The ultimate Salcombe beaches guide

Looking for a stunning spot to enjoy a wonderful beach holiday with safe waters and pristine sand? The picturesque town of Salcombe in Devon offers a number of magnificent beaches with a range of attractions, from glorious stretches of sand to beautiful waters where you can enjoy some relaxing bathing. The Salcombe beaches below have handy facilities and are a fabulous day out for couples, families and individuals alike. Grab your buckets and spades, pack the swimsuit and towel and get ready for a marvellous beach break.

Mill Bay

The clean and safe waters of Mill Bay make this privately owned beach perfect for families who want to enjoy some fun swimming during their visit. Dogs are also welcome and there are toilets and limited parking, though the beach can be accessed by ferry from Salcombe as well. During low tide, a number of rock pools are exposed which are fantastic for discovering their watery treasures.

East Portlemouth

East Portlemouth consists of several small beaches including Mill Bay, Small's Cove and Fisherman’s Cove. East Portlemouth is a good choice if you’re looking for somewhere quiet to enjoy a beach holiday. Each beach has a Safe Bathing status so they are great for families with young children. An abundance of rock pools are accessible at low tide and there is the opportunity to try sailing water sports at nearby sailing clubs. Toilets, a café and parking are available near East Portlemouth. Dogs are welcome and the National Trust Coast Path is also close by if you want to explore the striking surrounding landscape on foot.

Sunny Cove

Across the estuary opposite Salcombe is the pretty beach of Sunny Cove. Though it can’t be reached by car, this beach is accessible by boat from Salcombe or on foot via the South West Coast Path. Furry friends are welcomed on Sunny Cove. The lack of car access doesn’t prevent this beach from getting busy and it is very popular during the high season.

North Sands

Situated south of Salcombe in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, North Sands (pictured above) is a warm, golden beach offering visitors a lovely area to laze away the day. Enjoy the pretty scenery and grab a bite to eat at the nearby café. This is the closest beach to Salcombe and facilities include parking and toilets. At high tide, the beach is completely covered. This beach is dog-friendly so it’s suitable for all members of the family, whether human or waggy-tailed.

South Sands

The South Sands are excellent for water sports, with a variety of nearby options for hiring equipment for windsurfing, canoeing, dinghy sailing and scuba diving. Parking and toilets are also available on this Blue Flag winner. Situated within a cove, the beach is protected from winds and is ideal for some laidback sun tanning while the waters are also safe for bathing. You can enjoy a ferry ride from the beach to Whitestrand Quay and choose from a variety of local dining venues if the sea air is making you hungry.

Stunning sea and pristine sand for a brilliant beach holiday

With their beautiful scenery, safe waters and opportunities for fun outdoor activities, plan on spending a few days discovering each of these stunning beaches. Salcombe offers a number of events throughout the year which can be enjoyed as well during your visit. It’s worth checking these out in case you want to coordinate your holiday to coincide with these events. There are a number of camping and caravanning sites to choose from in and around the town so you can benefit from a comfortable and convenient base for exploring the superb, family-friendly beaches that Salcombe has to offer.