South Wales has some of the most stunning beaches around - some with Blue Flags! Probably more than anywhere else in the UK, most with car parking nearby.
Sandy Bay Porthcawl – also known as Coney Beach is a sandy beach close to the centre of the town of Porthcawl. With a promenade behind the beach and an amusement arcade. This beach has some great views out to the Bristol Channel. At the eastern end of the beach there is a small headland, with many rock pools that can be explored at low tide for signs of marine wildlife.
(0.5 mi)
Newton Bay Porthcawl - Also known as Black Rock Beach. A long sand and rock beach backed by the very extensive and scientifically interesting Newton Burrows and Merthyr Mawr sand dunes.
(0.6 mi)
Rest Bay Porthcawl –is a golden, sandy beach on the outskirts of the town of Porthcawl, backed by The Royal Porthcawl Golf Club and low cliffs.
(2.3 mi)
Ogmore Beach – a sand and shingle beach along the Glamorgan Heritage Coast. This beach is one of the cleanest beaches in the region, and is popular for a variety of activities, including swimming, surfing, fishing, and walking.
(2.4)
Southerndown Beach – also known as Dunraven Bay. A sandy beach, with rocky areas exposed at high tide. The beach itself is popular for swimming, and watersports such as canoeing and surfing. It has some excellent rock pools which can be explored at low tide. The rocks here are rich in fossils, and it is one of the best beaches in the area for fossil hunters.
(4.4)
Traeth Mawr Beach - meaning Big Beach, The beach here is composed of pebbles above the high tide mark with a good stretch of sand when the tide goes out.
Temple Bay Beach – This beach here is a narrow stretch of sand between rocky ledges of Blue Lias limestone. To the rear of this beach are sheer cliffs made up of layers of sandstone and limestone. This is excellent fossil hunting territory although care must be taken as the cliffs can be unstable.