It is a popular coastal seaside resort, with around 2,600 residents, on the east-facing south coast of the Llŷn Peninsula at the southern terminus of the A499.

[3] In the dry summer of 2018, aerial photography at Fach Farm, some 1100 metres north of the bridge over the Afon Soch, identified crop marks that were reported as a possible Roman fortlet.

High-resolution geophysics in 2019 revealed evidence of a complex defended enclosure, unlike Roman military structures but suggesting a pre-Roman date.

Nearby Porth Neigwl is also popular for surfing; it can hold large swells in the winter which can reach 1.5 metres (4.9 ft); however, the prevailing south-westerly winds can affect quality[citation needed].

Boat trips around St Tudwal's Islands (one of which is owned by the famous survival instructor, Bear Grylls) to see the seals and other wildlife are available from the village.

[9][10] This has led locals, through the YesCymru campaign, to protest against rising house prices which push families away from the coastal towns where they were raised, [11] as a result of high numbers of holiday lets compared with low numbers of families, Abersoch primary school was forced to close.

[24] Ysgol Botwnnog, situated 5 miles (8.0 km) inland from Abersoch, provides Welsh-medium secondary education to pupils from the village.