From winter dips to year-round wild swims, Coastal Cottages has swimmers covered with its wide selection of seaside properties within easy reach of the best open water spots.

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Apartments perfect for Tenby's Boxing Day Dip

Arguably the best Boxing Day swim in Wales, this dip takes place annually on the 26th of December on North Beach,Tenby. It starts at 11am with swimmers taking to the water from 11:30am onwards.

Now in its 52nd year, the atmosphere is electric and the community involvement  huge with soup and medals provided to those who take part (providing they present their authorised wristband). Fancy dress is encouraged with the 2024 theme being superheroes, in honour of their chosen charity - the RNLI. Celebrating their 200th anniversary in 2024, the RNLI plays a significant role in this harbourside Welsh town. To enter, head to the official Tenby Boxing Day Swim website – cost £11.55pp.

Moments from North Beach and all the swim action, The Cabin is the first-floor Grade II listed apartment sleeping up to six people. Roald Dahl stayed here every Easter with his family from 1920 to 1938. Every room has stunning but different sea views and there is a balcony on the Harbour side which catches the sun for most of the day. (Children under 10 cannot stay here but babies under 1 are welcome) A week's stay in The Cabin for up to six starts arriving on 21 December costs £1424, saving £475. (www.coastalcottages.co.uk, 01437 765 765) Images here

1 Sunnycove overlooks North Beach in Tenby so, is a fabulous location for watching or participating in the swim. Large windows maximise the wonderful sea views from nearly every window and the comfortable open plan lounge/dining room has French doors opening to a small balcony - an ideal spot to see the swimmers. Steps lead down directly to North Beach below and the bustling, harbour town of Tenby with its pretty, cobbled streets, restaurants and shops are all within a few minutes' walk. A week's stay for up to four arriving on 21 December costs from £1147, saving £383. (www.coastalcottages.co.uk, 01437 765 765) Images here

The New Year swim in Saundersfoot

Kick start 2025 with a dip in the cold Welsh waters at Saundersfoot's Annual New Year's Day Swim - fancy dress is optional. Each year over 2500 swimmers take to the icy sea between 1230 and 130pm on January 1 to chase away their hangovers with an invigorating start to the New Year – expect warms ups, entertainment and live music. Adult entry is £5 and £3 for under 16s, charity donations also welcome. Every swimmer gets a medal and there are prizes for best fancy dress too. http://www.saundersfootnyds.co.uk/index.html

4 The Strand is the ideal base for those looking to watch or take part in the swim. Patio doors lead from the spacious living area onto the stylish wooden veranda, perfect for enjoying a pre or post swim coffee. There are steps from the veranda to the patio and a gate leads to the beach over a low groyne with a drop directly on to the sand. All the amenities of Saundersfoot are on the doorstep. A week's stay for up to six is £1541, saving £386 based on six sharing arriving on 28 December 2024. (www.coastalcottages.co.uk, 01437 765765) Images here

Fancy a festive or winter swim? Then follow the Outdoor Swimming Society's Do's and Don't see here

Properties perfect for year-round beach swims at Whitesands

Overlooked by the imposing craggy tor of Carn Llidi, made of very old volcanic rock dating back almost 5000 million years, is the Blue Flag-awarded Whitesands Beach. A popular swimming spot, this beach is in a stunning part of Pembrokeshire within the St Davids peninsula.

Ty Gwyn Farmhouse is set above Whitesands beach meaning guests are just minutes from a sea swim. Deceptively spacious, this comfortable holiday home is perfect for either two families or mixed generations to get together with two staircases leading to the bedrooms above. There are sea views from nearly every room and plenty of original features. Step into the warm and welcoming dining room with its Rayburn and large table, perfect for enjoying family meals together. A week's stay for up to nine starts from £1350 in 2025. (www.coastalcottages.co.uk, 01437 765765) Images here

