Whitesands Bay (Porth Mawr)

Whitesands is the north coast's flagship: a broad sweep of pale sand under the rocky peak of Carn Llidi, with reliable beginner-to-intermediate surf, lifeguards through the season, and sunsets over Ramsey Island that empty the car park slowly. Surf schools and board hire operate in season; swimmers should stay between the flags as rips work the beach on bigger days.

Walkers have riches: the Coast Path north rounds St Davids Head past the Coetan Arthur burial chamber (a superb short circuit via Carn Llidi's shoulder), and south towards Porthselau and St Justinians' lifeboat stations. The car park fills by mid-morning in summer — the seasonal Celtic Coaster shuttle from St Davids solves it. Porthmelgan, ten minutes' walk north, offers a quieter cove when Whitesands is busy (no facilities, stronger currents).