'Rare and special' UK beach with singing sands bordering crystal clear water
Nestled within North Wales's Llŷn Peninsula lies one of Britain's most extraordinary beaches, Porthor. Dubbed 'Whistling Sands' by many, this remarkable stretch of coastline boasts a peculiar characteristic - the sand actually whistles beneath your feet as you walk.
As one of merely two European beaches where this extraordinary phenomenon occurs, Porthor - or Porth Oer as it's known locally - stands as an essential destination for any traveller. Walking holiday experts Mickledore have emphasised that Porthor captivates visitors with its unusual acoustic properties, spectacular scenery, and convenient accessibility.
The experts add: "Porthor's gentle 'song' is rare and beautiful. It turns a simple walk into something magical. Where else can you step on the sand and have it sing back to you?"
Alongside its singing sands, Porthor offers stunning views of the small islands of Dinas Bach and Dinas Fawr, where grey seals are sometimes spotted.
The beach also sits in a n ideal spot for Wales Coast Path walkers, acting as an excellent launching point for treks to Mynydd Anelog, another site offering spectacular panoramas.
Visitors hoping to witness the 'whistling sands' phenomenon must time their trip perfectly. Head there on a dry day, stroll above the high tide mark, and either shuffle your feet or tread gently - that's when you might catch the distinctive squeak or whistle.
Beachgoers have been singing the praises of this unique spot on TripAdvisor. One visitor gushed: "This was our favourite beach on Llyn. Perhaps more of a 'squeak' than a whistling beach but sure enough if you walk across the sand bare foot you'll hear it! Dramatic location, crystal clear waters, lovely soft squeaky sand!"
Another fan penned: "What a lovely sandy beach, great car park, lovely views with rock pools and a cave for the children to explore. Could hear the sand whistling under our feet, well worth a visit."
However, one visitor who missed out on the 'whistling' still had positive words to share: "Beautiful beach well worth a visit. Lovely coffee and cake served in the cafe. Sand was quite wet so I didn't get the whistling experience."
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