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List of bays of Wales facts for kids

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A bay is a part of the sea that curves inward, forming a sheltered area of water. Think of it like a big scoop taken out of the coastline! Wales has many beautiful bays, from huge ones like Cardigan Bay to tiny, hidden coves. These bays are important for nature, shipping, and fun activities like swimming and exploring. This list will take you on a journey around the Welsh coast, starting from the border with England and heading north, showing you some of the most interesting bays in each area. You'll see that some places call their bays by different names, like "haven" or "porth," but they are still bays!

Exploring the Bays of Wales

Bays in South East Wales

Monmouthshire and Newport Coasts

The areas of Monmouthshire and Newport are right next to the Severn Estuary. This part of the coast is quite flat. Because of this, there aren't any named bays here.

Cardiff's Unique "Bay"

Cardiff Bay is a bit special. It's not a natural bay anymore. In the 1990s, a huge wall called the Cardiff Bay Barrage was built across it. This turned the bay into a large, enclosed body of water.

Vale of Glamorgan's Rocky Shores

The coast of the Vale of Glamorgan has many bays. Most of these bays are shallow and have cliffs made of Jurassic limestone behind them. The border between the Vale of Glamorgan and Cardiff goes right through Cardiff Bay.

  • Ranny Bay
  • St Mary's Well Bay
  • Ball Bay
  • Swanbridge Bay
  • Sully Bay
  • Jackson's Bay
  • Whitmore Bay
  • Barry Harbour
  • Watch House Bay
  • Dams Bay
  • Ffontygarri Bay
  • Limpert Bay
  • Penry Bay
  • Summerhouse Bay
  • Stout Bay
  • Tresilian Bay
  • St Donat's Bay
  • Dunraven Bay

Sandy Bays of Bridgend

The coast of Bridgend is mostly flat and has lots of sand. The biggest bay here, located east of Porthcawl, doesn't have a name on the maps.

  • Trecco Bay
  • Sandy Bay
  • Rest Bay

Neath Port Talbot's Coastal Stretch

The coastline of Neath Port Talbot is also quite flat and straight. It has some river mouths and a large harbour area.

  • Baglan Bay (where the River Neath flows into the bigger Swansea Bay)
  • Swansea Bay (part of this large bay is in Neath Port Talbot)

Swansea and the Gower Peninsula

The coast of Swansea includes half of the famous Swansea Bay. It also has half of the Loughor estuary and the entire beautiful Gower Peninsula.

Carmarthenshire's Estuaries

The Carmarthenshire coast features a few large river mouths, called estuaries. It also has some big dune systems, which are areas of sand hills.

Pembrokeshire: A Coastline Full of Bays

Pembrokeshire is famous for its stunning coastline. Its bays and rocky headlands are a big reason why much of this area is protected as the national park.

South Pembrokeshire's Beaches

This section covers the coast from the Carmarthenshire border west to the entrance of Milford Haven.

  • Carmarthen Bay (part)
  • Saundersfoot Bay
  • Brownslade Bay
  • Waterwynch Bay
  • Lydstep Haven
  • Skrinkle Haven
  • Manorbier Bay
  • Swanlake Bay
  • Freshwater East
  • Barafundle Bay
  • Broad Haven
  • Bullslaughter Bay
  • Flimston Bay
  • Pen-y-holt Bay
  • Hobbyhorse Bay
  • Wind Bay
  • Blucks Pool
  • Freshwater West
  • Gravel Bay
  • East Pickard Bay
  • West Pickard Bay
  • Parsonsquarry Bay
  • Whitedole Bay
  • Castles Bay

Islands Near Pembrokeshire

Caldey Island's Bays

Caldey Island is a small island off the coast of Pembrokeshire.

  • Priory Bay
  • Sandy Bay
  • Red Berry Bay
  • Sandtop Bay
Skokholm Island's Bays

Skokholm is another island near Pembrokeshire.

  • North Haven
  • East Bay
  • Peter's Bay
  • Hog Bay
  • Crab Bay
  • Mad Bay
  • Little Bay
Skomer Island's Bays

Skomer is also an island off Pembrokeshire.

  • North Haven
  • South Haven
  • Pigstone Bay

Milford Haven's Sheltered Waters

The Milford Haven Waterway is a long, sheltered inlet. It has many smaller creeks and bays.

  • West Angle Bay
  • Angle Bay
  • Bullwell Bay
  • Mill Bay
  • Scotch Bay
  • Gelliswick Bay
  • Sandy Haven
  • Sleeping Bay
  • Butts Bay
  • Longoar Bay
  • Lindsway Bay
  • Watch House Bay
  • Monk Haven
  • (Dale Roads)
  • Castlebeach Bay
  • Watwick Bay

Southwest Pembrokeshire's Hidden Coves

This part of the coast stretches from Milford Haven to St Brides Bay.

