Written by Lowri Williams for Abersoch Life, Summer 2025. To read the full article, head over to most local retailers to pick up your copy, or subscribe to have Abersoch Life brought to your door!

Most of us fell in love with Abersoch during the summer months. The sea invites us to carve waves with our boards or steer paddleboards towards headlands. The beach is made for sunbathers who want to listen to the tide. Weekends revolve around watersports and whether we should light the barbecue or catch the evening sun in Vaynol’s beer garden. The High Street fills with colour and movement, and securing a parking spot outside Londis verifies a good day! All the while the mountains of Eryri sit quietly in the background of our beach pictures.  

 

 

Active in Abersoch  

 If you like to keep active over the holidays, consider hiring electric bikes and taking in the panoramic views of the peninsula by bike. DiscoverLlyn can drop off your hired Ebikes at your requested location, so you can set off early and make the most of your day. For those who don’t want to be left responsible for organising the family route, their guided tours are a great option. All you have to do is show up and let the guide reveal the best routes and stop off points in the area. 

For those flat, calm days, hire paddleboards and glide parallel to the shore, peacefully taking in the coastline and underwater views. Paddleboards are available to rent from Hydro up on Abersoch Main Beach, along with kayaks, sailing dinghies and wind SUPs  – perfect for getting out on the water and exploring the bay. Or, if you are feeling more adventurous, why not join a sunrise SUP or SUP Social with Abersoch Watersports, they cater for all abilities with a range of lessons and tours. Embrace the thrill of being on the water, discovering tranquil coves and breathtaking wildlife up in the sky and down in the depths below.  

 

 

Windier weather might be the time to attempt a wingfoiling lesson. Alternatively, Offaxis and West Coast Surf offer group and private surf instruction for beginners as well as those wanting to build on their technique. Porth Neigwl’s vast sweeping swells and twinkling azure waters offer an exciting playground to practice mastering the break with family and friends.  

If you are looking for something slightly more jet-fuelled, Hydro is a certified RYA training centre that runs courses in powerboat handling, sailing and jet skiing as well as equipment hire. Their courses offer a great couple of days out in the water, whilst also teaching foundational skills and techniques that will help you make the most of your time on the water and orientate you with a range of crafts.  

Land & Sea’s iconic sightseeing and wildlife tours are an amazing way to make your first venture out onto the Llŷn’s seas; discover the staggering cliffs and tranquil coves of the coastline and (hopefully) its incredible marine life. New for 2025, Land & Sea are also offering an exciting Waverunner Safari, an opportunity to experience the thrill of riding a Waverunner whilst also enjoying a guided tour of the Llŷn Peninsula and its breathtaking wildlife. Or for something special, they offer skippered boat day charters, a perfect way to relax and enjoy being at sea in style!  

 

 

Fishing with Friends 

 Before the waves become populated by surfers and powerboats, head to Porth Neigwl (Hells Mouth) to catch bass in the low light of dawn. Listen to the soft ripples of the waves. Toss your line and wait in the serenity of dawn for a tug of the reel.  

 On the south side of the peninsula, Gimblet Rock in Pwllheli is a firm favourite. The cross current drift offers an almost constant stream of water movement, and you can perch yourself up on the granite rock or bring some camping chairs and a cool box for added comfort. Stop by at D&E Hughes on Penlan Street for any enquiries or equipment needs. With a little bit of luck, you’ll be having mackerel for dinner! 

Fish ‘n’ Trips also offers fishing tours that tailor to all abilities and set off from Abersoch beach. A standard trip lasts around two hours, which brings you back just in time to head into the village for something to eat. If you’d rather catch sightings of seals and seabirds instead of fish, wildlife trips are an alternative option. Contact Fish ‘n’ Trips on 01758 712646 to find out more! 

 

  

Coastal Cooking  

 Summer’s warm, light evenings offer the perfect opportunity for outdoor dinners, a great way to eke out a beach day, or spend the last golden hours of sunlight outside in your garden. Browse Abersoch Garden Centre’s array of BBQ essentials, ranging all the way up to high end grills, to prepare you for these sunny evenings. Whether you are searing your catch of the day or some delicious meats from our local butchers (Terry’s on the High Street) a BBQ is a sure hit with family and friends – the real scent of summer.  

 Or, as a tasty and timesaving alternative, Abersoch’s array of takeaways can prepare you a delicious dinner to take down to the beach for an evening picnic. Why not try a pizza from Crust, or a refreshing Thai from Deli Thai, a classic chippy from the Creel, or a Mexican feast from Mañana – complete with a frozen margarita! The perfect way to end a busy beach day, bonus points if somebody is still in a wetsuit.  

 

 

Camping and Coastal Walking  

 The Llŷn peninsula covers 110 miles of coastline, offering an array of walks and campsites along the waterfront. Sunrises light up Cardigan Bay, so consider a walk from Borth y Gest to Morfa Bychan in the morning on low tide.  

Colourful seaside homes overlook the quaint little harbour of Borth y Gest, just around the corner from Porthmadog. Follow the trail with the sea to your left. The pavement will lead around the corner. Past St Cyngar’s church, which comprises dark stone walls and rectangular lead glazing windows. The footpath leads between trees, where beams of sunlight will slip between leaves offering flecks of light through the shade. Along this route there will be multiple paths down to the sand. Some are more accessible than others, so have a scan before making your way down. You can turn back on yourself from here, or continue over to Morfa Bychan across the wide stretch of sand. Keep the boulders to your right. Pass the pillbox, Carreg Goch and walk all the way down to the Powder House. If you’ve parked by the harbour, I suggest turning back here and stopping for lunch at Bae Borth Deli or the Seaview Cafe.  

If you’re interested in longer walks and camping in between, keep walking along the beach and you’ll cross over into Black Rock Sands. This white sandy beach will add another two miles to your walk, but has a campsite at its end where you could pitch up for the night. Treat yourself to a beach day or continue north up along the coastal path the following day. Alternatively, come in your campervan and walk the route in reverse. Just remember to check the tides as you won’t be able to get around the cliffside otherwise!