Family-Friendly Beaches: Safe Swimming, Facilities & Hidden Coves
Perfect for Family beach adventures in Rhosneigr – Anglesey

Featured • June 06, 2025 • Author, Sharon Watkins
There’s something timeless about watching children play at the edge of the sea – that mixture of excitement and trepidation as they dodge incoming waves, the concentration as they build elaborate sandcastles, and the pure joy of discovery as they find their first crab in a rockpool. Here in Rhosneigr, we’ve been welcoming families to our shores for generations, and we know that the best family-friendly beaches in Rhosneigr offer more than just sand and sea. They provide safe swimming, easy access, nearby facilities, and plenty to spark young imaginations. As the summer holidays approach, we’ve gathered our insider tips on the most family-friendly beaches in and around our corner of Anglesey.
What Makes a Beach “Family-Friendly”?
The best family beaches offer gentle shelving and safe swimming conditions, clean and accessible toilets nearby, parking within a reasonable walking distance, refreshment options, interesting features to explore such as rockpools and caves, and space to play games without disturbing others.

Traeth Llydan: Our Local Family Favourite
Traeth Llydan (meaning “Broad Beach”) consistently ranks as our most popular family beach. The expansive golden sand provides ample space even during peak summer weeks, while the gentle shelving makes it ideal for paddling youngsters.
Family highlights include:
- Public toilets are at the Rhosneigr library car park, and of course, the local cafes and restaurants will let you use theirs if you’re staying for a drink or something to eat.
- Natural paddling pools formed among rocks at the southern end
- Sandy bottom with very few sudden drop-offs
- The Surf Café is nearby for child-friendly meals and ice cream
“We’ve been coming to Traeth Llydan every summer since our daughter was learning to walk,” shares Lisa, a regular guest from Manchester. “Now she’s twelve and still loves it, although she’s graduated from paddling to bodyboarding!”
Traeth Crigyll: Perfect for Toddlers
For those with very young children, Traeth Crigyll tends to be calmer with smaller waves, making it particularly suitable for toddlers taking their first beach steps.
Features include:
- Shallow paddling areas even at high tide
- Several access points with minimal steps, ideal for pushchairs
- Village facilities, including Chaplins Ice Cream & Coffee Bar, are just a stone’s throw away, but there are none at the beach itself.
- Usually less crowded than Traeth Llydan
Porth Tyn Tywyn: A Clean, Quiet Alternative
Just a pleasant 2km walk from Rhosneigr centre, Porth Tyn Tywyn offers families a beautifully clean beach with excellent parking directly off the A4080. This hidden gem features acres of sand at low tide and natural rock pools formed by ancient volcanic activity.
Family-Friendly Features:
- Excellent direct access from car park
- Very clean with minimal litter or plastic waste
- Natural rock pools perfect for children to explore
- Sand dunes providing shelter and adventure
- Café behind the dunes serving salads, hot drinks and ciabattas
- Dog-friendly environment
- Spectacular sunsets on the western coastline
The beach transforms from pebbly at high tide to expansive sand at low tide, making it perfect for both rockpooling adventures and traditional beach games. Its quieter nature compared to the main Rhosneigr beaches makes it ideal for families seeking a more peaceful day by the sea.
Traeth Mawr: A Hidden Gem with History
Located at Aberffraw, Traeth Mawr is often considered one of Anglesey’s most beautiful beaches. The adventure begins with a scenic walk along the estuary from the free car park, following the river through stunning sand dunes teeming with wildlife, including egrets and water birds.
Family-Friendly Features:
- Free parking at the sand dunes
- Beautiful riverside walk to reach the beach (about 6km round trip)
- Shallow, crystal-clear waters ideal for paddling
- Perfect for kite flying and ball games
- Dog-friendly with plenty of space to roam
- Fascinating crab spotting opportunities
- Spectacular backdrop of Snowdonian mountains
Important Safety Note: While the shallow waters are generally safe for families, be aware of potential rip currents on the right-hand side of the beach. Always supervise children closely near the water.
The village of Aberffraw boasts a proud 800-year history as the administrative centre for Welsh kings and princes. The local cafe in the village centre is a great place to stop for a bite to eat before or after your trip to the beach.
This quieter alternative to busier beaches offers families a perfect combination of natural beauty, wildlife watching, and historical interest – truly a special place that creates lasting memories.
Practical Tips for Beach Days
Timing: The “golden hours” for family visits are 10am-1pm and 3pm-6pm to avoid peak crowds and strongest sun.
Sun Protection: Welsh sun can be deceptively strong with sea reflection. Reapply sunscreen every two hours.
Beach Essentials: Beyond buckets and spades, pack pop-up beach shelter, wetsuit shorties for children, aqua shoes for rockpooling, and separate bags for wet clothes.
Local Knowledge: Different beaches offer better experiences depending on tides. Mention your beach plans at breakfast and we’ll advise on the best options for that day’s conditions.

After the Beach: Family-Friendly Dining
Nothing builds an appetite like a beach day. For family-friendly evening meals, we recommend Sandy Mount House, or for a quick option, Scarlett’s Fish & Chip Shop offers excellent takeaway that can be enjoyed on our guest house patio.
Staying with Us: The Perfect Family Base
Our guest house sits just a 5-minute walk from Traeth Crigyll and Traeth Llydan.
From expansive local sands to hidden coves that create lasting childhood memories, Rhosneigr and Anglesey offer some of Britain’s finest family-friendly beach experiences. We look forward to welcoming you and your little ones to discover them all.
Looking for more family activities? Check out our guide to the best things to do in Rhosneigr with kids or explore free things to do in Anglesey.