Porth Iago beach is sheltered, sandy and increasingly popular (Image: Porth Iago campsite)
The idyllic Porth Iago, a gem on the Llyn Peninsula in Gwynedd, is buckling under the pressure of its own beauty as swarms of visitors overwhelm the local campsite.
Renowned for being one of the UK’s most scenic spots, the beach has become too popular for its own good.
During peak summer months, the campsite and car park are bursting at the seams, often forcing the site manager to turn away disappointed campers and day-trippers who have journeyed from afar.
The situation has escalated to such an extent that heated confrontations are not uncommon.
Access to Porth Iago is uniquely challenging since it requires crossing private land, leaving many unaware if parking is even available upon arrival. The campsite’s policy is clear: no booking, no entry.
A big draw for campers are Porth Iago’s spectacular sunsets (Image: Porth Iago campsite)
In a bid to manage expectations and reduce conflict, the campsite’s manager, who prefers to remain anonymous has expressed his frustration, revealing that he’s contemplating shutting down both the campsite and car park.
He attributes the surge in visitors to unwelcome media attention, particularly after Porth Iago was crowned Wales’ third-best beach in the Sunday Times Best UK Beaches guide 2024 last month, sparking yet another influx of beachgoers, reports North Wales Live.
“People just think it’s a free-for-all,” the beleaguered manager lamented. “They read articles in papers and online and they think they have a right to come here and go on the beach.
“But they haven’t – the only access to the beach is across private land. I’ve been attacked by people angry that they can’t visit the beach.
“We are on the verge of closing the gates and shutting a campsite that has been here since 1918. We’re constantly being inundated with people and we cannot cope.
“TikTokers are coming here, Instagram influencers are turning up, but we can’t let everyone in. The car park only has spaces for 30 or 40 vehicles.”
The campsite manager says influencers keep turning up, but they can’t let everyone in (Image: Getty Images)
Porth Iago is a rectangular cove bordered by twin headlands that shelter its sandy beach and waters, making it a prime spot for sunbathing and swimming. As it faces west, the sunsets can be spectacular.
Stargazers love the dark skies offered by its relative remoteness, sea watchers are occasionally charmed by pods of dolphins. Visitors often describe it as their “little slice of heaven”.
Access is via a track through Ty Mawr farmyard which leads to the campsite and car park, perched high above a steep grassy bank down to the beach.
The place was a 1970s hotspot but numbers fell away in the ensuing decades.
When the Covid pandemic brought a renewed focus on domestic tourism, Porth Iago was “rediscovered” and people haven’t stopped coming ever since.
The quaint charm of Porth Iago may not match the over-tourism headlines of Snowdon or Venice, but for the site manager juggling a campsite and car park single-handedly, the pressure is just as intense.
He lamented the constant barrage of requests: “I’ve got 164 messages on my phone from people asking if they can camp here in the coming week.”
Demand completely outstrips supply (Image: Getty Images)
He continued: “My phone is ringing constantly. To get some sleep I turn it off at 8pm but by the time I get up at 4.20am, it’s full of new voicemails from people who have been ringing through the night.
“People don’t listen (when we say we are full). Sometimes we have to close the gates (at the end of the drive) but they open them up and come through anyway.”
Despite the chaos, he noted that loyalty among campers remains strong, with 96 per cent being repeat customers, leaving little room for newcomers. Even so, hopeful visitors often arrive uninvited, testing their luck for a spot.
The beach itself draws crowds, yet those arriving late are often sent away, sometimes leaving them distressed, as online reviews indicate.
The site manager recounted an incident where a large group ignored advice and faced disappointment: despite being warned they couldn’t visit due to group size restrictions, 30 family members travelled by coach from Birmingham and were turned around.
A group of 15 individuals who travelled from Bangor, Gwynedd, were denied entry despite their claims of having checked in advance.
In 2022, a couple’s request to book the entire site for their wedding was also turned down.
The car park operates from 9am-5pm and is typically full by 11am or even earlier, resulting in some wasted trips.
“Articles and blogs often mention the fantastic sunsets we have here,” the site manager commented. “So people are turning up at 6pm to watch the sun going down. But the car park closes at 5pm and unfortunately we can’t let them in.”
Despite the high demand, Porth Iago has maintained its parking fee at £5 for several years, with an additional £1 charge for dogs.
“We don’t want to raise prices because we realise not everyone can afford expensive holidays abroad,” he explained. “It’s not all about money and we can’t cope as it is.”
The manager emphasised that camping is strictly by pre-booking only and day visitors will be turned away if the car park is full.
Access via the Wales Coast Path is possible provided walkers pay £1 to reach the beach.
Booking details can be found on the campsite’s Facebook page.