Dog-friendly beaches in Cardigan Bay

Dotted with sandy coves and lapped by waters home to bottlenose dolphins, Cardigan Bay in Ceredigion is one of the most spectacular coastlines in Wales. It is the largest bay in the British Isles, sweeping approximately 50 miles from Bardsey Island off the Llyn Peninsula in the north to Strumble Head in Pembrokeshire in the south.  

Whether chasing waves or scampering along the Ceredigion Coast Path, these shores are simply pawfect to enjoy with your four-legged family members. With so many Cardigan Bay dog-friendly beaches on offer, we’ve sniffed out a few of the best for your next tail-wagging adventure.

Be sure to check out our collection of pet-friendly cottages in Cardigan Bay too, where you can rest up after your wild walkies, or read our full guide to Wales and our guide to dog-friendly beaches in Wales for more holiday inspiration.

Skip to:

• Penbryn Beach  
• Aberporth Beach  
• Poppit Sands Beach  
• Llangrannog Beach  
• Tresaith Beach  
• Aberaeron North and South  
• New Quay Harbour, Dolau and Traeth  
• Little Quay Beach  
• Aberystwyth South Beach  

Best for scenic walkies - Penbryn Beach

Almost a mile in length, the soft, powdery sands and shallow waters of Penbryn Beach in Llandysul are perfect for zoomies. This is, by far, one of the most beautiful dog-friendly beaches in Cardigan Bay, sheltered by wooded slopes, towering cliffs and rolling dunes. It is so stunning that it was used as a location for the James Bond film, Die Another Day. There’s even a smuggler’s cave to explore at low tide!

Cared for by the National Trust, Penbryn is remote and unspoilt, reached via an enchanting stroll through a fern-clad valley. It lies within the Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation and is home to a rich variety of plants and marine life. And with very little light pollution, it’s also a designated Dark Sky Discovery Site, perfect for stargazing. If that’s not enough, it sits directly on the Wales Coast Path, with an abundance of picture-postcard walkies in both directions.

Best for doggy paddles - Aberporth Beach

Not only is this one of the top Cardigan Bay dog-friendly beaches, but it’s also one of the best places in West Wales for treading some water. Aberporth Beach is a golden crescent of sand that actually offers two beaches – Dyffryn (big beach) and Dolwen (little beach), which are joined when the tide is out and separate when the tide is in. Protected by headlands on both sides, this sheltered bay offers safe bathing and is patrolled by RNLI lifeguards in the summer months.

Puppers can join the swimmers, kayakers, paddleboarders and surfers for a doggy paddle then, at low tide, have a nose around the abundant rock pools. Alternatively, the cliff-top walks along the Ceredigion Coast Path above Aberporth offer extensive views out to sea, with the chance of spotting dolphins as they follow shoals of mackerel into the bay.

Best for the whole family - Poppit Sands Beach

Framed by grass-topped sand dunes and boating jetties, Poppit Sands is a pristine sandy beach in Pembrokeshire with views across Cardigan Bay and Cardigan Island. It’s no wonder it’s one of the top dog-friendly beaches in Ceredigion too, with half a mile of space for games of frisbee and plenty of rock pools to peer into. Found at the mouth of the Teifi Estuary, the beach is part of the Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation, so it’s great for wildlife watching – on the odd occasion, it has been known for whales to be spotted!

Those humans eager to dive into the saltwater will enjoy bathing here in the marked safe zone, while adrenaline junkies can take advantage of the more adventurous water sports on offer, including surfing, coasteering and kayaking. If your canine still has energy left to burn after a day of sandcastle bombing, take them on a scamper along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path which runs alongside.

Best for rock pooling - Llangrannog Beach

Nestled below a series of craggy cliffs, Llangrannog Beach is one of the best-loved dog-friendly beaches in West Wales. There is a distinctive rock on the shore called Carreg Bica which according to legend, was once a giant’s tooth – and within its folds are lots of tiny fossils.

