Wales Wild Swimming Map

The Wild Changer guide to the best wild swims, sea dips, rivers and waterfalls across Wales / Cymru. 0 spots showing Shop the Wild Changer

Water Must have

Tap a spot, then scroll down here for the details

A living map, built by swimmers

Wales is a wild swimmer's paradise — and a genuinely underrated one. Glacial lakes under Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), ancient Celtic gorges in the Brecon Beacons, white-sand beaches that look like the Caribbean until the temperature reminds you where you are. It's all here.

This map is a work in progress, built with the help of swimmers across Cymru. We've verified some spots directly; others come from the wild swimming community and are flagged as unverified until we've checked them. If you know a spot we've missed, or something's changed, tell us.

Think of this as a living map, built by swimmers, for swimmers.

We spent time in Wales. We know what it gives you.

The Pembrokeshire coast on a calm morning is something else entirely — seals on the rocks, dolphins in the bay, water clearer than you'd believe. Aberpoeth Sawna on a winter afternoon, coffee in hand. Llyn Padarn at dawn with Snowdon above and nobody else on the water.

Wales rewards the swimmer who pays attention to the tide, reads the conditions and picks their moment. The Gower, the Llŷn Peninsula, the Ceredigion coast — these are some of the finest swim landscapes in Britain.

This isn't an exhaustive list. It's a starter — tell us yours. We know some spots are better left quiet, and if you spot a mistake, we want to know.

Zoom in, then tap a float to open a spot and scroll down for its details. Or use the search box and filters up top (region, water type, sauna, accessibility). Solid floats are verified; hollow floats are community spots we've not yet checked.

Cold, wet, half-changed in a car park?The Wild Changer is built for exactly that moment. Shop now Know a better spot? Suggest a dip →

All water comes with risk. Check conditions and tides, never swim alone, and get in slowly. Respect access rights and leave no trace. / Mae pob dŵr yn cynnwys risg.

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Wild swimming spots in Wales / Nofio gwyllt yng Nghymru

Our interactive map features wild swimming spots across Wales and counting, including sea swims, lakes, rivers, tidal pools and waterfalls, many with saunas, parking and toilets nearby. Browse the full list by region below, or use the map above to find your nearest dip.

Wild swimming in North Wales & Eryri (Snowdonia)

Llyn Padarn (Llanberis, Eryri, lake). The only inland freshwater lake in Wales with NRW designated bathing water status. Backed by Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), with easy shore entry at Padarn Country Park.
Llyn Cwm Llwch (Pen y Fan, Bannau Brycheiniog, lake). A glacial lake under the highest peaks in southern Britain — cold, remote, and earned on a 30-minute uphill walk from Cwm Gwdi.
Llyn Cau, Cadair Idris (Cadair Idris, Eryri, lake). Dramatic mountain lake in the cirque below Cadair Idris, reached via a mile of rough mountain path from Minffordd.
Fairy Glen, Betws-y-Coed (Betws-y-Coed, Eryri, river). Emerald gorge pools on the Afon Conwy, reached by a short rocky scramble. Atmospheric and busy in summer.

Wild swimming on the Llŷn Peninsula & Anglesey

Porthdinllaen (Pen Llŷn, sea swimming). A perfect NT sandy cove, walk-in only, with seals and the legendary Tŷ Coch Inn at the water's edge.
Porthor (Whistling Sands) (Pen Llŷn, sea swimming). The beach where the sand squeaks. Remote and enchanting — calm days only.
Harlech Beach (Harlech, Gwynedd, sea swimming). Below Harlech Castle (UNESCO). Home of the Bluetits Chill Swimmers, welcoming to all.

Wild swimming in Mid Wales & Cambrians

Y Borth Beach (Borth Beach) (Y Borth, Ceredigion, sea swimming). Three miles of Blue Flag sand. Lifeguarded in summer. Submerged prehistoric forest at extreme low tide.
Aberaeron Harbour Beach (Aberaeron, Ceredigion, sea swimming). Sheltered harbour beach in a pretty Georgian town. Step-free access.
Llyn y Fan Fach (Carmarthen Fan, Bannau Brycheiniog, lake). Remote glacial lake below the Carmarthen Fans ridge — 4-mile hike each way. One of the most isolated swims in Wales.
River Wye at Glasbury (Afon Gwy, Glasbury) (Glasbury-on-Wye, Powys, river). Wide and popular. Check NRW water quality data before swimming — Wye faces significant agricultural and sewage pressures.
The Warren, Hay-on-Wye (Y Gelli Gandryll) (Hay-on-Wye, Powys, river). Wales' first designated river bathing water (NRW). NRW 2025 classification: sufficient. Check live data before swimming.
River Wye at Brecon (Afon Gwy, Aberhonddu) (Brecon, Powys, river). Popular stretch near the Boat House. Check NRW water quality data before swimming.

Wild swimming in Pembrokeshire & West Wales

Whitesands Beach (Traeth Porthmawr) (St Davids, Pembrokeshire, sea swimming). Below Carn Llidi on the St Davids Peninsula. Popular surf beach with dolphins offshore.
Barafundle Bay (Pembrokeshire Coast, sea swimming). Routinely named among Britain's most beautiful beaches. Walk-in only from Stackpole Quay NT car park.
Aberpoeth Beach (Traeth Aberporth) (Aberporth, Ceredigion, sea swimming). Sauna nearby. Sheltered double bay with dolphins and the brilliant Aberpoeth Sawna beach sauna.
Broad Haven South (Bosherston, Pembrokeshire, sea swimming). Sheltered sandy beach via 1-mile walk through Stackpole Estate, with the Bosherston Lily Ponds on the way.
Newgale Beach (Traeth Niwgwl) (Newgale, Pembrokeshire, sea swimming). Two miles of Atlantic-facing sand. Surf beach with a year-round open-water community.

Wild swimming in South Wales & Gower

Caswell Bay (Bae Caswell) (Gower Peninsula, sea swimming). Britain's first AONB. Classic Gower bay, lifeguarded in season, step-free access.
Tor Bay (Bae Tor) (Gower Peninsula, sea swimming). Quieter, wilder Gower bay. 20-minute walk from Penmaen. Experienced swimmers only.
Rhossili Bay (Traeth Rhosili) (Rhossili, Gower, sea swimming). Three miles of wild Atlantic sand at western Gower. Worm's Head offshore. One of Wales's iconic swim beaches.
Three Cliffs Bay (Gower Peninsula, sea swimming). Three limestone pinnacles; 45-minute walk in. The most photographed beach in Wales.
Llandegfedd Lake (Pontypool, Torfaen, lake). Managed open-water swim site, Dŵr Cymru (Welsh Water). Lifeguarded sessions. Swim Wales S.A.F.E. Cymru accredited. Booking required.
Sgwd Gwladys (Lady Falls) (Pontneddfechan, Bannau Brycheiniog, waterfall). 20-foot waterfall into a deep pool in ancient Celtic rainforest. Part of the Four Falls walk.
River Usk at Crickhowell (Afon Wysg) (Crickhowell, Powys, river). Multiple access points through a pretty market town. Popular with locals.