Best Beaches in Conwy & Denbighshire
Written by UK Hidden Gems Editorial
Updated 5 August 2026
The best beaches in Conwy & Denbighshire are Ffrith Beach, Penrhyn Bay Beach, Prestatyn Beach, Kinmel Bay Beach, Porth Dyniewaid Angel Bay, Llanddulas Beach and Deganwy Beach.
The North Wales coast of Conwy and Denbighshire strings together a run of sandy resort beaches, quiet pebble shores and rocky seal coves along the edge of the Irish Sea. At Prestatyn and Kinmel Bay wide sands open at low tide behind promenades, gentle and well served for families, while Ffrith Beach forms the middle stretch of Prestatyn's long seafront.
Further west, Penrhyn Bay and Llanddulas mix sand with shingle and rock pools, backed by the Wales Coast Path and popular with walkers and cyclists. Deganwy looks across the estuary to the towers of Conwy Castle and the Great Orme, while the small cove of Angel Bay, beneath the Little Orme, draws visitors for its colony of Atlantic grey seals.
This is a coast of long promenades and coastal trails, celebrated landmarks and easy access, with something for paddlers, walkers and wildlife watchers alike. Whether you want a busy resort beach or a quiet rocky cove, this stretch of shore repays a closer look.
Here are seven of the best beaches to seek out in Conwy & Denbighshire.
Ffrith Beach
Photo: Eirian Evans via Geograph.org.uk
Ffrith Beach forms the middle stretch of the long seafront at Prestatyn, between the golf course and the main town beach. A promenade, part of a coastal cycle route, runs along the back, with a car park close by.
The old funfair and leisure site behind the beach has long since closed and been cleared, awaiting new use, and the sand runs on along the seafront to either side. It is an easy, open stretch of sand within the wider run of Prestatyn's beaches.
Seek it out for a level, accessible stretch of sand and a cycle along the front.
Penrhyn Bay Beach
Photo: N Chadwick via Geograph.org.uk
Penrhyn Bay Beach is a beach of sand and shingle on the Conwy coast, between the Little Orme headland and Rhos-on-Sea, near Llandudno. The upper beach is pebble, turning sandier toward the water, with rock pools at low tide and stone breakwaters at either end.
A promenade runs behind it carrying the Wales Coast Path and a cycle route, well used by walkers and cyclists, with on-street parking and steps down to the sand. The tiny St Trillo's Chapel, one of the smallest churches in Britain, stands close by at Rhos-on-Sea.
Seek it out for rock pools, a seaside walk and a look at that miniature chapel.
Prestatyn Beach
Photo: Jaggery via Geograph.org.uk
Prestatyn Beach is a long, flat, sandy resort beach on the North Wales coast, backed by a promenade and one of a run of beaches along the town's front. Wide sands open at low tide, gentle for families, with a cafe, toilets and seasonal lifeguards at the central beach and sailing and windsurfing on offer.
It is best known as the northern end of the Offa's Dyke Path, the long-distance trail that runs the length of the Welsh border from the Severn, and the Wales Coast Path also passes along the seafront. Seek it out for family sands and the start or finish of a celebrated long walk.
Kinmel Bay Beach
Photo: Stephen McKay via Geograph.org.uk
Kinmel Bay Beach, sometimes called Sandy Cove, is a sandy beach near Rhyl, across the river mouth from the town. A promenade and sea defences back the shore, with a wide stretch of sand opening out at low tide and a patch of dunes alongside.
A large car park, toilets and cafes serve the beach, which is a busy family spot through the summer on this flat, open coast. It is easy to reach and easy to enjoy.
Seek it out for wide summer sands and full facilities close to Rhyl.
Porth Dyniewaid Angel Bay
Photo: N Chadwick via Geograph.org.uk
Porth Dyniewaid Angel Bay, better known as Angel Bay, is a small rocky cove at the foot of the Little Orme, just east of Llandudno above Penrhyn Bay. Steep limestone cliffs enclose it, and its great draw is a colony of Atlantic grey seals that haul out on the pebbles, gathering in numbers through the autumn and winter when the pups are born.
Seals are watched from the cliff top rather than the shore, to leave them undisturbed, and the cliffs also hold nesting seabirds. It is reached on foot along the coast path, with no facilities.
Seek it out for the seals and the cliff-top views.
Llanddulas Beach
Photo: Mat Fascione via Geograph.org.uk
Llanddulas Beach is a quiet pebble-and-rock beach on the Conwy coast, between Colwyn Bay and Abergele, with some sand showing at low tide. A surfaced path along the shore, part of the North Wales coastal route, runs beside it and is well used by walkers and cyclists taking in the sea views.
Caravan and holiday parks sit behind the beach, and there is free parking and a public toilet, with a couple of cafes nearby. Dogs are welcome all year round.
Seek it out for a quiet shoreside walk or cycle with your dog in tow.
Deganwy Beach
Photo: Ceri Thomas via Geograph.org.uk
Deganwy Beach is a long beach of sand and shingle on the Conwy estuary, at Deganwy near Conwy. It looks across the water to Conwy Castle, the Great Orme headland and out toward Anglesey, with the ruins of Deganwy Castle on the hill behind the town.
A low sea wall and promenade back the shore, near a modern marina, and shingle at the top gives way to firmer sand toward the water. The views are the main reason to come.
Seek it out for one of the finest castle-and-estuary outlooks on the North Wales coast.
FAQs
Where can I see seals in Conwy?
Angel Bay, at the foot of the Little Orme, is the place to go. A colony of Atlantic grey seals hauls out on its pebbles, gathering in numbers through autumn and winter when the pups are born. Watch quietly from the cliff top to leave them undisturbed.
Which Conwy and Denbighshire beaches are best for families?
Prestatyn and Kinmel Bay are the top family choices, with wide sands at low tide, promenades, cafes and toilets. Prestatyn's central beach also has seasonal lifeguards, and both are easy to reach on this flat, open coast.
Are dogs allowed on these North Wales beaches?
Llanddulas welcomes dogs all year round and makes an easy shoreside walk. Rules vary by beach and season elsewhere, so it is worth checking local signs before you visit with a dog.
Conclusion
The Conwy and Denbighshire coast makes an easy and varied day out, with resort sands, quiet shores and wildlife all within a short drive. Families will find wide, well-served beaches at Prestatyn and Kinmel Bay, while walkers and cyclists can follow the promenades and coast path at Ffrith, Penrhyn Bay and Llanddulas.
Deganwy rewards visitors with a superb view across the estuary to Conwy Castle and the Great Orme, and the little cove of Angel Bay draws wildlife watchers to its colony of grey seals. Remember that some of these beaches are pebble and rock rather than soft sand, and that the seals at Angel Bay are best watched quietly from the cliff top.
Whether you are after a family paddle, a coastal ride or a glimpse of seals, these are the best beaches to seek out in Conwy & Denbighshire.
