Reporter Laura Clements has walked every inch of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, visiting every single beach along its 186 miles, so it's fair to say she's an expert on Wales' beaches. And of all the beautiful places she's been to, she thinks Watwick Beach is one of the nicest.
Here, she explains in detail why that is…The sand here is the softest and most golden of any beach I've walked on in Wales, and the crystal-clear waters are a tropical aquamarine color, according to Wales Online.
It's not uncommon to see the yachts of the wealthy parked in the bay, picnicking on the sand and sipping wine on deck – if there's anywhere you could imagine being on the continent's most exclusive beach, this is it.
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Admittedly, if you don't have a sailboat you'll have to walk to Wattwick Beach, but it's actually not that far. Located at the mouth of the Milford Haven Channel on the Dale Peninsula, Wattwick Bay can be reached by a two-mile hike along the coastal path from the village of Dale.
It's almost magical and always sunny. On the way to the beach, you'll pass the Dale Forts, built in the late 19th century to protect Milford Haven from a failed French invasion. These forts were later named Palmerston's Follies after the Prime Minister at the time.
Its relative isolation means you're likely to have this pristine beach all to yourself, and the views are stunning – the beach looks directly out onto the Haven Channel, with the industrial skyline in the distance contrasting with the blues and greens of the estuary.
Looking in the other direction you can see the Angle Peninsula and the sea beyond, with one of Palmerston's wonders, the Victorian fort on Thorne Island, transformed by tech entrepreneur Mike Connor into one of the most unique homes in Wales.
It's important to check the tides before heading to the beach as there isn't much sand at high tide, and you definitely don't want to be stranded at high tide, but with careful planning and preparation, you can experience one of Pembrokeshire's most beautiful and serene adventures.
Approaching the bay along the winding tree-lined road, you'll feel like a real adventure discovering this deserted beach for the first time. The sparkling blue water is so clear you can see the bottom and watch crabs scurry across the sand. Because of its secluded location, the water is probably a degree or two warmer than on more exposed beaches.
In my opinion, the best walk is to start from Dale and stroll down to Dale Fort. Pack a picnic and rest at Whatwick before continuing on to another Victorian structure, the West Blockhouse and the remains of a WWII concrete gun emplacement.
There's a six-mile circular route around St. Anne's Head, passing Mill Bay (the historically significant site where Henry VII landed before the Battle of Bosworth in 1485) and the lighthouse at St. Anne's Head, along the rocky outcrop where the Sea Empress spilled 72,000 tonnes of oil into the sea.
On a clear day there are fantastic views further north to the islands of Skokholm and Skomer, bustling with puffins, gannets, murres and kittiwakes.Continuing on, you pass Frenchman's Bay and Welshman's Bay before winding steadily north to Westdale Bay.
From here, head back towards the Dale, once one of Pembrokeshire's most important ports, and now a hotspot for water sports, particularly sailing and windsurfing, and a great place to enjoy a beer and an ice cream.
Whatwick Beach is one of those places that allows you to escape from reality in a remote location, yet still have all the modern day comforts within walking distance – it's really worth a trip.
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