South Milton Sands
Serviced by a National Trust car park, this is gorgeous west-facing beach which is home to the iconic Thurlestone Rock. A truly lovely beach to enjoy the sunset, have a BBQ below the dunes, or grab a bite to eat at The Beachhouse. BEST FOR: Dogs, Paddleboarding, Rockpooling, Foiling, Sunset BBQs, Beachhouse
North Sands
Easily accessed from the car park next to The Winking Prawn, this is probably the best Salcombe beach to go paddleboarding and swimming from as it’s nicely sheltered and home to North Sands Watersports. BEST FOR: Dogs, Sheltered paddleboarding & swimming.
South Sands
A beautiful beach and probably Salcombe’s most famous. A fun way to arrive at the beach being the popular South Sands ferry. There is also a great selection of places to eat and drink. BEST FOR: Ferry - tractor beach arrival, beach cafe, restaurants.
Ditchend
A lovely quiet beach across the water at East Portlemouth, perfectly sheltered against south-westerlies coming up the estuary. A short walk from the ferry. BEST FOR: Tranquility, Venus cafe, watching the Salcombe madness!
Small’s
A beautiful little beach, often packed with small sailing dinghies. BEST FOR: Budding junior sailors, small families, short walk from Salcombe ferry. Dog friendly.
Mill Bay
East Portlemouth’s largest beach, with beautiful sand and turquoise blue waters. Also has a National Trust car park. BEST FOR: lovely lazy day on the beach swimming and sunbathing, with great coastal walk around to Sunny Cove and Gara Rock. Dog friendly.
Sunny Cove
A favourite with the locals, but you need to know the tides and rocks to safely anchor here, lots of people get caught out by the shorebreak! Lovely beach that makes the most of the late afternoon sunshine. BEST FOR: Picnics, family beach base for small boats heading out of the mouth for waterskiing and fishing. Dog friendly.
Soar Mill Cove
A gorgeous beach in a very picturesque valley between Bolthead and Bolberry. Not ao easy to access since the hotel took over the car park, but a just reward for walking from Bolberry or East Soar. BEST FOR: Epic coastal walk with halfway pit stop at the beach. Dog friendly.
Gara Rock
Overlooking the sea, this is a cracking expanse of sand with a real wildness to it. Accessed from Gara Rock Hotel or via the coastal path. BEST FOR: Large beach at low tide, and usually nice and empty. Dog friendly.
Leas Foot
This is a lovely little horseshow cove next to Thurlestone Golf Club. A beautiful little bay to swim in with very good water quality. BBQs are allowed or there are good pit stops nearby at the Village Pub, Rock Box, or The Beach House. BEST FOR: BBQs and swimming. Dog friendly.
Bantham
A fantastic surf beach with some lovely waves when the swell is right. Also great for walking, rock-pooling, and the Bantham Swoosh, where you bob, paddle, or float down the river towards the mouth, kids love it! Nice place for Dads to fish too, plus there are good food options. BEST FOR: Surfing, swooshing, fishing, streetfood catering vans. Can be very busy though. Part dog-friendly - check map on arrival.
Bigbury
The other side of the river from Bantham, with the special draw of Burgh Island, and it’s famous tractor ferry. There is a nice pub on the island called The Pilchard Inn, and of course the legendary Burgh Island Hotel. BEST FOR: Burgh Island. Dog friendly.
Mothercombe
A bit further to drive but well worth a visit. This is a south-facing beach at the mouth of the delightful River Erme, and the whole area is simply stunning, with great walks, and a lovely cafe/restaurant called The School House.. BEST FOR: Idyllic beach, dog walk, estuary paddling, high quality al fresco cafe. Dog friendly.
Wonwell
The other side of the river from Mothercombe and hence not as far to drive. Parking can be tricky in the summer but this is a magical spot, and great for paddleboarding too. BEST FOR: Early morning/evening walk, paddleboard, BBQ. Dog friendly.
Thurlestone
A long curve of sand perfect for evening barbies. Low tide reveals a lot of rock pools which are great for bass fishing when the tide returns, or snorkelling over when the sea is calm. BEST FOR: Evening picnics and BBQs, snorkelling, fishing. Dog friendly.
Yarma
A magnificent beach often walked past as the way down to it is rather steep. But if you make the effort it is a wonderful secluded spot, beware the occasional nudist! BEST FOR: Privacy, shell-hunting.
Ayrmer Cove
A wonderfully rugged coastline and dogwalk down from the village of Ringmore. But let’s face it, the main reason to go is the opportunity to visit the Journey’s End Inn, a pub with real character! BEST FOR: Windy walk followed by proper pub lunch.
Maceley and Elender cove
Accessible via footpath, but more fun to arrive by boat, but choose a calm day! A lovely cove but watch out for rocks! BEST FOR: Exclusive cove that feels like something out of a Bond movie.
Hallsands
A very scenic spot with a totally different feel to it than the beaches to the west. This feels like something out of a bygone era, and in fact there is still the remains of an old village that fell into the sea. Great walking to and from Beesands. BEST FOR: Protected beach from westerly winds, dog walking, history, diving for scallops.
Beesands
Like Hallsands this is a village from another era, with huge amounts of charm. There is also a genuinely great pub with amazing friendly service (The Cricket) and another good spot for fish and chips (Brittania on the Beach). BEST FOR: Dog walks, fish and chips, The Cricket Inn.
Slapton Sands
Lovely long stretch of beach on a sunny day. Not sandy but pebbly, but don’t let that put you off. There is also a lovely little booth cafe as well (Lime Cafe) which serves great coffee. BEST FOR: A totally different beach experience.
Blackpool sands
This is a beautiful beach backed by evergreens and scented pines, giving it a really Mediterranean feel. It is very well-managed with great facilicities, but not dog-friendly. BEST FOR: Luxury beach experience if you don’t have dogs.