Saundersfoot – Coast, Trails and Water Sports

Saundersfoot combines coastal scenery, trail experiences, industrial history and water sports within a compact area. The bay is sheltered from most wind directions, while Saundersfoot Beach is wide and shallow, remains sandy at low tide and offers plenty of space even at high tide. For planning your trip, the question is therefore less about choosing a single highlight and more about finding the right mix of beach, activity, history and things to do on the water.

Trails between fields, village streets and tunnels

The Saundersfoot Short Walk is 3.2 miles, or 5.2 kilometres, long and takes 1 hour and 30 minutes. Its route passes through fields, past grazing livestock and along village streets. This makes it easy to fit a walk into your daily itinerary without having to set aside an entire day for hiking.

The Wales Coast Path near Saundersfoot offers a different trail experience. It follows a former railway line through several narrow tunnels. The historic use of this route remains a distinctive part of the trail. Anyone interested in different ways of getting around can consider the Short Walk and the coastal path as separate ideas for planning their trip.

Beach and practical information

Saundersfoot Beach is one of the 18 accessible beaches in Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Access is via the main concrete ramp next to the Harbour Car Park. The Harbour Car Park has disabled parking spaces close to the beach. During the summer season, a beach wheelchair can be borrowed directly at Saundersfoot Harbour.

The ramp, disabled parking spaces and the beach wheelchair available to borrow during the summer season provide practical guidance for planning your beach visit. At the same time, the coastal scenery changes: at low tide, the sandy area becomes clearly visible, while at high tide there is still plenty of space on the wide beach. You can therefore choose a holiday apartment or other accommodation in Saundersfoot according to the combination of beach days, walks and other experiences you want.

Water sports and excursions from the harbour

At Saundersfoot Harbour, the Outer Reef Water Sports Centre offers kayaking, SUP, coasteering and surfing, as well as equipment hire. Outer Reef also offers SUP and kayaking adventures throughout South Pembrokeshire from Saundersfoot Harbour. Good Trails Paddleboarding runs all its courses on calm waters. This gives you several ways to experience Saundersfoot from the water without having to fit every activity into a single day.

The Saundersfoot Sea Safari also departs from Saundersfoot Harbour and travels along the coast every day. Wildlife and scenery can be seen on the excursions. Those who prefer observing to paddling themselves can choose this as a different perspective on the coast. Regular events at Saundersfoot Beach also include the World Cawl cooking championships, which give the town a distinctive culinary touch.

Industrial history and family activities

The Saundersfoot Conservation Area is of outstanding historical importance and preserves extensive evidence of the industrial past. The Welcome & Heritage Centre presents the history of coal mining in Saundersfoot. The Crabbing Centre is a free family activity with wheelchair access and safety railings. This means a stay can also be complemented by cultural and community experiences when the programme is not to focus solely on the beach and water sports.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Saundersfoot, it is worth considering how you want to structure your days: Would you like to include the Short Walk, explore the coastal path with its tunnels, use the beach, discover history or spend time at the harbour?

More places to consider when planning your trip

If you would like to compare additional destinations, you can also look at Stackpole, Narberth, Wisemans Bridge, St David's, Fishguard, Clarbeston, Houghton and Pembroke Dock.

For the overarching travel overview: Pembrokeshire.