I am a fairweather camper, if at all, but I have been known to frequent one Welsh beach that has been named one of the UK’s best and pitch up a tent. Shell Island in Gwynedd was the regional winner in The Times’ ‘UK’s 50 top beaches’ list.
Shell Island, the English name for Mochras, has one of Europe’s largest campsites and is cut off from the mainland by the tide for around two hours every day. The Times commented on the views from Shell Island over to Harlech and beyond across the Eryri National Park (Snowdonia). They said: “At the northern end, around the harbour, the shore is rocky — turning to flat, sugar-soft sand as you head south.
“The beachcombing is astonishing: perfect scallops, fragile tusks and razors, unblemished turitellas and, most prized by conchologists [someone who studies shells], tiny cowries.”
I have been to Shell Island a couple of times to camp and have nothing but fond memories. From crabbing to star gazing, a family trip to Shell Islands is nothing but wholesome, simple joy that is hard to find anywhere else.
Your journey to this gem off the Welsh coast starts on the main causeway, the only road in and out of the island.
You have to time it right, though, as the tide times will affect when you can make the trip over.
The island itself is filled with lush fields and sand hills, perfect for your children to create an imaginary adventure.
When I went, it was difficult for my mobile to get a phone signal, but don’t let that put you off. This is actually a blessing, as you can forget the world exists and enjoy the peace of this beautiful spot on Earth.
The campsite is big, so there are plenty of spots that will suit you and your needs. One year we scoped out a little U-shaped enclave lined with trees, providing a natural boarder for the children and shielding us from some of the Great British weather.
Another year, we had a spot on a hill, giving us incredible views across the site.
Because of its location, the night sky is bejewelled with stars – more than I have ever seen anywhere in my life. Back in 2018, we accidentally timed our summer visit with the Perseid meteor shower.
After toasted marshmallows and a story around the campfire, we spent the night watching meteors dance across the sky.
Days at Shell Island were filled with rolling down sand hills, strolls along the beachh a with its pristine golden sand, clear, ice blue waters and shells of all kinds at every step. A dip in the sea, even if it is just your feet, is a must as is crabbing among the rocks by the causeway.
But you don’t have to stay on the island; you can use it as a base to visit some of the amazing places nearby, such as Harlech Castle or the Rhaeadr Nantcol waterfalls.
Shell Island has toilets and showers on site as well as a supermarket. It doesn’t have electrical hook up points, but you can charge electrical items in the shop for a fee.
It is dog-friendly, with dogs being allowed on certain fields. It is £13 per person per night in the high season, or you can pay £10 per car for a day trip.
Get more information on prices, facilities and tide times on the Shell Island website.