#683 European Rank
Barafundle Bay
Pembrokeshire, Wales, United Kingdom•Atlantic Ocean• Best Season: June, July, August, September
Photo: User:JKMMX (CC BY 3.0) · Wikimedia Commons source
Day-of-Visit Snapshot
3-Second Operational AnswersEDITORIAL SCORE
4.07/ 5.0
SEA TEMPERATURE
16.6°C
August 30-year average
DAILY BUDGET
€44/day
SAND & SHORELINE
Golden Sand
Gradual Drop
Live Open-Meteo European Feed
Morning Beach Pulse & Marine Telemetry
Wind-Exposed
Gentle Wave Action
Exposed to Onshore Surf & ChopCove aspect: Faces W (270°) · Wind: W (270°)
Onshore wind (12 km/h) is pushing open-sea swell directly into the bay, creating active breaking waves and reduced visibility.
Significant Wave Height
...
Good Swimming
Swell Profile
...
Reading buoy...
Live Surface Wind
...
W (270°) · ONSHORE
UV & Air Temperature
...
UV 5 · Moderate (SPF 30)
Cove Aspect & Shelter Compass
Seaward Orientation vs. Live Wind DirectionCove Faces W (270°)
Onshore Wind • Waves and surface chop pushed into the beach
Shoreline Facing (θ_aspect)
W (270°)
Open Sea Exposure
Surface Wind Vector
W (270°)
12 km/h · Δθ = 0°
Spatial Geometry: Wind from W pushes unobstructed over the open sea directly onto the W-facing coast, generating breaking chop.
Morning Coastal Brief for Barafundle Bay: Light coastal break; family friendly with standard water awareness. Onshore wind (12 km/h) is pushing open-sea swell directly into the bay, creating active breaking waves and reduced visibility. Models update sub-daily via Open-Meteo European marine models.
Interactive Oceanographic Climatology
Seasonal Sea Warmth & Bathing Climatology
30-Year NOAA OISST v2.1 Monthly Normals (1991–2020) · Pembrokeshire, Wales, United Kingdom
Crisp & Bracing
Early August
16.6°C
Air ~27°C
Short dips only; spring wetsuit recommended
Invigorating cold dip. Swimmers generally wear a shorty wetsuit for sessions over 10–15 minutes.
Drag to scrub 12-month temperature curveEarly August · 16.6°C
| Month | Sea Surface Temp | Air Temp | Thermal Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9.0°C | 13°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| February | 8.2°C | 14°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| March | 8.1°C | 16°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| April | 9.2°C | 19°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| May | 11.1°C | 22°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| June | 13.4°C | 25°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| July | 15.4°C | 27°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| August | 16.6°C | 27°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| September | 16.3°C | 25°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| October | 14.9°C | 22°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| November | 12.9°C | 18°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| December | 10.7°C | 15°C | Crisp & Bracing |
NOAA OISST v2.1 30-year climatological normal (1991–2020).Explore all United Kingdom Sea Temperatures
Swimmability Window · NOAA Climatology
Peak 16.6°C in August · cold-water plunge / wetsuit season
Planning around peak water warmth (16.6°C)?
Lock in coastal villas and boutique stays near Barafundle Bay for the optimal June–July–August–September swimming window.
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Quick Summary
Preview
🏖️ Barafundle Bay (Pembrokeshire, Wales, United Kingdom)
🌊 Water temperature: 16.6°C
⛱️ Beach access: 100% free public sand • Sunbeds: €0–€0
🧭 Wind & shelter: Faces W (sheltered from E winds)
📍 Guide: https://shores.cc/beach/barafundle-bay-gb/Tip: Add this beach to your home screen to quickly check morning wind and water conditions before heading out.
EEA Bathing Water Directive 2006/7/EC
Bathing Water Purity & Statutory Standards
Status: Good
Microbial Water Purity
95th-Percentile Compliant
Escherichia coli & intestinal enterococci within statutory limits.
Bathing Directive Tier
Tier 1: Sufficient & Safe
Monitored across the official European bathing season.
