We checked 19 Gwynedd beaches against the council’s dog control order. Gwynedd bans dogs from marked exclusion zones on 16 beaches from 1 April to 30 September, a month earlier than neighbouring counties. Dogs are allowed outside those dates, and the council extended the order unchanged to 14 August 2027, so check what applies after that date.
I want to be upfront about what this page is. The council shows each exclusion zone on a map, and we could read the boundaries in words for only a few beaches, so we name the source on every card with the date we checked and tell you to look for the signs. If you are planning a full day out, our guide to local dog walks in Gwynedd sets out the walks we checked.
The rules in short
The ban zones are part of each beach, not usually the whole of it, and the rest stays open. The only lead rule we found applies across the county: dogs must go on a lead of up to 2 metres when an authorised officer directs it. The council extended the order, which has run since 2013, for three years to 14 August 2027. We could not confirm the exact date the extension began. Our Gwynedd area guide explains what each service covers, and our secure dog fields in Gwynedd lists the hire fields for off-lead time away from the sand. Councils can change their orders, so read the signs on the day.
Cardigan Bay: Aberdyfi to Barmouth
These beaches have a dog exclusion zone from 1 April to 30 September, and dogs are allowed outside those dates.
Aberdyfi
Dogs not allowed in the exclusion area from 1 April to 30 September. The zone boundary is on the council’s maps, which we could not read, so look for the signs.
Source: Gwynedd Council, public spaces protection order maps (Cabinet papers) (checked 11 November 2026)
View on Google Maps
Tywyn
Dogs not allowed in the exclusion area from 1 April to 30 September. The 2021 Cabinet report describes the zone as west of Warwick Place Road to west of Pier Road, and the order was extended unchanged.
Source: Gwynedd Council, public spaces protection order maps (Cabinet papers) (checked 11 November 2026)
View on Google Maps
Fairbourne and Friog
Dogs not allowed in the exclusion area from 1 April to 30 September. The 2021 Cabinet report describes the zone as south of the pillbox to the west side of the Beach Road junction.
Source: Gwynedd Council, public spaces protection order maps (Cabinet papers) (checked 11 November 2026)
View on Google Maps
Barmouth
Dogs not allowed in the exclusion area from 1 April to 30 September. A press list (weak, undated) describes the zone as the area between the leisure centre and the river; the council maps are the firm source and we could not read them.
Source: Gwynedd Council, public spaces protection order maps (Cabinet papers) (checked 11 November 2026)
View on Google Maps
Bennar Beach — Barmouth
Dogs not allowed in the exclusion area from 1 April to 30 September. The zone boundary is on the council’s maps, which we could not read, so look for the signs.
Source: Gwynedd Council, public spaces protection order maps (Cabinet papers) (checked 11 November 2026)
View on Google Maps
Llandanwg and Harlech: dates to check
These two sit between Barmouth and Porthmadog. They appear in the 2021 draft order but not in the maps pack, so we have listed them with the reason rather than leave them out.
Llandanwg — Harlech
The 2021 draft order lists Llandanwg for the 1 April to 30 September exclusion (item 6.06), and a North Wales tourism site (weak) lists it too. But the Cabinet maps pack has no map for it, so we cannot say whether an exclusion was adopted. Ring Galw Gwynedd on 01766 771000 or check the signs.
Source: Gwynedd Council, draft public spaces protection order 2021 (checked 11 November 2026)
View on Google Maps
Harlech
The 2021 draft order lists Harlech for the 1 April to 30 September exclusion (item 6.07), but the Cabinet maps pack has no map for it, so we cannot say whether an exclusion was adopted. Ring Galw Gwynedd on 01766 771000 or check the signs.
Source: Gwynedd Council, draft public spaces protection order 2021 (checked 11 November 2026)
View on Google Maps
Porthmadog, Criccieth, Pwllheli and Abersoch
The same dates apply on this stretch of coast. For a swim, our guide to dog swimming spots in Gwynedd may help.
Morfa Bychan (Black Rock Sands) — Porthmadog
Dogs not allowed in the exclusion area from 1 April to 30 September. The zone boundary is on the council’s maps, which we could not read, so look for the signs.
Source: Gwynedd Council, public spaces protection order maps (Cabinet papers) (checked 11 November 2026)
View on Google Maps
Criccieth Promenade Beach
Dogs not allowed in the exclusion area from 1 April to 30 September. This is the promenade beach, not the Marine beach below. The zone boundary is on the council’s maps, which we could not read, so look for the signs.
Source: Gwynedd Council, public spaces protection order maps (Cabinet papers) (checked 11 November 2026)
View on Google Maps
Glan y Don, Pwllheli
Dogs not allowed in the exclusion area from 1 April to 30 September. The zone boundary is on the council’s maps, which we could not read, so look for the signs.
Source: Gwynedd Council, public spaces protection order maps (Cabinet papers) (checked 11 November 2026)
View on Google Maps
Marian-y-De, Pwllheli
Dogs not allowed in the exclusion area from 1 April to 30 September. The zone boundary is on the council’s maps, which we could not read, so look for the signs.
