Beaches in Salcombe

Salcombe is encompassed by some of the loveliest beaches in South Devon. From secret craggy coves to white-sandy bays, this enchanting coastal haunt remains ever-popular with families, friends, kids, couples and anyone who appreciates the seaside. If you love the thought of spending dulcet days relaxing on sun-kissed shores with the tide lapping gently at your feet, Salcombe is the holiday destination for you.

North Sands

Only a short stroll from Salcombe town centre, North Sands is sheltered by wooded hillsides and backed by farmers’ meadows. The crystal clear waters are considered safe and calm, while the soft, golden sands that shelve gently into the sea make the beach ideal for paddling. On the eastern rocky shelf stands the ruins of Fort Charles, the last of the royalist strongholds to hold out during the English Civil War and an impressive backdrop to this beautiful setting. At low tide there’s ample space for beach games and sandcastle building, plus there’s plenty of parking, picnic tables and a café close by. The occasional offshore breeze sometimes throws up some decent swells and breaks making the beach a best-kept secret among local surfers. It’s also dog-friendly all year round.

South Sands

A little further round the leafy headland lies South Sands Beach, another sheltered enclave blessed with soft, golden sands and inviting turquoise waters. A wending freshwater brook trickles down the beach which is overlooked by the sub-tropical clifftop gardens on the Bolt Head promontory, known as Overbeck’s. The adventure paddling company, Sea Kayak Salcombe, operate from the slipway where you’ll also find a beachside café, the ideal place to unwind after a relaxing paddle exploring the local coves. The iconic South Sands Ferryboat is another tenant of these precious shores, aided by a vintage sea tractor and transporting foot passengers to and from Salcombe’s Whitestrand Quay. There is limited parking available making the scenic ferry trip a welcome option during the busier summer months. Dogs are allowed on this family-friendly beach which has also been known to attract one or two A-list celebrities.

East Portlemouth Beach

Also known as Fisherman’s Cove, this inviting sandy stretch on the opposite side of Salcombe Harbour becomes a sequence of smaller coves during times of high water, all adding to its seaside charm. The shallow shelving waters are ideal for kids and tots, and the soft, rare sands are great for all those audacious frisbee catches and beach cricket dives. Mainly, you’ll just want to lie back and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of these quieter shores backed by a wooded hillside and the South West Coast Path as it wends its way towards Prawle Point. The easiest way to reach this idyllic beach is by way of the East Portlemouth Ferry, a classic clinker built, open top launch which regularly tos and fros the bustling Salcombe Harbour waters. Perched above the East Portlemouth ferry landing is the Venus Café, which serves up a range of treats and gourmet delights. Dogs are welcome on the beach all year round.

Sunny Cove

As the name would suggest, this secluded inlet catches the full glare of the summer sun. With spectacular views towards the honey-coloured shores of North Sands and the wooded cliffs besides, this quiet little cove is one of the Salcombe Estuary’s hidden gems, the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. If you’re in the mood for a coastal ramble, the South West Coast Path is easily found winding along a leafy, sun-dappled stretch behind the yarrow-speckled scarp. There is limited parking available at East Portlemouth village, however, your best bet is to hop aboard the East Portlemouth Ferry (from Salcombe) and follow either the shoreline or coastal path past Biddlehead Point. Alternatively, you could hire a stand up paddle board or kayak and come and go at your leisure. Another of Salcombe’s dog-friendly beaches.

Soar Mill Cove

Farmers’ fields and grassy cliffs back this idyllic cove found not far north of Bolt Head. The ebbing tide reveals a soft sandy shoreline that gently shelves into the inviting waters around the Ham Stone. At low tide, the exposed rocks and crags are great for rock-pooling and crab catching. Sea thrift and wild yarrow adorn the valley path that leads down to this quiet, lesser-known beach where seals are often seen bobbing around the outcrops. If you’re really lucky, you might also catch the awesome sight of a peregrine falcon diving upon its heathland quarry. Many walkers discover the cove by way of the South West Coast Path as it winds and undulates towards Bolt Tail before descending the woody trails to the historic fishing village of Hope Cove. There are car parking spaces available at the nearby Soar Mill Hotel, where you’ll also be able to enjoy a sumptuous strawberry cream tea with all the trimmings. The beach is dog-friendly with no restrictions, but please be respectful of the farmers’ livestock that also roam the coastal meadows.

Hope Cove

The characterful seaside village of Hope Cove lies westerly of Salcombe and is sheltered by the majestic Bolt Tail headland. It’s home to two sandy bays, Inner and Outer Hope. Backed by wooded and sandstone cliffs and with far-reaching views towards Bigbury Bay, both beaches are popular with families and ideal for beach games, swimming, paddling, sandcastle building and rock-pooling. Mouthwell Sands, the smaller and most northerly of the pair, benefits from a lifeguarding service during the summer season and is generally more popular due to its close proximity to the village’s pubs, restaurants and amenities. It’s also short walking distance from Outer Hope’s pay and display car park. Dogs are allowed on the larger harbour beach all year round but must be kept on leads. There’s a seasonal daytime ban on dogs on Mouthwell Sands between May and September.

Thurlestone Sands

Set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Thurlestone Sands is a lovely beach for bathers who every year flock to these South Devon shores to enjoy the shallow, inviting waters. A rocky outcrop separates the golden sands from a smaller, more secluded northerly beach known as Leas Foot which is backed by the lush, green fairways of Thurlestone Golf Club and sheltered by the headland of Warren Point. Both beaches are ideal for rock pooling and snorkelling adventures on the ebbing tide, and the giant arched ‘thirled stone’ remains one of the region’s most cherished landmarks - best admired at times of high water. A popular beachside café is on hand to keep you and your tribe refreshed, and the historic village pub, The Village Inn, is only a short stroll away up the quiet primrose lanes. Watersports equipment is available for hire via Surfin’ Sam Watersports and seasonal lifeguarding services are in operation. Dogs are allowed on both beaches all year round. Ample parking is available, as are public toilets.

Bantham & Bigbury-On-Sea

Backed by rolling South Devon hills and sand dunes, Bantham is a long, sweeping stretch of sugar-soft sands on the eastern flank of the mouth of the River Avon. Across the Avon lies Bigbury-on-Sea, another golden bay with a sandy causeway that at low tide provides passage to the famous outcrop known as Burgh Island. Surfers flock to these waters, all enticed by the gleaming breaks and barrelling rollers of Bigbury Bay; it’s also a hub for two of the region’s leading surfing academies. Bantham has a large car park and picnic area located behind the grassy dunes where you’ll also find The Gastrobus and its popular gourmet menu. Toilet facilities are available near the car park entrance.

Lifeguards patrol both beaches during the summer season and dogs are not permitted on Bantham Beach between 1st May and 30th September and banned from Bigbury-on-Sea (both north and south beaches) all year round. South Devon’s largest watersports shop is only a couple of miles away in the neighbouring parish of Churchstow, where you’ll find a wide range of surf equipment, including surfboards from leading global surfboard shapers, kayaks and bodyboards. There’s a lovely selection of traditional pubs and inns all the way along this beautiful coastal corridor; Bantham’s Sloop Inn and Burgh Island’s Pilchard Inn (once a notorious smugglers’ haunt) are both within easy strolling distance.