Pembrokeshire beaches best in Wales with 17 Coast Awards
County scoops highest number of accolades in national environmental honours
PEMBROKESHIRE has been officially named home to the best beaches in Wales, securing a record-breaking 17 Wales Coast Awards in 2025—more than any other part of the country.
The results, released today (Thursday) by environmental charity Keep Wales Tidy, recognise coastal locations across Wales for exceptional environmental standards, excellent water quality, and a commitment to education and sustainability.
Out of the 49 beaches honoured across Wales, Pembrokeshire claimed 10 of the 21 Blue Flag Awards, including well-known locations such as Tenby South and North, Poppit Sands, Broad Haven (North), Newgale, Dale, Whitesands and Coppet Hall.
Saundersfoot and Tenby Castle beaches are also celebrating their 25th consecutive year holding Blue Flag status—an international mark of environmental quality administered by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). All of Pembrokeshire's Blue Flag beaches have successfully retained their awards from last year.
In addition to its Blue Flag successes, Pembrokeshire also leads Wales in the number of Green Coast Awards, which are given to more remote, unspoilt beaches with high environmental standards. Of the 13 Green Coast Awards presented this year, seven went to Pembrokeshire beaches: Aberiddy, Freshwater East, Manorbier, Penally, Caerfai, Druidstone and West Angle Bay.
The Green Coast Award celebrates lesser-known, 'hidden gem' beaches that offer natural beauty alongside excellent water quality and environmental care.
Keep Wales Tidy has managed the Wales Coast Awards for over 20 years. The awards play a vital role in protecting the Welsh marine environment and are internationally recognised as a symbol of quality. To qualify, beaches must meet rigorous criteria on water quality, public information, environmental education, safety, and site management.
In addition to the Blue Flag and Green Coast accolades, 15 beaches across Wales earned the Seaside Award—a UK-only honour that signifies clean, attractive, and well-managed stretches of coastline. This year's Seaside Award winners include Aberystwyth South and North, New Quay Harbour, Aberavon in Neath Port Talbot, and Whitmore Bay and Jackson's Bay in Barry Island.
Owen Derbyshire, Chief Executive of Keep Wales Tidy, praised Pembrokeshire's outstanding performance.
'The Wales Coast Awards are a fantastic celebration of Wales' beautiful and diverse coastline,' he said.
'They are testament to the huge effort of staff and volunteers at sites across Wales. Thank you to everyone who works so hard to protect and preserve our natural landscape in the face of increasingly challenging circumstances.'
Cllr Rhys Sinnett, Cabinet Member for Residents' Services at Pembrokeshire County Council, said: 'We are incredibly proud to once again receive the highest number of Wales Coast Awards.
Pembrokeshire is rightly recognised as being home to some of the world's best beaches, but it takes hard work and year-round commitment to maintain these standards and secure prestigious awards like the Blue Flag and Green Coast.'
'We look forward to welcoming both residents and visitors to our outstanding beaches this summer.'
A full list of this year's award-winning beaches is available on the Keep Wales Tidy website.
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