At low tide, you can walk past this rock to the hidden sandy cove of Cilborth Beach. Children and tufty-pawed pals alike will adore exploring the rock pools and caverns along the way, and you might even spot seals sunbathing on the rocks. From here, you can join the Ceredigion Coast Path which follows a 60-mile route along the Cardigan Bay coastline, or visit the neighbouring peninsula and island of Ynys Lochtyn, which is home to a seal colony.

Best for a selfie - Tresaith Beach

Tresaith is set in a sheltered bay named after the River Saith which tumbles over the towering, greenery-clad cliffs onto the golden sand. This dazzling waterfall is around 30-metres high and is sure to wow your whole pack. Add to this, views as far as the Llyn Peninsula on a clear day, water often frequented by seals and dolphins, and plenty of facilities close to hand, and it’s no surprise that this is one of the most popular beaches for dogs in Cardigan Bay.

To escape the crowds for a while, bound across to the second, smaller beach at the northern end of Tresaith past the waterfall. Watch out for the tides though, as this hidden beach is only accessible along the sand, which disappears at high tide.

Best for a sweet treat - Aberaeron North and South

The coastal town of Aberaeron is a picturesque destination adorned with pastel-painted houses. Its colourful seafront is divided by the harbour into Aberaeron North Beach and Aberaeron South Beach. North Beach is the larger of the two and is backed by the coastal path and promenade. Here, pups can feel the salty breeze through their fur as they watch the fishermen, sailing enthusiasts, and windsurfers riding the waves.

South Beach tends to be a bit quieter, where a good game of fetch can be enjoyed on the coarse sand. This section is popular with bodyboarders and surfers, as well as those hoping to spot the resident porpoise population. We recommend treating the whole pack to a cone of the town’s famous honey ice cream from the dog-friendly café, The Hive, before you head for the sand!

Best for meeting puppy pals - New Quay Harbour, Dolau and Traeth Gwyn

Situated at the southern end of Cardigan Bay, New Quay is a popular seaside town with a lively harbour and terraced streets sloping down to its three beaches. Two of New Quay's beaches are dog-friendly and allow dogs all year round. Harbour Beach (North Beach) is the main beach and is patrolled by lifeguards in the summer, so it’s great for a refreshing dip – however, this stretch of sand does have seasonal restrictions.

New Quay dog-friendly beaches include Dolau Beach (South Beach), a smaller sheltered cove with turquoise waters to the west of the harbour that welcomes four-pawed pals all year round. Traeth Gwyn Beach in New Quay is also dog-friendly all year and stretches all the way to Llanina Point at the eastern end of the sweeping bay.

Best for magical sunsets - Little Quay Beach

Just up the road from New Quay and Aberaeron, you’ll find Little Quay Beach or Cei Bach as it’s known locally. Part shingle, part sand, this sheltered stretch is in a prime location overlooking Cardigan Bay, so make sure you get there in time for the spectacular sunsets.

When the tide is low, your happy hound can make paw prints in the sand all the way to New Quay Harbour, or you can join the Ceredigion Coast Path and head to Aberaeron where you can take in the vistas over the iconic waterfall footbridge. Red kites are often sighted in the area, so keep your eyes peeled during your dog walk.

Best for year-round fun - Aberystwyth South Beach

Quieter than the town's North Beach and dog-friendly all year round, Aberystwyth South Beach is a tail-wagging treat for furry water babies. Sandwiched between Aberystwyth Castle and the harbour breakwater, it is a wide, gently sloping sand and shingle beach, where playful pups can have endless fun wave jumping and digging for treasure until the sun goes down.

The southernmost part of the shoreline is a favourite with experienced surfers and bodyboarders, and there are awe-inspiring views down the coast. And just behind the beach is Aberystwyth’s bustling harbour and marina full of sailing boats and white-sailed yachts – boat trips are available during the summer months, some of which are pet friendly too.

Dog-friendly beaches in Cardigan Bay with no restrictions

These beaches are just a pawful of the many dog-friendly beaches in Ceredigion. For a full list of Cardigan Bay beaches that allow dogs with no restrictions, click below or visit our Dog-friendly Index for even more pet-friendly attractions and ideas for days out in the local area.