The beach is entirely cut off from the mainland at high tide, transforming St Catherine’s Island into a true offshore island.
The cliffside directly above the beach is home to the remains of a 13th-century stone fortification.
Castle Beach was named 'Beach of the Year' by the Sunday Times in 2019.
A small fort, St Catherine's Fort, sits on the island and was built in the 1860s to protect the Royal Dockyard at Pembroke.
The beach is one of four distinct sandy bays surrounding the Tenby peninsula.
Castle Beach is a tidal beach located in Tenby, Pembrokeshire, defined by its direct view of St Catherine’s Island and the ruins of Tenby Castle. At low tide, the beach connects to the base of Castle Hill and provides walking access to St Catherine’s Island. The beach is sheltered by the cliffside and the town's historic defensive walls. It has been awarded the Blue Flag for water quality and environmental management standards. Facilities include seasonal lifeguard patrols and nearby public amenities within the town. The landscape features a mix of golden sand and rock pools exposed during the ebbing tide.
From the top of Castle Hill looking down onto the beach with St Catherine's Island in the background.
Consult local tide tables before visiting to ensure you do not get stranded on the island or cut off by incoming water.
Bring sturdy footwear if planning to explore the rock pools or the rocky causeway leading to the island.
Use the slipway access from the harbor or the steep stairs from Castle Hill for entry.
Attempting to cross to St Catherine’s Island when the tide is rising; the incoming water covers the path quickly.
Dog restrictions on the beach are enforced during the summer months.
Public beach rules apply; remove all litter and keep dogs on leads during specified summer restrictions.
