The best beaches in Anglesey are Traeth Gwyn, Porth y Wylfa, Hen Borth Beach, Traeth Llanddona, Traeth Ynys y Fydlyn, Porth Trecastell, Porth Cwyfan and Traeth Bychan.

Anglesey wraps the far northwest of Wales in a coastline of quiet coves, wide sandy bays and rocky headlands, much of it within a designated area of outstanding natural beauty. The island rewards anyone willing to follow a single-track lane or a stretch of the Wales Coast Path to reach the water.

Some of its finest shores are remote pebble coves with no facilities at all, reached down steep steps or across sheep pasture, while others are broad expanses of firm sand with a car park and a cafe behind. Along the east coast, Red Wharf Bay holds secluded Traeth Gwyn and the long sands of Traeth Llanddona, while sheltered Traeth Bychan sits between Benllech and Moelfre.

The wilder north and west give up Porth y Wylfa, Hen Borth, the isolated cove at Ynys y Fydlyn, surf-favoured Porth Trecastell and the tidal church at Porth Cwyfan. Each has its own character, from history and archaeology to birdlife and clear water.

Here are eight of the best beaches to seek out in Anglesey.

Traeth Gwyn

Photo: Eric Jones via Geograph.org.uk

Traeth Gwyn sits on the east coast of Anglesey near Llanddona, on the northern side of Red Wharf Bay toward Penmon Point. Also called White Beach, it is a secluded, steeply shelving shore of pale pebbles backed by cliffs, its clear water and quiet setting drawing sea anglers, kayakers and the occasional careful swimmer, though the steep shelf and currents call for caution.

Getting there means a long single-track lane to a tiny clifftop parking spot, then a steep flight of steps, and there are no facilities, which keeps it little visited. Do not confuse it with the Traeth Gwyn at New Quay in Ceredigion.

Follow the lane and the steps down to find it.

Porth y Wylfa

Photo: Eirian Evans via Geograph.org.uk

Porth y Wylfa is a small, quiet cove of pebble and shingle at the eastern edge of Cemaes Bay, on the north coast of Anglesey. Low cliffs back it, with a path leading down from the top, and it makes a calm, out-of-the-way alternative to the main Cemaes beach nearby.

The name comes from the neighbouring headland of Trwyn yr Wylfa, the lookout point, at Cemaes. There are no facilities here, so it suits a quiet sit by the water and coastal walks rather than a day of amenities.

Seek it out when the main bay feels too busy.

Hen Borth Beach

Photo: Jonathan Wilkins via Geograph.org.uk

Hen Borth Beach is a small cove on the north coast of Anglesey, just west of Cemlyn Bay on the way toward Carmel Head. You reach it across coastal farmland on the Wales Coast Path, looking out to sea toward the headland, with cliffs and rough grazing surrounding the little bay.

Nothing is built here at all, making it an obscure, little-visited spot for anyone who likes a shore left entirely to itself. Lace up your boots and walk the coast path to find it.

Traeth Llanddona

Photo: Eirian Evans via Geograph.org.uk

Traeth Llanddona is a long sandy beach at the eastern end of Red Wharf Bay, below the village of Llanddona and within the island's area of outstanding natural beauty. At low tide a huge expanse of firm sand is uncovered, backed by dunes and good for walking, kite-flying, windsurfing and kayaking, though the fast incoming tide over the flat bay calls for care.

A steep, narrow road leads down to a car park with toilets, a beach cafe and a shop. Dogs are restricted on part of the beach in the summer months.

It is worth the drive down for the sheer space of sand.

Traeth Ynys y Fydlyn

Photo: Eirian Evans via Geograph.org.uk

Traeth Ynys y Fydlyn is a pebble and shingle cove on the wild northwest coast of Anglesey, near Carmel Head. Its landmark is the twin rock island of the same name just offshore, split by a deep ravine and pierced by a natural arch that fills with water as the tide rises.

Behind the shingle bar sits a freshwater pool that draws ducks and other birds. Reaching it takes a walk of about a kilometre from the National Trust car park at Mynachdy, across sheep pasture and down through a wooded valley.

There are no facilities, and the spot stays very isolated. Set aside time for the walk in.

Porth Trecastell

Photo: David Seale via Geograph.org.uk

Porth Trecastell, often called Cable Bay, is a sandy beach backed by dunes on the west coast of Anglesey, in an inlet off the coast road between Rhosneigr and Aberffraw. It is a well-liked surf spot in autumn and winter and a sheltered picnic beach in summer, with a small car park above.

The Cable Bay name comes from a telegraph cable laid across the Irish Sea from here in 1902. On the headland just above sits Barclodiad y Gawres, the largest Neolithic passage tomb in Wales, its chamber holding carved stones some four to five thousand years old.

Come for the surf and stay for the ancient tomb.

Porth Cwyfan

Photo: Jeff Buck via Geograph.org.uk

Porth Cwyfan is a shallow bay on the west coast of Anglesey near Aberffraw, best known for the little church that sits just offshore on a tiny tidal island called Cribinau. St Cwyfan's church, often called the church in the sea, stands within a circular stone sea wall, reached on foot across a causeway when the tide is out and cut off, seeming to float, when it is in.

Parts of the church go back to the twelfth century, and the sea wall was built in the 1890s to save it as the sea ate away the land around. Time your visit to the falling tide to walk across.

Traeth Bychan

Photo: Chris Andrews via Geograph.org.uk

Traeth Bychan is a small, sheltered bay of mixed sand, gravel and pebble on the east coast of Anglesey, between Benllech and Moelfre. A slipway makes it a base for sailing, kayaks and jet skis, home to a long-established watersports club, and the sands open up at low tide as part of the coast path along the shore.

A caravan park, a cafe and parking sit behind. It carries a place in history too: in 1939 the wrecked submarine Thetis, lost in a diving trial in Liverpool Bay with heavy loss of life, was raised and beached here for salvage.

Head down for the watersports and the quiet history.

FAQs

Which Anglesey beaches have facilities?

Traeth Llanddona has a car park with toilets, a beach cafe and a shop, and Traeth Bychan has parking, a cafe and a caravan park behind. Many of the others, such as Traeth Gwyn, Hen Borth and Ynys y Fydlyn, have no facilities at all, so bring what you need.

Are any of these beaches reached on foot?

Yes, several are. Ynys y Fydlyn takes a walk of about a kilometre from the car park at Mynachdy, Hen Borth is reached across farmland on the Wales Coast Path, and Traeth Gwyn involves a long lane and a steep flight of steps.

When is the best time to visit Anglesey's beaches?

It depends on what you want. Porth Trecastell is a well-liked surf spot in autumn and winter and a sheltered picnic beach in summer, while low tide opens up the firm sands at Traeth Llanddona and the tidal causeway at Porth Cwyfan.

Conclusion

Anglesey's coast rewards the curious, whether you want a broad sweep of firm sand with a cafe behind or a lonely pebble cove reached only on foot. The island holds them all, from Traeth Llanddona and Traeth Bychan on the sheltered east coast to the wilder shores of Ynys y Fydlyn and Hen Borth in the north and west.

Some come with parking and facilities, while others offer nothing but the sound of the water and a long walk in, so check the tides and pack for the conditions before you go. Whether you are after surf, sea angling, birdlife, archaeology or simply a quiet place to sit, from the church in the sea at Porth Cwyfan to the surf at Porth Trecastell, these are the best beaches to seek out in Anglesey.

Related guides

• Best Hidden Gems in Anglesey

• Best Places to Visit in Anglesey

• Dog-Friendly Beaches in Anglesey

• Family Beaches in Anglesey