Porthor Beach (Whistling Sands)
Porthor Beach (Whistling Sands)
Porthor Beach (Whistling Sands)
4.6
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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- Helen CTycroes, United Kingdom54 contributionsNT car park with a toilet at the top of the lane leading down to the beach . The lane is quite steep At the bottom you’ll find a lovely cafe with a terrace where you can sit and admire the stunning views. Sadly the sands didn’t whistle for us, no matter how hard we shuffled our feet, but it was still a beautiful spot to spend an afternoonVisited September 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten September 8, 2024
- Gwyn JPwllheli, United Kingdom4 contributionsI would rate this cafe as the second best for coffee on the Llyn. [second after Plas yn Rhiw]. Delicious bacon bap and excellent coffee. A full range of snacks and home made cakes with seating inside and outside with suprb beach and sea views. I walked along the squeeky sands and returned to the car park along the costal path above the beach.Visited September 2024Traveled soloWritten October 7, 2024
- Jonny-NorthernerHarrogate, United Kingdom631 contributionsI came here as a child and wanted my daughter to hear the whistling made by the sand (hence the name). As it was mid-October there were plenty of car parking spaces and our walk down the hill was pretty quick. I managed to get the sand to whistle, but I remember it being a whole lot louder fifty years since. The beach is fantastic anyway and there are toilets and a cafe (unfortunately it had closed at 16:00 so we missed it). Walking back up the hill wasn't as much fun as walking down it...Visited October 2024Traveled with familyWritten October 24, 2024
- places2seeplaces2goEngland, United Kingdom7,024 contributionsVisited here while on holiday on The Llyn Peninsula. Found out about it from TA & NT. As we are NT members were able to park for free in National Trust car park. A short walk to the beach. A sunny day so reasonably busy. We were there to walk dog, so walked on DF side & up along the cliffs path where we go some beautiful views. Small cafe on beach which is ok. Toilet facilities.Visited September 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten September 8, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.6
287 reviews
Excellent
205
Very good
56
Average
19
Poor
2
Terrible
5
Elizabeth C
5 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Found this beach by looking on Google earth, sat nav found it with no bother, and had a really good afternoon there with my daughter, 12. We went in the sea twice- cold as you’d expect but so clear, no rocks, very little seaweed, lots of people on boards out to play. The beach is long enough to have a wander down but we stayed right near the entrance. It’s big enough to not have felt crowded. The walk in from the car park (NT £5) might be arduous if you have lots of things, the road is steep. There’s toilets and the cafe selling beach things too. We bought chips which were freshly made and suitably crisp. We even got the sand to whistle. Definitely recommend going if you’re looking for something to do especially if you like being out on the waves.
Written July 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ian E
Bolton, UK70 contributions
Dec 2019
We visited the beach in late December whilst on a holiday, we parked on the car park at the top of the hill down to the beach which is a National Trust site and is £4 but free if you are a member of the trust. The beach is accessed by quite a steep path but once at the bottom there is cafe ( unfortunately it was closed when we visited )
We enjoyed a nice walk along with our dog. The grandchildren loved it running up and down being chased by the waves. There are rocks at the far end where rock pools can be found. The sand didn't whistle apparently the sand needs to be dry for this to happen.
We enjoyed a nice walk along with our dog. The grandchildren loved it running up and down being chased by the waves. There are rocks at the far end where rock pools can be found. The sand didn't whistle apparently the sand needs to be dry for this to happen.
Written January 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeanette
8 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
£5 to park, irrespective of how long! Fine for a day out, but extortionate for a walk down the road to the beach and back (because info boards in the car park say vaguely 'dogs welcome except for summer months' and then you get to the beach where another board tells you 'summer' is April 1st - 30th September and that if you contravene the dog ban you risk a £1000 fine). The beach itself is beautiful, but so is every other beach on the Llŷn Peninsula and from my experience, all the others are much less hostile to dog owners. I suggest NT update the board in the car park and give me my £5 back.
Written April 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bev F
4 contributions
Oct 2020
Beautiful sandy beach, great in any weather. Views from the cafe terrace are stunning and the homemade cakes so delicious we returned the next day to buy more! Blueberry scones - simply the best scones, ever! Orange and raspberry (vegan) cake just awesome and bara brith yummy. Piping hot tasty coffee 😋 what’s not to love about this place ... we’ll be back!
Written October 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ian W
Northampton, UK67 contributions
Jul 2022
A lovely beach which marked roughly the half way point on the circular (more of a rectangle to be honest) across the Llyn peninsular from Aberadon
Whilst we didn't hear a whistle having somewhat unsuccessfully navigated a bog en route it proved a great opportunity to wash down.
As the beach is a little remote it has plenty of space.
There's a bit of a tarmac slope down to it with National Trust car park at the top but a welcoming cafe at the bottom
Whilst we didn't hear a whistle having somewhat unsuccessfully navigated a bog en route it proved a great opportunity to wash down.
As the beach is a little remote it has plenty of space.
There's a bit of a tarmac slope down to it with National Trust car park at the top but a welcoming cafe at the bottom
Written July 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael
London, UK88 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
This is a really lovely beach. Best to park in the National Trust car park and walk down following the path to the left. Then the view emerges suddenly as a wonderful picture. Walk on a bit further over the cliffs for views of the next bay with its own waterfall, then back down the path to the sands. No whistling while we were there, but the cafe (open till end of October) was a real surprise. The cliff path (up steps, by the cafe) quickly gets narrow and muddy and is quite a challenge, so best stick to the paths across the top where the views are lovely. This is about as far west as you can go without being in the sea so feels wild and remote. Must be wonderful in Summer.
