The utterly unique North Wales beach where only one group leaves negative reviews
Situated on the wilder north coast between Aberdaron and the increasingly popular Porth Iago the beach is famously known as 'Whistling Sands' in English.
The reason behind this is the sounds the sand (sometimes) makes while people walk along. National Trust - who own the beach - say it is derived from the squeak or whistle emitted by the peculiar shaped sand particles being rubbed together when walked on in warm weather.
The sound can be made by stamping or sliding your feet on dry sand. According to Visit Wales it is one of only two beaches in Europe where people can experience this. (The other is Singing Sands Beach on the Isle of Eigg, Scotland)
It does not squeak on demand as the conditions need to be right so don't be too disappointed if you miss out. The good news is that there is so much more to the beach than the noise it makes underfoot.
It's a stunning spot on a peninsula with its fair share of glorious sandy bays. In addition it doesn't tend to get as busy as some others so people can usually find a decent stretch of sand for themselves.
The coastal path can take walkers along the coastline in either direction with seals a common sight and dolphins as well from time to time. The area around the beach is a stronghold for birds like the Chough, Razorbills, Guillemots, Kittiwakes, Cormorants, Shags and Yellowhammers.
In addition there's the remnants of a lime kiln on the path just off the beach. This is a glimpse into the past as Porthor was once a busy port, importing lime and coal. These type of beach kilns were generally used to convert limestone to quicklime by burning it, used for construction and to reduce soil acidity.
In return it dispatched farm goods such as butter, cheese, eggs and poultry. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now
The water itself is obviously another pull - with clear blue waters on a sunny day. It doesn't have the large breakers you might get at Porth Neigwl (Hells Mouth) on the other side of the Llyn but there is the potential for bodyboarding or some surfing in the right conditions.
There is even a very well rated cafe next to the beach for refreshments after the fresh air and activities have tired you out.
The reviews are glowing and there is only one group that take issue with the beach - or rather one of the rules imposed. This is when it's worth mentioning the car park charges (£5) unless National Trust members and also the dog ban from April 1 to September 30.
When it comes to the very many good and excellent reviews (260 out of 290 of the reviews on Tripadvisor) words that pop out are "gem", and "stunning".
One recent review said: "We visited Porthor Beach recently and had a lovely time soaking in the natural beauty of the place. The beach itself is stunning – clean, peaceful, and set against a gorgeous backdrop of rolling hills. It's ideal for a relaxed day out, with crystal-clear water and soft, golden sand.
"Despite its nickname 'Whistling Sands,' the sand wasn't whistling during our visit – maybe it depends on the weather or how dry the sand is. Still, it was a scenic and peaceful spot well worth the trip."
Another said: "Beautiful, tucked away gem of a beach. Bit busy when we arrived,(late afternoon ), so would get there early morning next time. Stunning views, crystal clear turquoise water which is shallow till a long way out.
"If this beach was on the Med it would be surrounded by tourist hotels. Would definitely go again."
It is certainly well deserving of its 4.6 out of 5 rating on Tripadvisor.
With the small minority who don't leave sparkling reviews there is a common theme. It is not so much the beach they don't like but the no dogs rule, with odd moans over the £5 parking fee.
One angry reviewer said: "What is it with the National Trust and dogs? We used to be members but when we got a pooch we discovered there are restrictions and no go areas at nearly all NT sites. Most dog owners are responsible and clean up after their pups but it seems none of us are to be trusted! Really disappointing to drive all the way to the car park to be told dogs are not allowed on most of the beach."
Another added: "Sadly you can't take your dog on the beach, no matter how well behaved they are, so we had a wasted trip. A real shame as the beach is long enough to allow them at the far end."
One dog owner said: "£5 to park, irrespective of how long! Fine for a day out, but extortionate for a walk down the road to the beach and back (because info boards in the car park say vaguely 'dogs welcome except for summer months' and then you get to the beach where another board tells you 'summer' is April 1st - 30th September and that if you contravene the dog ban you risk a £1000 fine). The beach itself is beautiful, but so is every other beach on the Llŷn Peninsula and from my experience, all the others are much less hostile to dog owners. I suggest NT update the board in the car park and give me my £5 back."
