Now that travel across Wales is permitted again, and summer is rolling around, many people are craving a trip to the seaside.

And now a list of the best beaches in Wales for a day by the sea has been released.

Keep Wales Tidy has unveiled the 73 coastal areas that have met the high standards needed to receive the prestigious Blue Flag, Green Coast Award and Seaside Award.

Across the country, 45 Blue Flags are flying at 42 beaches and three marinas. In order to qualify for the Blue Flag, a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria must be met and maintained.

Another 25 beaches have achieved the Seaside Award, recognising the standard of water quality and facilities. A further 13 beaches in Wales have gained the Green Coast Award, recognising the ‘hidden gems’ along our coastline.

County Times: A lone surfer studies the wintry sea at Borth from Lou Owen-JonesA lone surfer studies the wintry sea at Borth from Lou Owen-Jones

No flags were flown last year in Wales due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Lesley Jones, Keep Wales Tidy chief executive said: “We are lucky to have some of the world’s best beaches and marinas on our doorstep. The success is a testament to everyone who has worked so hard to protect and improve our beaches and keep our coast clean and safe.”

“With local services under immense pressure due to COVID-19, we all needed to pull together to look after our natural environment. We hope that visitors returning to our stunning coastline will cherish it more than ever and enjoy our beaches responsibly. Please make sure you make memories, not mess and take your litter home with you.”

Here are all the beaches in Wales to have achieved the different flags. We've highlighted Ceredigion as it has the closest beaches to Powys.

BLUE FLAG

  • Benllech – Anglesey
  • Church Bay / Porth Swtan – Anglesey
  • Llanddwyn – Anglesey
  • Llanddonna (conditional) – Anglesey
  • Trearddur Bay – Anglesey
  • Porth Dafarch – Anglesey
  • Rest Bay – Bridgend
  • Trecco Bay – Bridgend
  • Porthcawl Marina – Bridgend
  • Cefn Sidan – Carmarthenshire
  • Aberystwyth North – Ceredigion
  • Aberystwyth South – Ceredigion
  • Borth – Ceredigion
  • Llangrannog – Ceredigion
  • New Quay Harbour – Ceredigion
  • Tresaith – Ceredigion
  • Llandudno West Shore – Conwy
  • Llanfairfechan – Conwy
  • Rhos, Colwyn Bay – Conwy
  • Porth Eirias – Conwy
  • Prestatyn – Denbighshire
  • Barmouth (Abermaw) – Gwynedd
  • Abersoch – Gwynedd
  • Dinas Dinlle – Gwynedd
  • Morfa Bychan (Black Rock Sands) – Gwynedd
  • Pwllheli – Gwynedd
  • Aberdaron – Gwynedd
  • AmrothNewgale – Pembrokeshire
  • Saundersfoot – Pembrokeshire
  • Dale – Pembrokeshire
  • Whitesands – Pembrokeshire
  • Coppet Hall – Pembrokeshire
  • Tenby North – Pembrokeshire
  • Tenby South – Pembrokeshire
  • Tenby Castle – Pembrokeshire
  • Poppit Sands – Pembrokeshire
  • Lydstep – Pembrokeshire
  • Broadhaven Norther – Pembrokeshire
  • Caswell Bay – Swansea
  • Langland Bay – Swansea
  • Port Eynon – Swansea
  • Swansea Marina – Swansea
  • Penarth Marina – Vale of Glamorgan
  • Southerndown – Vale of Glamorgan

SEASIDE AWARD

  • Traeth Crigyll, Rhosneigr – Anglesey
  • Cilborth – Ceredigion
  • Llanrhystud – Ceredigion
  • Mwnt – Ceredigion
  • Aberporth – Ceredigion
  • Aberystwyth South – Ceredigion
  • Aberystwyth North – Ceredigion
  • Clarach – Ceredigion
  • Penbryn – Ceredigion
  • Traeth y Dolau – Ceredigion
  • Borth – Ceredigion
  • Llangrannog – Ceredigion
  • New Quay Harbour – Ceredigion
  • Tresaith – Ceredigion
  • Kinmel Bay – Conwy
  • Llandudno N Shore – Conwy
  • Abergele Pensarn – Conwy
  • Penmaenmawr – Conwy
  • Rhyl Central – Denbighshire
  • Cricceith Traeth y Promenade – Gwynedd
  • Tywyn – Gwynedd
  • Aberavon – Neath Port Talbot
  • Cold Knap – Vale of Glamorgan
  • Jacksons Bay – Vale of Glamorgan
  • Whitmore Bay – Vale of Glamorgan

GREEN COAST AWARD

  • Silver Bay, Rhoscolyn – Anglesey
  • Cilborth – Ceredigion
  • Llanrhystud – Ceredigion
  • Mwnt – Ceredigion
  • Penbryn – Ceredigion
  • Bracelet Bay – Swansea
  • Abereiddy – Pembrokeshire
  • Freshwater East – Pembrokeshire
  • Manorbier – Pembrokeshire
  • Penally – Pembrokeshire
  • Caerfai – Pembrokeshire
  • Druidston – Pembrokeshire
  • West Angle Bay – Pembrokeshire