Written October 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ypyl
Sheffield, UK2 contributions
Aug 2022
During our holiday in the Llyn Peninsula, we went to the beach cafe and sat outside in the sun with a coffee. The location of the cafe is excellent, close to the NT car park and directly on this beautiful beach. You can take the coastal path in either direction, so it makes a good stop-off point.
I accidently left my cardigan on a chair, but didn't notice until I was at home unpacking. No problem: I made a quick call to the staff at the cafe who were more than happy to post it back to me.
Thanks for your amazing customer service!
I accidently left my cardigan on a chair, but didn't notice until I was at home unpacking. No problem: I made a quick call to the staff at the cafe who were more than happy to post it back to me.
Thanks for your amazing customer service!
Written September 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SoniaP900
Chester, England, United Kingdom44 contributions
May 2021
I can't start to describe the colours on this beach, brilliant.
Walk up and down is a little steep, car parking is £5 for the day if not a National Trust member.
Little cafe on the beach, serving excellent coffee.
Walk up and down is a little steep, car parking is £5 for the day if not a National Trust member.
Little cafe on the beach, serving excellent coffee.
Written May 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wirralcouple1
wirral68 contributions
Aug 2020
Had some great days here on our recent holiday when the weather was good. Its a perfect beach with gently sloping soft sand, rockpools to explore, and shallow water to swim in. There is also a cafe and toilets (toilets currently shut due to covid) Quite a steep path from the car park, so try and not forget anything when you set up on the beach - we forgot the beach shelter poles and I had to go back to the car.
Written August 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fluffymonkey
Worcester, UK4,389 contributions
Aug 2021
This was our favourite beach on Llyn. Perhaps more of a 'squeak' than a whistling beach but sure enough if you walk across the sand bare foot you'll hear it! Dramatic location, crystal clear waters, lovely soft squeaky sand!
Despite the NT car park filling up the beach is big enough to find an idyllic spot when busy and if you explore either end of the bay you'll find yourself on one of the coastal paths in no time with dramatic views looking down onto the beach. Great rock pools either end of the bay also, just be careful the rocks are razor sharp in some areas.
TIP : get the 'Pay by Phone' app before you visit for parking as saves hassle trying to find cash or queuing to pay at NT hut.
Despite the NT car park filling up the beach is big enough to find an idyllic spot when busy and if you explore either end of the bay you'll find yourself on one of the coastal paths in no time with dramatic views looking down onto the beach. Great rock pools either end of the bay also, just be careful the rocks are razor sharp in some areas.
TIP : get the 'Pay by Phone' app before you visit for parking as saves hassle trying to find cash or queuing to pay at NT hut.
Written September 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is there disabled access? Thanks
Written February 14, 2019
The main car park is approx 500m away from the beach but the concrete road goes all the way down to the sand.
At the bottom of the road on the left is the cafe and just before that there is a two car space that could be used for turning once you have dropped of your disabled passenger. I'm not sure if you could park in the two car space permanently during your visit. It may be a staff car park during the summer months.
We visited in the winter, the cafe was closed and we did park in this space.
I'm not sue if the cafe has a toilet for use by a disabled person.
Written February 15, 2019
What part in august are dogs allowed? No where atall or is there anywherr for them yo have a paddle?
Written July 10, 2018
There is no part of the beach where dogs are allowed I am afraid from May till September. You can take them down the road as far as the cafe and it's OK to sit outside the cafe with your dog but you can't take them on the beach at all.
Written July 11, 2018
We are staying in a cottage at Chillog, how do we get to the whistling sand beach
Written June 6, 2018
Hi, from where you are, go to Nefyn, then Nefyn to Tudweillog, and follow the Tudweillog to Aberdaron road, and then look for signs for Porthor. This should take you to the car park, then just walk down the road, very sloping, down to the whistling sands beach
Written June 9, 2018
What date does the dog ban come into force and end?
Written April 5, 2018
Apparently some conflicting signs near the beach café - one says no dogs from 1 April, the other (next to it) says 1 May.
No bins for waste - and dog waste is being left - so those irresponsible owners will probably result in dogs being banned for the whole year.
Written December 30, 2018
Is there paddle boarding or surfing rentals at the beach?
Written January 17, 2018
Hi, no, there is a little cafe, which is normally open during summer and odd days during the winter, but no rentals there
Written January 18, 2018
Hi,I have a server mobility problem and I would love to go here is there any disabled parking bays closer to the beach and cafe that I could use.
Kind regards
Written May 13, 2017
Hi, if I remember rightly there's a little road leading down to the beach with a pull in to park in, you might be able to see on Google earth/street view? If not, there's a lovely beach at Aberdaron that is accessible. X
Written May 14, 2017

whymmm
Sorry i don't know if it is or not, we were there in the summer.
But the phone number is 01758 760321 if you want to try calling them.
Sorry i can't be anymore help.
Written November 13, 2016
how did it get its name ?
Written April 26, 2015

whymmm
The sands got the name from the sound the beach makes when you shuffle your feet in the sand, Its all todo the the grains of sand, the beach is quite unique apparently. Its does sound a bit odd.
Written November 15, 2016
krzysiek787
Wrexham, United Kingdom
car parking spaces are easy available in season???
Written April 5, 2015
The National Trust have a reasonably large car park at the top of the access road. When very busy, they also use a field on the other side of that access.
If you get there, and find that several rows are already parked in that "overflow" car park, perhaps think about how busy you like your beaches. I have used this beach when very busy, returning to find about seven rows in the overflow car park, and on that visit, it was getting difficult to find a route to walk around the groups on the beach!
Written July 15, 2018
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