List of West Wales Beaches You Cannot Take your Dog to this Summer

Its that time of year again where dogs are banned from many West Wales beaches from 1^st May until 30^th September, but it’s not all beaches so we have put together a handy guide to help local families and visitors.

Like many beaches along the Welsh coast, here is West Wales we too have restrictions which prevent dogs accessing some of the most popular family beaches over the five months of Summer.

Why are Dogs Banned from the Beaches in Summer?

There are a few reasons why many beaches ban or restrict access to beaches for dogs over the summer months. A lot of the reason is to be considerate to others as the beaches get busier and to look after the coastal environment.

Dogs leave behind meat-based excrement which can cause risk of toxicara in humans and in severe cases is can actually lead to blindness. Whilst many dog owners are responsible and do clear up after their dogs, unfortunately not all do.

Beaches also have just parts of certain beaches cordoned off for dogs where birds have made their nests, so to prevent any disruption to the local wildlife.

Also, it’s not just down to the dog poop, even if the responsible owner does pick it up the dogs mess, the dogs urine can also affect water quality and could threaten the Blue Flag status of a beach.

It’s not just down to this though, it is for the dog’s wellbeing as well as there is an increased risk over the Summer months for the dogs on the beach as they have limited access to water and shade and can develop heatstroke.

Plus, too during the time, you spend at the beach the sand temperature can quickly get really hot and without our dogs wearing shoes, they can easily burn or blister their doggie pads on their paws.

List of Beaches in West Wales that have Banned dogs for the Summer

As not all beaches in West Wales have banned dogs going on them it can sometimes be tricky to remember where you can and can’t go, so to help here is a List of where have banned dogs

Neath Port Talbot

One restriction is in place on the Aberavon Beach and dogs will need to be on a lead at all times on the promenade.

Swansea

In Swansea there are five beaches that has a full ban in place, and they are Bracelet Bay, Limeslade Bay, Rotherslade Bay, Langland Bay and Caswell Bay

Then there are two beaches that have a partial ban on them which are

Swansea Bay dogs are not allowed between the River Tawe to the slip opposite Victoria Park and from the beach access at Sketty Lane to the northern edge of the slip at the West Cross Inn

Port Eynon Beach dogs are not allowed between the eastern edge of the steps to Port Eynon beach to the eastern edge of Horton beach access

Carmarthenshire

There are not any full bans only partial bans in places in Carmarthenshire, which are

Cefn Sidan has a ban on dogs on around one mile of the length of beach in Pembrey Park. Access for dog walkers onto the zone you can take dogs is via Pembrey Park Car Park 1 and there is still miles of Cefn Sidan that can be used for dog walkers through the summer months.

Llansteffan Beach has restrictions where a strip of beach is inaccessible to dogs and is clearly marked with signs.

Pendine Beach restrictions for dogs apply to the section between the two slipways

Pembrokeshire

In Pembrokeshire there are only two beaches that has a full ban in place, and they are Tenby North Beach including Harbour Beach and Whitesands Beach

Then there are eight beaches that have a partial ban on them which are

Lydstep Beach has restriction for dogs on the top half the beach from the slip up to the coastal path coming from penally end

Newgale Beach and promenade has restrictions on the section that runs parallel to Welsh Road by the car park.

Saundersfoot Beach is restricting access for dogs from the area of beach at harbour along the promenade front

Tenby Castle and South Beach are not allowing dogs on the whole of Castle Beach down to the South Beach below the promenade and cliffs

Amroth Beach is restricting access for dogs along the full length of the promenade

Poppit Sands has a small area where dogs are banned near the car park side

Broad Haven Beach has a restricted area for dogs at the Haroldston Bridge end of the Beach

Dale Beach is restricting access for dogs from the opposite end to the pontoon up by the rocks

Ceredigion

In Ceredigion there are only two beaches that has a full ban in place, and they are Mwnt Beach and Penbryn Beach

Then there are nine beaches that have a partial ban on them which are

Aberaeron South Beach dogs are not allowed between the Harbour walls and the groyne to the south of Beach Parade.

Aberporth Dog restrictions apply to the Dolwen beach area, which is below the dolphin statue.

Aberystwyth North Beach dogs are not allowed between the north side of the Landing Stage and the extreme northern end of the beach at Craig Glais.

Aberystwyth South Beach restrictions for dogs apply between the slipway and castle point.

Borth Beach restrictions for dogs apply between the slipway at the Lifeboat Station to the Club House opposite the Youth Hostel on the High Street.

Ynyslas Beach at certain times of the year there are some areas that are cordoned off to dogs, to protect plant habitats and nesting birds and this will be sign posted.

Clarach Beach restrictions for dogs apply to the area that runs parallel with the breakwater, between the bridge and the cliff bottom.

Llangrannog Village Beach has a ban on dogs between the Hawen river, which streams across the beach, and the cliffs of Pen Rhip to left hand side of the beach.

New Quay Harbour Beach dogs are not allowed between the Pier and Penpolion

Tresaith Beach have a ban for dogs from the southern beach area, between the access steps and Carreg y Ddafad on left hand side.

It’s worth noting though that these restrictions are in place they do not apply to a guide dog accompanying a registered blind person.

We are very blessed here in West Wales to have some of the World’s most stunning beaches and even though we have some that have restrictions for dogs over the Summer months there is still plenty that you can visit with your little fur babies and for some local inspiration of where to visit next why not check out our list of West Wales Beaches.

Oh…. and let’s not forget no matter what time of the year you visit your local beach with your dog and family please be responsible and pick your rubbish up, including cleaning up after your dog.