Known locally as Traeth Mawr or Big Beach, Newport Sands is the largest of Newport’s beaches stretching for almost a mile. It’s situated by the mouth of the River Nevern on the other side of the town, and offers lovely views across the bay and towards the Preseli mountains. At low tide, the remains of a petrified prehistoric forest are sometimes exposed.
The spacious beach lies between two headlands which means it has a sheltered break that’s ideal for surfing, kitesurfing, and bodyboarding. Winter and spring are the best times to visit when the waves are consistently clean. It’s also a good spot for windsurfing, kayaking, and canoeing and there is a slipway on the beach from which to launch sailing boats.
There are also good fishing spots all along the beach with the opportunity to catch dogfish, bass, rays, and flatfish.
With plenty of space, families will enjoy a picnic, building sandcastles, and playing beach games. During the summer a safe swimming zone is marked, and RNLI lifeguards patrol the beach daily. Look out for their red and yellow flags and always keep between them. Swimming nearer the estuary can be dangerous due to fast incoming tides so check tide times before you visit.
The Newport Surf Lifesaving Club that can be found on the beach offers training and education in lifesaving skills and water safety awareness. Sessions are run weekly throughout the summer in the evenings.
Overlooking the beach is Newport Links Golf Club, a 95 year old challenging links course set over gorse-topped hillocks and valleys with stunning sea views. Its signature hole, the fifteenth, is played over the sand dunes onto a tiny, elevated green, has been voted one of the toughest holes in the UK.
With the Pembrokeshire Coast Path running behind the beach, there are plenty of pleasant walks to have in the surrounding area. Starting from the beach behind the surf club, take the path towards Parrog along the sand dunes, which support a variety of interesting flora including species of orchids. From here it’s possible to look out to sea and spot porpoises, dolphins, seals, and basking sharks in the water. Walk past a huge sand dune known as The Bennet which over time has diverted the course of the Nevern, and then along the banks of the river until you come to the Iron Bridge to cross to the other side.
A small nature reserve, the River Nevern Wildfowl Conservation Area lies just past the bridge and is a hidden gem for bird watchers. Swans, geese, and ducks, as well as kingfishers and herons can all be found here on the mudflats.
From here, you can either continue onto Parrog, or make your way back to Newport Sands by cutting across the golf course.
When you fancy a bite to eat, head to the Cat Rock Café, an independent café located within the golf course that serves freshly cooked breakfasts and lunches as well as coffee and cakes.
Or for ice cream and hot and cold drinks, try caffi Mawr, a café on the beach that also sells sustainable beach toys, buckets and spades, wetsuits, sunscreen, sunglasses, and towels.
Alternatively make your way into Newport town where you can find a good variety of cafes, restaurants, shops, and pubs.
Parking is available in a large car park near the golf club for a charge, although in the summer many people park on the beach itself in a designated area. There are also public toilets in the golf club with disabled facilities. Access to the beach is via the slipway from the car park.
