This is a list of the bays of Wales by principal area, taken clockwise around the Welsh coast from the English border at Chepstow to the Dee estuary. It includes coastal indentations which are known by names other than bay (e.g. haven, porth) but which nevertheless have similar characteristics. In addition to those listed, there are numerous bays which remain unnamed on Ordnance Survey (OS) maps, the principal source of names appearing in this list.
By far the largest bay in Wales is Cardigan Bay, occupying the larger part of the west coast. Other major bays are Swansea Bay, Carmarthen Bay, St Brides Bay, Caernarfon Bay and Conwy Bay. The list is divided into principal areas; 16 of the 22 in Wales have a coast though that of Powys is insignificant. Pembrokeshire has been further divided in view of the large number of bays along its intricate coastline, the greater part of which is protected as a national park. Where a bay is shared by more than one principal area, it is listed under both.
Monmouthshire and Newport
Both Monmouthshire and Newport front onto the Severn Estuary. There are no named bays along the low-lying coast of these two principal areas.
Cardiff
Cardiff Bay is not a bay but rather a body of water enclosed behind Cardiff Bay Barrage since the 1990s.
Vale of Glamorgan
Many of the mainly shallow bays along the coast of the Vale of Glamorgan are backed by cliffs of Jurassic limestone. The Vale of Glamorgan's boundary with Cardiff runs 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
Bridgend
The coast of Bridgend is low lying with plentiful sand. The largest bay, east of Porthcawl is unnamed on OS maps. Trecco Bay Sandy Bay Rest Bay
Neath Port Talbot
The coast of Neath Port Talbot is low-lying and relatively straight save for estuaries and a harbour complex. Baglan Bay where the River Neath enters the larger Swansea Bay Swansea Bay (part)
Swansea
The coast of Swansea includes half of Swansea Bay, half of the Loughor estuary and the entirety of the Gower Peninsula. Swansea Bay (part) Bracelet Bay Limeslade Bay Langland Bay Caswell Bay Brandy Cove Pwlldu Bay Bantam Bay Three Cliffs Bay Oxwich Bay Port-Eynon Bay Overton Mere Mewslade Bay Fall Bay Rhossili Bay Broughton Bay
Carmarthenshire
The Carmarthenshire coast includes a handful of large estuaries and a couple of large dune systems. Carmarthen Bay (part)
Pembrokeshire
The scenic cliff-backed bays and headlands of Pembrokeshire are a key part of the area's designation as a national park.
South Pembrokeshire
From the Carmarthenshire border, west to the mouth 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
Caldey Island
Caldey Island is an offshore part of Pembrokeshire. Priory Bay Sandy Bay Red Berry Bay Sandtop Bay
Milford Haven section
The Milford Haven Waterway include numerous sheltered 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
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
Skokholm
Skokholm is an offshore part of Pembrokeshire. North Haven East Bay Peter's Bay Hog Bay Crab Bay Mad Bay Little Bay
Skomer
Skomer is an offshore part of Pembrokeshire. North Haven South Haven Pigstone Bay