Ayrmer Cove
Satnav: TQ7 4HL
A remote, quiet, National Trust beach with sand, shingle, pebbles and rock pools. Accessible from the South West Coast Path, and via a 1km walk from the National Trust car park at Ringmore, with a choice of footpaths. Refreshments available in Ringmore.
Bantham Beach
Satnav: TQ7 3AJ
A large flat sandy beach, and renowned for being the best surfing beach in South Devon. Good rocks for rock pooling, sand dunes and large car park. Dogs are permitted all year round, however restrictions apply on the main beach between May 1st and September 30th.
Beesands Beach
Satnav: TQ7 2EN
A busy, vibrant pebble beach still used today by local fishermen. with stunning views across Start Bay. Ideal for children and dogs, but be careful when swimming as the beach shelves.
Bigbury-on-Sea
Satnav: TQ7 4AZ
An excellent, award-winning sandy beach, with stunning views of Burgh Island and the South Hams coastline. A large sandy beach with tidal causeway and sea tractor from Bigbury-on-Sea to Burgh Island. Body boarding, surfing, windsurfing and kite-surfing are popular, as well as building sandcastles and dams on the beach. Popular with families and surfers. From 1 May to 30 September dogs are only allowed on the beach to the west of the causeway.
Blackpool Sands
Satnav: TQ6 0RG
One of the most stunning beaches in the South Hams. A large, golden Blue Flag shingle beach, surrounded by evergreen trees. Refreshments and facilities at the popular Venus Café. No dogs are permitted from the 1st March to 30th November.
Challaborough
Satnav: TQ7 4HU
A small, sandy beach just around the headland from Bigbury-on-Sea. Magnificent views of Burgh Island. Plenty of nearby amenities and safe bathing with lifeguard cover through the summer season. Dog bans apply from 1st May to 30th September.
East Portlemouth/Mill Bay
Satnav: TQ8 8PU
Perfect for those wanting to enjoy a day of peace and quiet this sandy beach is situated on the estuary opposite Salcombe. Access from Salcombe town via East Portlemouth passsenger ferry. Ideal beaches from which to watch the sailing life of Salcombe glide past. Perfect for families with children due to the very safe and clean swimming, plus plenty of exploring to do at low tide when there are a wealth of rock pools. National Trust car park.
Gara Rock
Satnav: TQ8 8FA
A fine shingle/sandy beach situated on the South West Coast Path between Salcombe and East Prawle. Access is down a footpath from the car park adjacent to Gara Rock Hotel, where refreshments are available in season.
Hope Cove (Harbour beach and Mouthwell)
Satnav: TQ7 3HJ
Large, sandy beaches, sheltered by the harbour wall. Ideal beach for children, sandcastles, rock pooling and safe swimming. Close to the fishing village of Hope Cove with all its facilities. No dogs from 1st May to 30th September on Mouthwell but welcome all year on Harbour Beach.
Lannacombe
Satnav: TQ7 2NH
A picturesque sandy beach with rock pools at low tide; and shingly at high tide. On the South West Coast Path. Very small car park.
Leas Foot
Satnav: TQ7 3NZ
A small, quiet sandy beach near Thurlestone Golf Club on the South West Coast Path. History of smuggling in the surrounding caves and coves.
Mattiscombe
Satnav: TQ7 2ET
Beautiful, quiet, enclosed sandy beach, extensive at low tide with interesting rock formations and caves. A mile by public footpath from Start Point Lighthouse car park.
Mothecombe
Satnav: PL8 1LB
Peaceful, quiet, unspoilt sandy beach owned by the Flete Estate and only open to the public on Saturdays, Sundays, Wednesdays and Bank Holidays. It sits near the mouth of the River Erme and is a crossing point for the South West Coast Path, where the river can be waded across at complete low water to the beach at Wonwell on the opposite bank. Dogs are not permitted from 1st May to 30th September.
North Hallsands
Satnav: TQ7 2EX
A shingle beach on the South West Coast Path between Slapton Sands and Start Point. Wonderful views across the bay, dogs are allowed and there is a car park.
Salcombe (North Sands)
Satnav: TQ8 8LD
A large, flat, sandy beach ideal for building sandcastles and going rock-pooling. Dogs allowed all year. Large car park and café/restaurant beside the beach.
Salcombe (South Sands)
Satnav: TQ8 8LL
A beautiful sandy beach at the mouth of Salcombe Harbour, a mile out of town. Accessible by car and ferry from Salcombe town. A short but strenuous uphill walk to the spectacular National Trust property and garden at Overbeck's that overlooks the beach. Dog ban applies from 1st May to 30th September.
Slapton Sands/Torcross
Satnav: TQ7 2TQ
World famous due to its use by American forces during WWII to practise for the D-Day landings. Memorials and a Sherman tank commemorate this period and the tragic loss of life in the Operation Tiger training exercise. Slapton Sands is a 3 miles long shelving bank of shingle and pebble, widely used by fishermen for casting from the beach. A road runs between the shingle bank on the seaward side and, on the other side, Slapton Ley, a freshwater lake. Torcross village, with many facilities, is at the southern end of the beach.
Soar Mill Cove
Satnav: TQ7 3DS
A small sandy and very picturesque inlet only accessible on foot, via the South West Coast Path or Soar Mill Cove Hotel, but once you arrive there is a sandy beach, rock-pooling and old fashioned family beach fun. Refreshments and toilets at the hotel.
South Milton/Thurlestone Sands
Satnav: TQ7 3JY
A large family and dog friendly sandy beach, perfect for rock pooling and beachcombing, snorkelling, scuba diving and windsurfing or paddle boarding. Seals and dolphins are regular visitors to the shore. The iconic Thurlestone Rock stands in the centre of the bay at the end of this reef. National Trust car park.
Sunny Cove
Satnav: TQ8 8PU
Accessible only from the water or on foot from the South West Coast Path this idyllic secluded beach looks out at the mouth of Salcombe Estuary. National Trust parking is available at Mill Bay and refreshments at the Venus Cafe in East Portlemouth - both of which are a 10 minute walk away.
Wonwell
Satnav: TQ7 4EY
River Erme Estuary mouth beach, completely flooded at high tides, exposing large expanse of flat sand at low tide when you can wade across to Mothecombe. Parking on roadside and short walk to beach. Refreshments available in Kingston.