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Low Newton - Northumbrian Water - Excellent Roker, Sunderland - Northumbrian Water - Excellent Seaton Carew North Gare - Northumbrian Water - Excellent South Shields - Northumbrian Water - Good Ansteys Cove, Torquay - South West Water - Excellent Berrow North of Unity Farm - South West Water - Good Boobys Bay - South West Water - Excellent Bovisand - South West Water - Excellent Brean - South West Water - Good Broadsands Beach - South West Water - Excellent Chapel Porth - South West Water - Excellent Church Cove - South West Water - Excellent Combesgate Beach - South West Water - Excellent Constantine Bay Beach - South West Water - Excellent Crinnis Beach (Carlyon Bay) - South West Water - Excellent Daymer Bay - South West Water - Excellent Great Western - South West Water - Excellent Gwynver - South West Water - Excellent Hartland Quay - South West Water - Excellent Hayle Towans - South West Water - Excellent Ilfracombe Tunnels - South West Water - Excellent Kennack Sands - South West Water - Excellent Ladram Bay - South West Water - Excellent Lusty Glaze - South West Water - Excellent Maenporth - South West Water - Good Maidencombe - South West Water - Excellent Mother Ivey's Bay - South West Water - Excellent Ness Cove - South West Water - Excellent Northcott Mouth - South West Water - Excellent Oddicombe - South West Water - Excellent Pendower - South West Water - Excellent Penzance - South West Water - Good Perranporth Penhale Sands - South West Water - Excellent Polkerris - South West Water - Good Porthcothan - South West Water - Excellent Porthmeor Beach - South West Water - Excellent Praa Sands - South West Water - Excellent Praa Sands East - South West Water - Excellent Putsborough - South West Water - Excellent Sandymouth Bay Beach - South West Water - Excellent Saunton Sands - South West Water - Excellent Sharrow Beach - South West Water - Excellent Sidmouth Jacobs Ladder - South West Water - Excellent Slapton Sands Monument - South West Water - Excellent Tolcarne - South West Water - Excellent Tregonhawke - South West Water - Excellent Treyarnon Bay - South West Water - Excellent Upton Towans - South West Water - Excellent Vault Beach - South West Water - Excellent Watcombe - South West Water - Excellent Wherrytown - South West Water - Good Goring Beach - Southern Water - Sufficient Rottingdean Beach - Southern Water - Good Formby - United Utilities - Excellent Silecroft - United Utilities - Excellent Abereiddy - Welsh Water - Excellent Borth Beach - Welsh Water - Excellent Borth Wen Beach (Borthwen) - Welsh Water - Good Broad Haven (South) - Welsh Water - Excellent Church Bay - Welsh Water - Excellent Freshwater West - Welsh Water - Excellent Llanddona - Welsh Water - Good Llanddwyn - Welsh Water - Excellent Llandudno North Shore - Welsh Water - Sufficient Llandudno West Shore - Welsh Water - Good Marloes Sands - Welsh Water - Excellent Morfa Dinlle - Welsh Water - Excellent Oxwich Bay - Welsh Water - Good Penbryn Beach - Welsh Water - Excellent Porth Nefyn - Welsh Water - Good Porth Neigwl - Welsh Water - Excellent Sandy Haven - Welsh Water - Excellent Silver Bay (Traeth Llydan) - Welsh Water - Excellent Southerndown Beach (Dunraven Bay) - Welsh Water - Excellent Tal-y-Bont - Welsh Water - Excellent Whitesands Bay - Welsh Water - Excellent Bournemouth Alum Chine - Wessex Water - Excellent Bournemouth Durley Chine - Wessex Water - Excellent Bournemouth Southbourne - Wessex Water - Excellent Christchurch Mudeford Sandbank East - Wessex Water - Excellent Church Ope Cove - Wessex Water - Excellent Durdle Door East - Wessex Water - Excellent Durdle Door West - Wessex Water - Excellent Henleaze Lake - Wessex Water - Good Hive Beach - Wessex Water - Excellent Kimmeridge Bay - Wessex Water - Excellent Lulworth Cove - Wessex Water - Excellent Poole Canford Cliffs Chine - Wessex Water - Excellent Poole Harbour Lake - Wessex Water - Excellent Porlock Weir - Wessex Water - Excellent Shell Bay North - Wessex Water - Excellent Studland Knoll House - Wessex Water - Excellent Weymouth Central - Wessex Water - Good Swimfo advises against bathing in these particular waters around England and Wales According to the Environment Agency's online tool Swimfo, these are the bathing waters where taking a dip is not advised, or there's permanent advice against swimming... For more information and updates on bathing waters go to: Swimfo Tynemouth Cullercoats Littlehaven Beach Scarborough South Bay Blackpool North St Annes North Bridlington South Beach Heacham Clacton (Groyne 41) Deal Castle Dymchurch Littlestone Worthing Beach House Bognor Regis (Aldwick) Southsea East Lyme Regis Church Cliff Beach Coastguards Beach, Erme Estuary Porthluney Instow Ilfracombe Wildersmouth Dunster Beach Blue Anchor West Burnham Jetty North Weston-super-Mare Uphill Slipway Weston Main Weston-super-Mare Sand Bay