Source: Gwynedd Council, public spaces protection order maps (Cabinet papers) (checked 11 November 2026)
View on Google Maps
Abersoch
Dogs not allowed in the exclusion area from 1 April to 30 September. The 2021 Cabinet report describes the zone as Pen Bennar to east of Lon Golff.
Source: Gwynedd Council, public spaces protection order maps (Cabinet papers) (checked 11 November 2026)
View on Google Maps
Criccieth Marine beach: no summer ban found
The council took this beach out of the ban in 2021.
Criccieth Marine beach
We found no summer ban here in the current order. The council removed the exclusion on the Marine beach in 2021, when the 2013 order had covered the whole beach. In the 2024 consultation, 13 people asked for it to come back, and the order was extended unchanged. Older press lists still show Criccieth as banned, which may mislead, so check the signs.
Source: Gwynedd Council, Cabinet report on the dog control order (2021 and 2024) (checked 11 November 2026)
View on Google Maps
Llŷn Peninsula and Caernarfon Bay
The same dates apply here too.
Aberdaron
Dogs not allowed in the exclusion area from 1 April to 30 September. A press list (weak, undated) puts the zone between the river and the church; the council maps are the firm source and we could not read them.
Source: Gwynedd Council, public spaces protection order maps (Cabinet papers) (checked 11 November 2026)
View on Google Maps
Porth Oer (Whistling Sands) — Aberdaron
Dogs not allowed in the exclusion area from 1 April to 30 September. The 2021 Cabinet report says the exclusion covers only the part east of the Porthor cafe, so dogs may be allowed on the rest, but check the signs.
Source: Gwynedd Council, public spaces protection order maps (Cabinet papers) (checked 11 November 2026)
View on Google Maps
Porth Towyn — Tudweiliog
Dogs not allowed in the exclusion area from 1 April to 30 September. The zone boundary is on the council’s maps, which we could not read, so look for the signs.
Source: Gwynedd Council, public spaces protection order maps (Cabinet papers) (checked 11 November 2026)
View on Google Maps
Morfa Nefyn
Dogs not allowed in the exclusion area from 1 April to 30 September. The zone boundary is on the council’s maps, which we could not read, so look for the signs.
Source: Gwynedd Council, public spaces protection order maps (Cabinet papers) (checked 11 November 2026)
View on Google Maps
Dinas Dinlle — Caernarfon
Dogs not allowed in the exclusion area from 1 April to 30 September. A press list (weak, undated) says the main section between the stone breakwaters is covered; the council maps are the firm source and we could not read them.
Source: Gwynedd Council, public spaces protection order maps (Cabinet papers) (checked 11 November 2026)
View on Google Maps
Nefyn
Dogs not allowed in the exclusion area from 1 April to 30 September. The zone boundary is on the council’s maps, which we could not read, so look for the signs.
Source: Gwynedd Council, public spaces protection order maps (Cabinet papers) (checked 11 November 2026)
View on Google Maps
What we could not confirm
The council pages give no postcodes, so we show a Google Maps link for every beach instead, and we have left dog bins and parking out rather than guess. We could not read the council’s zone maps, so most boundaries are unconfirmed. We could not confirm whether Llandanwg and Harlech have exclusion zones. A press list (weak) also names Tal-y-bont, Machroes and Morfa Dyffryn, but they are not on the council’s list. The 2013 orders had some year-round lead areas, and we could not find a current list of any, nor the wording of the current guide dog and assistance dog exemptions. It is worth knowing where your nearest vet is before a coastal trip. After the sand, our guide to dog-friendly pubs and cafés in Gwynedd covers the places that welcome muddy paws.
Staying overnight? Our dog-friendly stays in Gwynedd list places that publish their dog policy.
Busy beaches can be exciting for a dog. If yours finds crowds unsettling, the Calmdogs calming bites are a complementary feed some owners keep for days out, though for ongoing anxiety it’s best to speak to your vet.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are dogs banned from Gwynedd beaches?
Gwynedd Council bans dogs from marked exclusion zones on 16 beaches from 1 April to 30 September. That is a month earlier than the 1 May start in neighbouring counties. Dogs are allowed outside those dates.
Can I take my dog to Black Rock Sands?
Not in the exclusion zone from 1 April to 30 September. Morfa Bychan (Black Rock Sands) is on the council list, and the zone is on the council maps, so look for the signs.
Does Criccieth ban dogs in summer?
On the promenade beach, yes, from 1 April to 30 September. The Marine beach is different: the council removed its summer ban in 2021, though older press lists still show it, so check the signs.
Do dogs need to be on a lead in Gwynedd?
The only lead rule we found is county-wide: a lead of up to 2 metres when an authorised officer directs it. We could not find a current list of year-round lead areas, so keep your dog under close control.
Written by Georgiana & Figo.