Official European Environment Agency (EEA) water monitoring verifies recreational cleanliness, sewage absence, and safety standards across all 31 member and partner coastal nations.
Score Breakdown
Scenery & Setting4.6 / 5
Water Clarity & Cleanliness4.5 / 5
Sand & Shoreline Quality4.7 / 5
Atmosphere & Safety4.6 / 5
Accessibility & Entry Ease4.2 / 5
Affordability & Fair Pricing4.6 / 5
About Barafundle Bay
A Caribbean-looking crescent of golden sand hidden beyond a clifftop walk on the Welsh coast.
Destination Advisory & Classificationcold-water destination (16.6°C peak) — aesthetic/scenic ranking rather than warm swimming
Key Beach Facts
Official Records•Access: Accessible solely on foot via a 0.5-mile cliff path from Stackpole Quay with steep stone steps.
•Protected Status / Environment: Owned and managed by the National Trust within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
•Notable Feature: Secluded east-facing cove with golden sand and crystal-clear water, frequently compared to Caribbean beaches.
Official Tourism Authorities:visitwales.com
Sand Transparency & Sunbed Index
Public sand quota, private lido density, and legal towel placement rights
Wide Open Public Sand
Free Public Sand (100%)Private Concessions (0%)
2-Sunbed + Umbrella Set Rate
Free (100% Public)
No commercial loungers; bring your own parasol and beach mat.
Towel Bather Guidance
Abundant unencumbered shoreline. Free towel placement everywhere with minimal commercial footprint.
Legal Shoreline Rights: 100% open public coastline. No commercial sunbed concessions or umbrella installations permitted.
Arrival Logistics, Parking & Sun Exposure
Micro-logistics, parking payment taxonomy, and topographic shadow schedules.
Parking Payment & Rates
Typical Rate: ~€8/day
EasyPark AppPayByPhone App
EasyPark mobile app is widely supported across blue-line municipal zones.
Sun Exposure & Cliff Shadows
Morning Shade • Late Afternoon Golden Hours
Faces westward into the open horizon, offering bright afternoon sun and prime sunset vantage points.
Footwear & Karst Protection
Unnecessary (Soft Natural Sand)
Fine powder or golden sand allows comfortable barefoot wading into shallow depths.
Amenities & Facilities
Bathrooms
NoShowers
NoFree Parking
NoFood / Tavernas
YesGood for Kids
NoDog Friendly
YesLifeguard on Duty
NoSunbed & Umbrella Rentals
NoNatural Cliff/Pine Shade
YesWheelchair Accessible
NoSnorkeling & Watersports
NoNudist / FKK Friendly
YesGetting There & Local Notes
Getting there:
Located near Pembrokeshire, Wales. Accessible via regional coastal roads (51.618°N, -4.892°E).
Discreet Utility: Rough Road & Trail Access
Reaching Barafundle Bay involves dirt tracks or steep trails. Booking a rental SUV or 4x4 provides higher clearance for unpaved coastal roads.
•Sheltered and swimmable, though bracing.
•Dunes, pine trees and clifftop coast path with no road access.
Nearest Airport & Transit Gateway
INTL · 40m driveConvenient highway or local transit access across Pembrokeshire, Wales, United Kingdom.
Are you a Venue Owner or Promoter at Barafundle Bay?
Promote your beach club, summer residency, or submit photo & data updates to Shores.
Frequently Asked Questions about Barafundle Bay
What is the water temperature at Barafundle Bay?
The peak summer sea surface temperature at Barafundle Bay averages 16.6°C (62°F), based on 30-year NOAA satellite climatology.
What type of coast or sand is Barafundle Bay?
Barafundle Bay is classified as a golden sand shoreline located in Pembrokeshire, Wales, United Kingdom.
Is Barafundle Bay good for families with kids?
Barafundle Bay has steeper entry or natural coastal features better suited for confident swimmers.
Are there parking and facilities at Barafundle Bay?
Parking arrangements vary locally. No public restrooms directly on-site.
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