Marloes Sands
Marloes Sands — a magnificent National Trust beach a half-mile walk from the car park. Crystal-clear water and dramatic sandstone cliffs, views of outlying islands, fossils, rock pools, surf and space. Good safe bathing when the weather is calm.
The beach is enormous at low tide but can virtually disappear at high tide, leaving a scramble up the cliffs the only option. Always check tide times before you go — and plan to leave well before high tide.
Albion Sands
Just west of Marloes Sands, accessible by scrambling the rocks near Gateholm Island at low tide, lies Albion Sands — a small, secluded beach that rewards those who time it right.
The beach takes its name from the paddle steamer Albion, which ran aground here in 1837 carrying 400 pigs and a considerable quantity of whisky. Its propeller shaft still protrudes from the sand at low tide, a quiet reminder that this stretch of coast has always had the upper hand. That's worth keeping in mind. At high tide the beach disappears entirely, and anyone caught on the wrong side of the rocks faces a steep, rough cliff path back.
Musselwick Sands
Musselwick is just outside the village of Marloes. Limited roadside parking opposite the public footpath that leads down to the coast path and beach.
The beach is completely submerged at high tide, but a fine beach of golden sand is exposed at low tide. Access is by footpath across a field and then a fairly tricky path cut into the rocks of the low black gully. Best visited an hour or two before low tide.
St Brides Haven
A pretty sheltered cove, the beach is shingle above the tideline, but sand is revealed at low water, opening up excellent rock pools teeming with spider crabs, starfish and sea anemones. The water quality and clarity make it one of the best snorkelling and diving spots in Wales, it's also a firm favourite with canoeists exploring the sea caves and inlets along the cliffs.
Look out for the stone-lined coffins exposed by coastal erosion near the lime kiln — they belong to a remarkable early medieval cemetery. Overlooking the whole scene is St Brides Castle, the grand 19th-century baronial mansion once home to the Edwardes family, Barons of Kensington.
Martin's Haven
About a ten-minute walk from the campsite, Martin's Haven is a small pebble beach used as the embarkation point for the Skomer Island boats.
On the way down you pass the marine exhibition centre at Fisherman's Cottage — learn about marine life in the Skomer Marine Conservation Zone and find out the best places to watch for seals and porpoises.
The award-winning Lockley Lodge Visitor Centre is near the National Trust car park — information about the marine reserve, a gift shop, ice creams, drinks and locally produced food. All Skomer Island boat tickets are purchased here.