Outdoor Leisure
Beaches and Water Safety
Here in Pembrokeshire we are blessed with beaches that are among the best in the UK, maybe even the world! The coast is so beautiful that it has been designated as the UK’s only coastal national park (opens in a new tab).
The Wales Coast Awards (opens in a new tab) play a vital role in protecting our precious marine environment and are recognised around the world as a symbol of quality. Keep Wales Tidy have managed the Blue Flag, Green Coast and Seaside Award for the past 20 years+. Pembrokeshire are proud of our standing as one of the leading coastlines across the United Kingdom.
Blue Flag (opens in a new tab) - high quality resort beaches with Excellent water quality
Green Coast (opens in a new tab) - acknowledging the environmental & rural quality of the beach with guideline water quality
Both of these awards are the result of collaboration with a number of stakeholders and our commitment to continual improvement in the service we provide, making the most of our natural resources for your enjoyment.
Beaches Officer patrols the beaches from May through to September checking that award standards are maintained, updating the information boards, answering any questions you may have and responding to any incidents as appropriate.
Water Safety Equipment such as life rings and emergency phones are deployed around the coast and rivers of Pembrokeshire. Our lifeguards and shore-based staff inspect, maintain and replace them as necessary throughout the year.
RNLI Beach Lifeguards (opens in a new tab) are in place during the main part of the season every year (dates change on an annual basis) at Amroth, Coppet Hall, Saundersfoot, Tenby North, Tenby Castle, Tenby South, Freshwater West, Nolton Haven, Broad Haven North, Newgale, Whitesands, Newport & Poppit.
Always fully trained to national standards as lifeguards and first aiders, they are able to respond to emergency situations and assist the emergency services. Further update training continues through the summer.
Typically the RNLI employ 55 lifeguards each season and find that they frequently return to us year after year making a confident, skilled team with a wealth of local knowledge.
A lifeguard's main duties are:
- First response in emergency situations
- Giving general beach related & safety advice
- Helping to find lost children or adults
- General supervision of the beach
- Patrolling bathing areas
- Advising on dog byelaws
If you are looking for work as a lifeguard in Pembrokeshire, please check the RNLI website (opens in a new tab)
Dogs on beaches
You and your dog are welcome on more than 50 of Pembrokeshire’s beaches, but some have dog restricted areas or dog bans between 1 May and the 30 September.
Please note these restrictions do not apply to assistance dogs (proof of registration is desirable).
Where are there dog restrictions?
Total ban
- Tenby North Beach
- Whitesands, St Davids
Partial ban
- Lydstep
- Newgale beach and promenade
- Coppet Hall (voluntary)
- Saundersfoot beach and promenade
- Tenby Castle and South Beach
- Amroth beach and promenade
- Poppit Sands
- Broad Haven North
- Dale
Beach dog restriction maps (opens in a new tab)
All areas are subject to potential financial penalties for breaches of the bylaws.
The Haven Waterway and public pontoons
The Milford Haven Port Authority's leisure guide (opens in a new tab) includes a diagram of the waterway and the pontoon placings.
Note: there are other pontoons sited along the Cleddau but they are privately owned and managed and should not be used without the prior permission of the owners.