  • Mill Bay
  • Frenchman's Bay
  • Welshman's Bay
  • Westdale Bay
  • Watery Bay
  • Victoria Bay
  • Little Castle Bay
  • Deadman's Bay
  • Mouse's Haven

St Brides Bay: A Deep Coastal Curve

St Brides Bay is a large, deep curve in Pembrokeshire's west coast. It contains many smaller bays within it.

  • Martin's Haven
  • St Bride's Haven
  • Warey Haven
  • Mill Haven
  • Brandy Bay
  • Musselwick
  • Rook's Bay
  • Little Haven
  • The Settlands
  • Broad Haven
  • Druidston Haven
  • North Haven
  • Madoc's Haven
  • Nolton Haven
  • Davy Williams' Haven
  • St Brides Bay
  • Cwm Bach
  • Porthmynawyd
  • Many smaller inlets near Solfach like: Aber Dwyrain, Aber-west, Porth y Bwch, Porth Gwyn, Gwadn, Loch warren, Aber Llong, Porth y Rhaw.
  • Caer Bwdy Bay
  • Caerfai Bay
  • St Non's Bay
  • Many smaller inlets near St Davids like: Porth Coch Mawr, Porth y Ffynnon, Porth Clais.
  • Porthlysgi Bay
  • Porth Henllys
  • Porthtaflod

North Pembrokeshire's Varied Coast

This section goes from St Brides Bay to the border with Ceredigion. This northern coast is part of the southern shore of the much larger Cardigan Bay.

  • Many smaller inlets west of St Davids like: Porthstinian, Porth Brag, Porthyn Hyfryd, Porth Cadnaw, Porthselau.
  • Whitesands Bay / Porth Mawr
  • Many smaller inlets north of St Davids like: Porth Lleuog, Porthmelgan, Porth llong, Porth Uwch, Gesail-fawr, Porth Coch, Porth-gwyn, Porth y Dwfr, Porth y Rhaw, Porth Tr-wen, Aberdinas, Aber-pwll.
  • Abereiddi Bay
  • Many smaller inlets like: Porth Egr, Porth Dwfn, Porth Ffynnon, Porth-gain, Gribinau, Pwll Crochan, Aber-draw, Pwll Olfa, Pwll llong, Pwll Whiting, Aber Castle, Aber yw, Pwllstrodur, Aber Mochyn, Porth Glastwr, Aber mawr, Aber Bach, Porth Dwgan, Porth Coch, Pwll March, Pwll Long, Pwllcrochan, Pwlldawnau, Aber Cerrig-gwynion, Pwll Deri, Porth Maenmelyn, Pwll Arian, Pwll ffyliaid.
  • Carreg Onnen Bay
  • Many smaller inlets like: Pwll Bach, Pwlluog, Porthsychan, Aber felin, Pant y Bara, Pany y Dwr, Porth Maen.
  • Anglas Bay
  • Pwll Hir
  • Fishguard Bay (including Pwll Landdu, Aber Richard, Pwll y Blewyn, Aber Grugog)
  • Many smaller inlets like: Aber Bach, Pwll Gwylog, Pwll cwn, Pwllgwaelod, Aber Careg-y-Fran, Aber Pensidan, Aber Pen-clawdd, Pwll Glas.
  • Newport Bay (including Aber Pig-y-baw, Aber Ysgol, Aber Step)
  • Pwll Coch
  • Traeth Bach
  • Ceibwr Bay
  • Pwllygranant
  • Pwll y Mwn
  • Pwll Edrych
  • Pwll Melyn
Ramsey Island's Inlets

Ramsey Island is off the coast of north Pembrokeshire. It has several inlets: Porth Lleuog, Pwll Bendro, Aber Mawr, Bay Ogof Hen, Rhod Uchaf, Rhod Isaf, Aberfelin, Yr Hen-ffordd, Abermyharan.

Central and North Wales Bays

Ceredigion's Gentle Coastline

The coast of Ceredigion forms a gentle curve. It is part of the larger Cardigan Bay. However, it also has a few named bays of its own.

  • Cribach Bay
  • Aberporth Bay
  • New Quay Bay
  • Little Quay Bay
  • Clarach Bay

Powys: A Short Estuary Coast

The "coast" of Powys is very short. It's just a small part of the tidal estuary of the River Dovey. There are no bays here.

Gwynedd and the Llŷn Peninsula

The coast of Gwynedd includes several bays that are part of the larger Cardigan Bay. The Llŷn Peninsula in Gwynedd has a very large number of small bays.

