Ratings for all the region’s beaches have been publishedTraeth Mawr beach in Cemaes, AngleseyTraeth Mawr beach in Cemaes, Anglesey(Image: Gordon Hatton/Wiki)

Beaches in Anglesey and Denbighshire have been rated amongst the country’s worst for bathing quality. Cemaes Bay and Rhyl Central were among only five designated bathing waters in Wales to be considered only “sufficient” by water quality regulators.

Bathing water ratings for 112 beaches, lakes and rivers in Wales have just been released by Natural Resources Wales (NRW). Of these, 78 were classified as “excellent” – up three since 2024. A further 26 sites achieved “good’ status. Ratings for all North Wales waters can be found below.

Across the country, only one Welsh beach was rated “poor”. This was Watch House Bay, a 100-metre beach in an urbanised area south of Barry in the Vale of Glamorgan. Rhyl’s Marine Lake was also considered only “sufficient”, down on its 2024 rating.

Traeth Fawr beach at Cemaes Bay has now been marked only “sufficient” for three successive years, having previously been rated “good” and “excellent”. Afon Wygyr discharges onto the beach, which lies in a catchment is dominated by agriculture.

Livestock are considered the “main bacterial loads” at Traeth Fawr and, in recent years, the river and its tributaries have been fenced off to prevent faecal contamination. More fencing was completed in 2025 on Afon Meddanen.

Beach water sampling undertaken this year found no animal faeces or sewage debris. However trace amounts of litter were seen on 30%-40% of occasions. It’s thought elevated bacterial levels may be coming from highway drains at times of high rainfall.

NRW’s investigators said: “Heavy rain falling on pavements and roads often flows into surface water drains or highway drains, ending up in local rivers and, ultimately, the sea. The quality of bathing water may be adversely affected as a result of such events.” Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now

Warm weather brings the crowds to Rhyl beachWarm weather brings the crowds to Rhyl beach(Image: Ian Cooper/North Wales Live)

In 2024, Rhyl Central beach was rated “poor” and this year’s upgrading is in line with the improving trend seen across Wales this summer – water sampling is undertaken between May 15 and September 30.

Now considered “satisfactory”, it means seafront signs advising against bathing can now be taken down. However the rating means there is still room for improvement.

The beach suffers for being near the Afon Clwyd estuary, which leads to “increased bacteria loading” from farming, sewage and urban run-off after heavy rainfall. Usually, pollution risks subside after one to three days after a downpour.

For two years, the beach area has been disrupted by the £69m Central Rhyl coastal defence scheme. In August, the revamped Rhyl Central promenade was reopened after being widened and raised, and this was followed by the unveiling of the resdesigned Drift Park play area in early autumn.

During visits to the beach, NRW officers didn’t find any oil or sewage debris. However trace amounts of animal faeces were detected on a few occasions. Litter was worse: small amounts were found on more than 50% of visits.

NRW said: “At Rhyl there were a total of 31 warnings of a pollution risk forecast during the 2024 bathing water season, with four samples being taken on a day that coincided with these warnings. These warnings were issued because of the effects of heavy rain on the water quality.” Worst date for bacteria loads was August 6.

Swimming is banned at Rhyl's Marine Lake but canoeing, kayaking and sailing is allowed with permitsSwimming is banned at Rhyl’s Marine Lake but canoeing, kayaking and sailing is allowed with permits(Image: Ian Cooper/North Wales Live)

In contrast, bathing quality Rhyl’s Marine Lake has gone the other way, dropping from “good” in 2024 to “sufficient” this year. In terms of visible pollution, it was similar to Rhyl Central, with litter the main issue – it was seen on more than 50% of visits. In 2025, bacterial levels were down on the previous year.

Marine Lake has no treated sewage outfalls, neither is it fed by streams or rivers. But it does have combined sewers that carry both sewage and surface water from roofs and drains – and an overflow back to the Clwyd estuary. The lake is topped up occasionally at high tide via a sluice located within the Clwyd estuary.

This year, a surface water drain near the lake’s car park was targeted for sampling to see if this is affecting the lake’s water quality. NRW said: “Advice has been given to Denbighshire County Council regarding procedures for topping up the lake during times of known pollution within the Clwyd estuary.”

Mary Lewis, NRW’s head of natural resource management, said climate change was making it more challenging to maintain high bathing water standards. Wet weather can significantly impact water quality and this was seen in September, when rainfall was 170% of average levels.

She added: “As Wales’ environmental regulator, we are working hard to reduce pollution at its source, enforce against those who harm our waters and collaborate with partners on solutions. We continue to drive action and investment from all sectors to secure sustained, long-term improvements for nature and people, and the future of Welsh waters.”

This year, two new sites in Wales were designated for their water quality. Overall, 98% of the 112 sites met compliance standards this year. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox

2025 bathing quality ratings in North WalesExcellent

  • Aberdyfi
  • Aberdyfi Rural
  • Tywyn
  • Fairbourne
  • Barmouth
  • Tal-y-Bont
  • Dyffryn (Llanendwyn)
  • Llandanwg
  • Harlech
  • Craig Du Beach Central (Black Rock Sands)
  • Glan Don Beach
  • Pwllheli
  • Abersoch
  • Porth Neigwl
  • Aberdaron
  • Morfa Nefyn
  • Morfa Dinlle
  • Llyn Padarn
  • Llanddwyn
  • Aberffraw
  • Rhosneigr
  • Silver Bay Rhoscolyn
  • Porth Dafarch
  • Church Bay
  • Traeth Lligwy
  • St Davids – Benllech
  • Llanddona
  • Llanfairfechan
  • Penmaenmawr
  • Colwyn Bay
  • Colwyn Bay Porth Eirias

Good

  • Criccieth
  • Porth Nefyn
  • Borth Wen
  • Trearddur Bay
  • Benllech
  • Llandudno West Shore
  • Llandudno North Shore
  • Abergele (Pensarn)
  • Kinmel Bay (Sandy Cove)
  • Rhyl East
  • Prestatyn Central

Sufficient

  • Cemaes
  • Marine Lake, Rhyl
  • Rhyl Central

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