Freshwater East · 700 yards from Freshwater East
A sheltered, dune-backed crescent facing south — easy parking, safe paddling and far fewer people than Tenby.
Beaches near Freshwater East
There are 8 beaches within about 5 miles of Freshwater East. The closest is Freshwater East, 700 yards away as the crow flies — further by road, because almost everything here is further by road.
None of them has RNLI lifeguard cover. That doesn't make them dangerous, but it does mean nobody is watching the water, and this coast has rip currents and a big tidal range. Swim where you can stand, and dial 999 for the Coastguard if anything goes wrong.
2 welcome dogs all year (Barafundle Bay and Broad Haven South); the rest restrict them from 1 May to 30 September. Signs at the access points are the authority, not us.
Parking is the constraint: only 3 have a mapped car park within half a mile, and in July and August those fill by mid-morning.
| Beach | Distance | Dogs | Lifeguards | Car park | Toilets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freshwater East | 700 yards | Restricted in summer | None | 600 m | 500 m |
| Swanlake Bay | 1.4 miles | Restricted in summer | None | 1.7 km away | None nearby |
| Manorbier Bay | 2.5 miles | Restricted in summer | None | 550 m | 450 m |
| Stackpole Quay | 2.6 miles | Restricted in summer | None | 350 m | 300 m |
| Barafundle Bay | 3 miles | All year | None | 1.1 km away | 1.0 km away |
| Skrinkle Haven | 4 miles | Restricted in summer | None | 1.5 km away | 1.5 km away |
| Lydstep Haven | 4 miles | Restricted in summer | None | None nearby | 500 m |
| Broad Haven South | 5 miles | All year | None | 0.9 km away | 1.0 km away |
Dog restrictions and lifeguard dates are set locally and do change. The signs at the beach access points are the authority — not this table.
Each of them, briefly
Swanlake Bay · 1.4 miles from Freshwater East
A sandy bay between Freshwater East and Manorbier with no road access at all — usually empty, and entirely tide-dependent.
Manorbier Bay · 2.5 miles from Freshwater East
Red-tinged sand, a proper castle backdrop and a dependable beach break — the south coast's most characterful bay.
Stackpole Quay · 2.6 miles from Freshwater East
Reputedly Britain's smallest harbour, with a National Trust car park, café and toilets — and the start of the walk to Barafundle.
Barafundle Bay · 3 miles from Freshwater East
The golden cove with no road — half a mile's clifftop walk from Stackpole Quay, and regularly voted among Britain's best beaches.
Skrinkle Haven · 4 miles from Freshwater East
Two limestone coves split by the Church Doors arch, reached by a long steel staircase — spectacular, awkward and tide-dependent.
Lydstep Haven · 4 miles from Freshwater East
A wide sheltered south-facing bay between Tenby and Manorbier, sitting inside a private holiday park — check access before you go.
Broad Haven South · 5 miles from Freshwater East
White sand, Church Rock offshore and the lily ponds behind — Bosherston's beautiful back door to the sea.
Keep looking
- Everything about Freshwater East
- Dog-friendly beaches in Pembrokeshire (10)
- Lifeguarded beaches in Pembrokeshire (8)
- Pembrokeshire beaches with parking (22)
- Pembrokeshire beaches with toilets nearby (21)
- Pembrokeshire beaches with a pub or café nearby (28)
- Pembrokeshire beaches for families (7)
- Quiet beaches in Pembrokeshire (10)
- Surfing beaches in Pembrokeshire (8)
- All 45 beach guides