  • Barmouth Bay
  • Porth Fechan
  • Borth Fawr
  • Porth Ceiriad
  • Porth Neigwl / Hell's Mouth
  • Many smaller inlets like: Porth Llawenan, Porth Alwm, Porth Ysgo, Porth Cadlan.
  • Aberdaron Bay (including Porth simdde, Porth Meudwy)
  • Many smaller inlets like: Porth Cloch, Porth y Pistyll, Hen Borth, Parwyd, Porth Felen.
  • Porth Llanllawen
  • Many smaller inlets like: Porthorion, Porth Oer, Porth y Wrach, Porthllwynog, Porth Iago, Dyllborth, Porth Ferin, Porth Widlin, Porth Ty-mawr, Porth Wen Bach, Porth Colmon, Porth Ychain, Porth Gwylan, Porth Ysgaden, Porth Llydan, Porth Towyn, Aber Geirch, Borth Wen.
  • Porth Dinllaen
  • Porth Nefyn
  • Porth Bodeilias
  • Porth Pistyll
  • Porth Howel
  • Porth y Nant
  • Caernarfon Bay
  • Foryd Bay / Y Foryd
Bardsey Island's Small Inlets

Bardsey is an island off the coast of Gwynedd. It has many small inlets, including: Bae'r nant, Bae y Rhigol, Porth Solfach, Porth Hadog, Henllwyn.

Anglesey: Wales' Largest Island Coast

Anglesey is the biggest island in Wales. Its coast is very curvy and has many inlets. Here are some of them, listed clockwise from its southern tip at Abermenai Point:

  • Llanddwyn Bay
  • Malltraeth Bay
  • Many smaller inlets like: Porth y Gro, Porth Twyn-mawr, Porth y Cwch, Porth Cae-Ceffylau, Porth Cadwaladr.
  • Aberffraw Bay (including Porth Lleidiog, Porth Terfyn)
  • Many smaller inlets like: Porth Aels, Porth Wen, Porth Cwyfan, Porth China, Pwll Burn, Caethle, Porth Terfyn, Porth Trecastell, Porth Nobla, Porth Sur, Porth y Tywod.
  • Cymyran Bay (including Silver Bay, Porth yr Ych (both on Holy Island))
  • Many smaller inlets like: Porth Gorslwyn, Porth Cae-du, Borthwen, Porth y Corwgl, Porth yr Hwngan, Porth Gwlach, Porth Saint, Porth y Garan, Porth Castell, Porth Diana.
  • Treaddur Bay
  • Many smaller inlets like: Porth yr Afon, Porth y Pwll, Porth-y-post, Porth y Corwgl, Porth Dafarch, Porth Ruffydd, Porth y Gwin.
  • Abraham's Bosom (including Porth y Gwyddel)
  • Gogarth Bay
  • Porth Namarch
  • Beddmanarch Bay
  • Porth Penrhyn-mawr
  • Many smaller inlets like: Porth Dryw, Porth Delysg, Porth Tywyn-mawr, Porth Defaid, Porth Trefadog, Porth y Ffynnon, Porth Fudr, Porth Trwyn, Porth Crugmor or Cable Bay, Porth Tyddyn-uchaf, Porth y Santes, Porth Swtan or Church Bay, Porth y Dwfr, Porth y Bribys, Porth y Nant, Porth yr Hwch, Porth yr Hwch-fach, Port(h) Ffau'r-llwynog, Porth y Dyfn, Porth yr Eboil, Porth Newydd, Porth tywodog, Hen Borth.
  • Cemlyn Bay
  • Many smaller inlets like: Porth-y-pistyll, Porth y Gwartheg, Porth y Galen-ddu, Porth Wnal.
  • Cemaes Bay (including Porth yr Ogof, Porth Wyllfa, Porth Padrig)
  • Porth Llanlleiana
  • Hell's Mouth / Porth Cynfor
  • Porth Adfan
  • Porth Wen
  • Bull Bay / Porth Llechog (including Pwll y Tarw, Pwll y Merched)
  • Many smaller inlets like: Porth Offeiriad, Aber Cawell, Porth Newydd, Porthyrychen, Porth Eilian, Porth y Corwgl.
  • Fresh Water Bay
  • Many smaller inlets like: Porthygwichiaid, Porth Helygen, Porth yr Aber, Porth Garreg-fawr.
  • Dulas Bay
  • Porth y Mor
  • Lligwy Bay
  • Many smaller inlets like: Porth Forllwyd, Porth Helaeth, Porth yr Ynys, Porth Lydan, Porth Nigwyl, Porth Moelfre.
  • Porth y Rhos
  • Borth-wen
  • Red Wharf Bay / Traeth-coch (including Porth-llongdy-uchaf)
  • Porth Penmon

Conwy's Coastal Stretch

The coast of Conwy extends quite a bit to both the east and west of the Conwy estuary.

  • Conwy Bay
  • Ormes Bay / Llandudno Bay
  • Porth Dyniewaid
  • Penrhyn Bay
  • Rhos Bay / Colwyn Bay
  • (Kinmel Bay)
  • Liverpool Bay (part of this very large bay)

Denbighshire and Flintshire's Straight Coasts

There are no smaller bays along the coast of either Denbighshire or Flintshire in northeast Wales. Both of these areas are on the edge of the much larger Liverpool Bay.

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List of bays of Wales Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.