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

• Llyn Padarn (Llanberis, Eryri, lake). NRW designated bathing water. Stunning views of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) across the water, with easy entry from Padarn Country Park. Toilets and food nearby.
• Llyn Cwm Llwch (Pen y Fan, Bannau Brycheiniog, lake). Glacial lake under the highest peaks in southern Britain. 30-minute uphill walk from Cwm Gwdi. Cold, deep and remote.
• Llyn Cau, Cadair Idris (Cadair Idris, Eryri, lake). Dramatic mountain lake on the Minffordd Path. 1-mile rough mountain path from Minffordd car park.
• Fairy Glen, Betws-y-Coed (Betws-y-Coed, Eryri, river). Ravine of emerald pools on the River Conwy. Rocky scramble in; lively after heavy rain.
• Penmaenmawr Beach (Penmaenmawr, Conwy, sea). Long quiet North Wales beach, car park right on the sand. Step-free ramp. Mountain views inland, Conwy Bay ahead. Easy off the A55.

Wild swimming in Llŷn Peninsula & Anglesey

• Porthdinllaen (Pen Llŷn, sea). Perfect National Trust sandy cove, walk-in only. Seals, oystercatchers, Tŷ Coch Inn at the water's edge.
• Porthor (Whistling Sands) (Pen Llŷn, sea). The sand squeaks underfoot. Remote and enchanting. Seasonal café and toilets at NT car park.
• Harlech Beach (Harlech, Gwynedd, sea). Below Harlech Castle (UNESCO). Home of the Bluetits Chill Swimmers. Step-free access.
• Porth Tyn Tywyn (Sawna Bach Beach) (Rhosneigr, Anglesey, sea). Sauna. Wild, dune-backed beach south of Rhosneigr — home of Sawna Bach®, North Wales' original wood-fired outdoor sauna. Free parking for sauna guests.
• Traeth Mawr, Cemaes Bay (Cemaes Bay, Anglesey, sea). Sheltered sandy cove with small harbour on Anglesey's north coast — the most northerly village in Wales. Two car parks, toilets, dog friendly. Kayaking, SUP, families.
• Traeth Morfa Nefyn (Morfa Nefyn, Gwynedd, sea). Quiet beach on the Llŷn with mountain views and a beach pub round the corner. NT car park. Dog friendly. Short coast path walk to Porthdinllaen.
• Beaumaris Beach (Seacoast Sauna) (Beaumaris, Anglesey, sea). Sauna. Menai Strait beach looking across to Snowdonia. Seacoast Sauna on site — wood-fired barrel with hot tub and cold plunge. Year-round including evening sessions. Beaumaris Castle (UNESCO) in the village.

Wild swimming in Mid Wales & Cambrians

• Y Borth Beach (Borth Beach) (Y Borth, Ceredigion, sea). Three miles of Blue Flag sand, lifeguarded in summer. Submerged prehistoric forest at extreme low tide.
• Aberaeron Harbour Beach (Aberaeron, Ceredigion, sea). Sheltered harbour beach in pretty Georgian town. Step-free access.
• Llyn y Fan Fach (Carmarthen Fan, Bannau Brycheiniog, lake). Remote glacial lake below Carmarthen Fans ridge. 4-mile hike each way. Glacially cold.
• River Wye at Glasbury (Afon Gwy) (Glasbury-on-Wye, Powys, river). Wide popular stretch of the Wye at Glasbury Bridge. Lee verified: swam here June 2026. Check NRW water quality before swimming.
• 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 before swimming.
• River Wye at Brecon (Afon Gwy, Aberhonddu) (Brecon, Powys, river). Popular stretch near the Boat House. Lee verified: swam here June 2026. Check NRW water quality.
• Berriew, River Rhiw (Berriew, Welshpool, Powys, river). Deep plunge pool beside a small waterfall in one of the prettiest villages in Powys. Park by the pub and walk to the river. Slippy rocks — take care.
• Aberystwyth North Beach & Aberpoeth Sawna (Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, sea). Sauna. Victorian promenade beach at the foot of Constitution Hill. Aberpoeth Sawna at the north end of the prom — wood-fired, year-round, direct sea access. Lee verified: fabulous. Pysgoty and Ultracomida for food.
• Llangrannog Beach (Sawna Llosgi) (Llangrannog, Ceredigion, sea). Sauna. Dolphins in the bay, proper Ceredigion cove on the Wales Coast Path. Sawna Llosgi wood-fired sauna on the beach — founded by local surfers. Pentre Arms and Ship Inn in the village.

