Oddicombe Beach Torquay

If you fancy dodging the crowds and really getting away from the stresses and strains of everyday life, Oddicombe beach is one of South Devon’s quieter beaches – although there’s still plenty to do and see here.

Award-Winning Beach

Oddicombe beach has won a number of awards including the much sought-after Blue Flag Award, the Quality Coast Award and is featured in the Good Beach Guide. If you’re bringing little ones to Oddicombe beach, you can be sure that the waters are clean and there are safe shallows for them to play in. Disabled access allows anyone with mobility restrictions to come and enjoy the sights and sounds of the promenade, but access via the steps directly onto the beach isn’t that easy.

Facilities for Holidaymakers

During the summer months you won’t be able to walk your dog on Oddicombe beach, although there is a dog-walking area available on nearby Babbacombe beach. If you’re a surfer or bodyboarder then you probably already know how good this beach is for catching some really good drops. For non-surfers who still like to mess about in the water there are paddleboats and sailboats for hire. Lifeguard patrol boats routinely check the waters for signs of trouble and there are warning flags to inform visitors where it is safe to bathe and when the water is off limits. You can pick up a flag guide at the local Post Office so you don’t get caught out. On the beach, there are first-aid facilities and a lost child centre, so youngsters have an easily identifiable landmark to head for if they become separated from the rest of their group.

A beachside café offers refreshments and light meals throughout the day and, if you’re feeling hardy enough to brave the steep slope, there’s another café on the cliff-top. But if you want to get up the cliff without breaking a sweat there’s also a cliff railway. Back on the beach, there are showers available to rinse away the sand and salt. Oddicombe provides an ideal and safe beach holiday destination with plenty of local attractions to keep you busy if the weather turns chilly.