Foxhole Cottage is located directly above Whitesands Beach so ideally located for those who like a daily swim. Step inside and there are views of the sea from all west facing windows. There is an enclosed lawn to the south facing front, together with a hide-away cwtch that's been built into the hedge overlooking the beach; the surrounding fenced farm field provides plenty of space for children to play. A week's stay for up to six starts from £854 in 2025. (www.coastalcottages.co.uk, 01437 765765) Images

Quarry swimming options

The Blue Lagoon in Abereiddy is an old slate quarry that closed in 1910. A narrow channel between the quarry and the sea created an artificial harbour. Today, the Blue Lagoon at Abereiddy Beach is a 25-metre drop pool in a mesmerising blue-green shade that gets its unique colour from the grey slate. The coastline in and around Abereiddy has become a playground for adventure enthusiasts. It's a popular spot for cliff-diving, coasteering and open-water sea swimming.

Being so sheltered within the old quarry, the Blue Lagoon is also great for nervous swimmers who don't want to take on the open ocean..

For a traditional rural escape with swimming and adventure on the doorstep, Swn Y Mor ticks a lot of boxes. Listen to the sound of the sea from its ample terrace or curl up in front of the log burner. Outside there is a fire pit on the terrace and the dark skies there are amazing.

In a beautiful spot, the cottage is close to both Abereiddy beach and the wonderful National Trust Coastal Path which links into the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path.  Traeth Llyfn, one of Pembrokeshire's most beautiful beaches, is also only 1 mile away and is well worth the climb down the steps Seven-night stays for up to six in three bedrooms start from £725 in 2025. (www.coastalcottages.co.uk 01437 765 765) Images here

Bwthyn Gerrig, in a quiet spot near Abereiddy, is a stone cottage sleeping up to six just a 10-minute stroll from the beach and the Blue Lagoon. It's perfect for a family self-catering holiday, thanks to its superbly equipped kitchen and dining room.  The big dining table is in an adjacent room through an arch so the cook can chat with family while busy preparing supper, too.

The cottage has a big, light and airy lounge as well, with sofas, TV etc, two double rooms and bathrooms downstairs, and a third bedroom with two single beds accessed via a spiral staircase that's great for the kids. Seven-night stays for up to six in three bedrooms start from £600 in 2025. (www.coastalcottages.co.uk 01437 765 765) Images here

Rosebush Quarry

Located south of the sweeping Preseli Mountains, Rosebush Quarry, is a hidden gem.  At its centre is a tranquil lake, with the waters coloured green from the slate rock surrounding it.

The walk to the quarry is short and almost entirely flat. On a hot day, a swim in the sparkling emerald water beneath the fern-covered cliff walls of Rosebush Quarry is an unforgettable experience. It's very secluded and big, so is ideal for those who love a long, leisurely swim.

Just a 10 minute drive from the quarry, Y Sied  is a pretty stone cottage for two with an open plan sitting and dining room. The cottage is also perfectly placed for exploring the little-known Preseli Hills and just a 10-minute stroll downhill to the coastal village of Newport with its pubs, shops and restaurants and popular farmers' market. Swimming can also be enjoyed at Aberfforest, Cwm Yr Eglwys and Pwllgwaelod beaches. A week's stay for two starts from £477 in 2025. (www.coastalcottages.co.uk 01437 765 765) Images of Y Sied here. 

Ty Top is a delightful, quaint, end of terrace stone cottage set on an ancient track beneath Carn Ingli (the hill of the angels) mountain above the village of Newport and just a 10-minute drive from Rosebush Quarry.

The stunning first floor lounge features a wood burning stove and comfy sofas and the unique window seat in the eaves gives the most breathtaking views out over Newport town, the golden sands of the beach and out to sea. On the ground floor, there's two spacious bedrooms and a modern fitted kitchen leads into a spacious dining area that's great for family meals. The shops, pubs, restaurants and galleries in the popular coastal town of Newport are only half a mile away with the beautiful Newport Sands beach a little further on. A week's stay for four starts from £698 in 2025. (www.coastalcottages.co.uk, 01437 765765) Images here