Wild swimming in Pembrokeshire & West Wales

• Whitesands Beach (Traeth Porthmawr) (St Davids, Pembrokeshire, sea). Beneath Carn Llidi on the St Davids Peninsula. Popular surf beach. Toilets and café at car park.
• Barafundle Bay (Pembrokeshire Coast, sea). Routinely named among the most beautiful beaches in Britain. Walk-in only — half mile from Stackpole Quay NT car park.
• Aberpoeth Beach (Traeth Aberporth) (Aberporth, Ceredigion, sea). Sauna nearby. Sheltered double bay with dolphins in the bay. Aberpoeth Sawna on site — wood-fired beach sauna. Lee verified: fabulous.
• Broad Haven South (Bosherston, Pembrokeshire, sea). Sheltered sandy beach via 1-mile walk through Stackpole Estate from Bosherston. Bosherston Lily Ponds on the walk in.
• Newgale Beach (Traeth Niwgwl) (Newgale, Pembrokeshire, sea). Sauna. Two miles of Atlantic-facing sand. Surf beach with year-round open-water community. Wildwater Sauna on the beach in summer — wood-fired, 55-min sessions.
• Saundersfoot Harbour Beach (Hwyl Sauna) (Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire, sea). Sauna. Sheltered south-facing harbour beach. Hwyl Outdoor Sauna by the slipway — shared from £9. Tenby 5 minutes away.

Wild swimming in South Wales & Gower

• Caswell Bay (Bae Caswell) (Gower Peninsula, Swansea, sea). Britain's first AONB. Lifeguarded in season. Step-free access.
• Tor Bay (Bae Tor) (Gower Peninsula, Swansea, sea). Quieter bay — 20-minute walk from Penmaen. No lifeguards. Strong rip currents possible.
• Rhossili Bay (Traeth Rhosili) (Rhossili, Gower, sea). Three miles of wild Atlantic sand at the western tip of Gower. Worm's Head offshore. NT car park and café at village.
• Three Cliffs Bay (Gower Peninsula, Swansea, sea). Three limestone pinnacles — most photographed beach in Wales. 45-minute walk in. Tidal river crossing on approach.
• Llandegfedd Lake (Pontypool, Torfaen, lake). Managed open-water swim site, Dŵr Cymru (Welsh Water). Lifeguarded sessions, booking required. Swim Wales S.A.F.E. Cymru accredited.
• Sgwd Gwladys (Lady Falls) (Pontneddfechan, Bannau Brycheiniog, waterfall). 20-foot waterfall into deep pool in ancient Celtic rainforest. 30-minute riverside walk. Part of Waterfall Country trail.
• River Usk at Crickhowell (Afon Wysg) (Crickhowell, Powys, river). Multiple access points on the Usk through pretty market town. Popular with locals. Crickhowell is excellent for food.
• Radyr Weir, River Taff (Radyr, Cardiff, river). Wild swim within Cardiff city limits — park at Forest Farm Country Park, walk upstream to the weir. Steps in, decent depth. Swim upstream of the weir only.
• Oxwich Bay (Tŷ Sawna) (Oxwich, Gower, sea). Sauna. Two and a half miles of golden sand on the Gower, National Nature Reserve behind. Tŷ Sawna barrel sauna right on the beach. Michelin-starred Beach House restaurant on site. Car park direct to beach.