Caerfai Bay

Dog Friendly Beach. Not Easy Access. No Lifeguards

Caerfai, the nearest beach to St Davids, is popular for residents and visitors and can be great for swimming, rockpooling and snorkelling. It's south-facing and quite sheltered.

At high tide it consists entirely of rocks and boulders, but sand is revealed as the tide goes out. The bay is surrounded by impressive but unstable sandstone cliffs, and you can see evidence of rock-falls.

There are several caves which you can explore, as well as interesting rock pools, but be careful not to get cut off by the rising tide.

 

Beach Awards

Green Coast Award. Visit the Keep Wales Tidy website for more information on the Wales Coast Awards.

 

Facilities

None at the beach but city of St Davids around one mile away has all the usual facilities, including at the National Park Authority-run Oriel y Parc Gallery and Visitor Centre. There is a small shop near the car park which is open during the main tourist season. All other facilities including toilets, public houses, cafes, restaurants and a plentiful supply of a range of accommodation can be found in St Davids. There are no bins so please take your rubbish home and help keep Caerfai beautiful.

 

Dog friendly?

Dogs are allowed year round. There is a responsibility for dog owners to clean up after their dogs on the whole of this site.

 

Easy Access?

No. Access to the beach is via a steep path from the car park above the beach.

 

Getting there

You can get to Caerfai by bike, with the Celtic Trail passing within two miles. Visit the Sustrans website for more information on the Celtic Trail.

It’s less than a one mile walk from St David’s. Access to the beach is via a steep path from the car park above the beach, please take care. The beach is part of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path National Trail. Visit the Coast Path section of this website to find out more. 

The Celtic Coaster Coastal Bus stops at Oriel y Parc Gallery and Visitor Centre, less than a mile from Caerfai. Visit the Pembrokeshire County Council website for bus timetables.

By car, Caerfai is signposted from the A487 on the Eastern outskirts of St Davids. There is a free car park situated above the beach with space for around 50 cars. It can become congested at peak times. Try the walk in from St Davids.

 

Safety advice

  • There are no Lifeguards at this beach. Please visit the RNLI website to find your nearest lifeguarded beach.
  • Wherever possible, always swim at a lifeguarded beach.
  • Always read and obey the safety signs, usually found at the entrance to the beach. These will help you avoid potential hazards on the beach and identify the safest areas for swimming.
  • When on a lifeguarded beach, find the red and yellow flags and always swim or bodyboard between them – this area is patrolled by lifeguards.
  • Never swim alone. If you get in trouble, stick your hand in the air and shout for help. If you see someone in difficulty, never attempt a rescue. Tell a lifeguard or, if you can’t see a lifeguard, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

 

Byelaws

  • Pembrokeshire County Council Bathing Water Byelaws apply to the whole area off this beach. These include a speed limit.
  • Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority byelaws apply to the whole of the foreshore on this beach. Visit our byelaws page to find out more.

Find this beach

Grid ref: SM760243 Postcode: SA62 6QT