuary.
To get to Traeth Mawr by car, follow signs for Feidr Pen-Y-Bont from the main A487 just before you exit Newport heading east. Follow this road over the Iron Bridge and a mile or so later take the next left turn and follow this road down past Newport Golf Club, it will bring you down to the car parks at Newport Sands.
