This mile-long sandy beach is a popular surfing, swimming and strolling spot. At extremely low tide you can see the wreck of a paddle tugboat that ran aground here in 1882, and the fossil remains of a prehistoric forest. If Whitesands is really busy – and it often is – you can escape the worst of the crowds by walking north along the coastal path for 10 to 15 minutes to the smaller, more secluded beach at Porthmelgan.

Whitesands, 2 miles northwest of St Davids, has lifeguards, toilets and a cafe between May and early September. If you drive, expect to pay an extortionate amount for parking (£5 even for a short stop in winter!). Otherwise, catch the Celtic Coaster bus from the Oriel y Parc centre (summer only) or walk, but you're well advised to ask at the tourist office for directions.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. St Davids Head

0.74 MILES

This atmospheric heather-wreathed promontory, formed from the oldest rock in Wales, was fortified by the Celts. The jumbled stones and ditch of an Iron…

2. St Davids Bishop's Palace

1.55 MILES

This atmospheric ruined palace was begun at the same time as St David's Cathedral, adjacent, but its final, imposing Decorated Gothic form owes most to…

3. St David's Cathedral

1.62 MILES

Hidden in a hollow and behind high walls, St David's Cathedral is intentionally unassuming. The valley site was chosen in the vain hope that the church…

4. Oriel y Parc

1.95 MILES

Occupying a bold, semicircular, environmentally friendly building on the edge of town, Oriel y Parc is a winning collaboration between the Pembrokeshire…

5. St Non's Bay

2.13 MILES

Immediately south of St Davids, this ruggedly beautiful spot is named after St David's mother and traditionally accepted as his birthplace. A path leads…

6. Ramsey Island

2.92 MILES

Ramsey Island (Ynys Dewi) lies off the headland to the west of St Davids, ringed by dramatic sea cliffs and an offshore armada of rocky islets and reefs…

7. Blue Lagoon

4.65 MILES

Slate was quarried at this site on the water's edge in Abereiddi right up until 1910 and then transported by tramway to the harbour at Porthgain. After…

8. Garn Fawr

12.36 MILES

The section of coast between Porthgain and Fishguard is one of the most remote of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, sheltering ancient monuments, dramatic…