Shell Island, Llanbedr

Located approximately a 10 minute drive south of Harlech.

Shell Island has three bathing beaches. Two small bathing beaches that are only available when the tide is out and the main Bathing beach at the south end of the 'Island' that runs for 6 miles down to Barmouth.

The South bathing beach is backed by some of the tallest sand dunes in Wales. The North beach is known as the dinghy beach as it is possible to launch small dinghies from it.

The small central beach is the quietest and nestles amongst the rocky foreshore unnoticed by most people. In high summer these bathing beaches are probably the most popular private beaches along the coast.

The shell beach runs for most of the length of the 'Island'. The rocky foreshore helps to retain the shells from being washed further along.

The Estuary is a varied beach made up of mudflats, marsh, and streams. It becomes a popular place for children to explore. Fishermen, find bait. Ornithologists discover the area is rich in bird life. When the tide is up in the Estuary is ideal for sailboards, canoes and dinghies.

Some two hundred different types of shell are to be found washed up on the beaches. Oyster, Scallop, tusk, tellin, razor, cockle, dog cockle, saddle oyster, whelk, cowries to name a few.

The land has been left to its own devices for the last 25 years so the whole island becomes smothered with wild flowers and aromatic roses growing side by side with tangles of wild strawberries, spiny restharrow, and germander speedwell. In June, the estuary turns a shade of pink as sea thrift blooms, before the big tides of July.

Visit the Shell Island website for more information

Visit Wales filmed the Darkes family as they travelled through Wales on their holiday, this clip shows their trip to Shell Island