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Beaches

South Devon has some of the best beaches in England – crystal clear waters, large sandy beaches and beautiful secluded coves.

With over 120 miles of stunning coastline running from Seaton to Plymouth, South Devon has over 50 beaches just waiting to be explored and enjoyed - view our South Devon Beaches Map to find them all.

Family Friendly Beaches

Kids and families will love the sandy beaches where you can spend hours building sandcastles and discovering creatures in rock pools, and many have lifeguards throughout the summer for extra safety. Plenty of beaches in South Devon have awards for water and beach quality, so you can be sure the kids are having good clean fun. If you want to know a bit more about beach safety – please see our safety guide.

Watersports

Sailing, surfing, kayaking, paddleboarding – and more – the beaches in South Devon are watersports havens – whether you are trying for the first time or a seasoned professional – there is no better way to explore the South Devon coastline than getting out on the water.

Dog Friendly Beaches

Many of the beaches in South Devon are dog friendly – some all year round and some just in the winter. So bring all the family and enjoy long strolls on the beach or a dip in the sea – check out our dog friendly beach guidefor more information.

To help you find your perfect beach in South Devon, we have developed our Top 10 beaches list with something for everyone, or if you want to explore further – we have a beach map for your convenience.

The South West Coast Path

If you want to get out and explore the coastline, take a walk along The South West Coast Path, which will guide you along the stunning panoramic sweep of coast, and also allow access to some hidden coves and beaches.

The South West Coast Path runs the length of the South Devon coast - and so you can be sure of well-kept and marked paths and signage to show you the way.

The Jurassic Coast

The Jurassic Coast covers 95 miles of stunning coastline running from Exmouth in South Devon to Studland in Dorset. The start of this coastline, in Exmouth, is marked with a five metre high ‘geo needle’ at Orcombe Point. The cliffs and beaches along the route record 185 million years of the earth’s history.

A geological ‘walk through time’ this part of the UK coastline spans the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods and was awarded England’s first natural World Heritage Site status in 2001.

Much of Devon’s Jurassic Coast lies within the East Devon AONB meaning it’s an ideal habitat for rare and important plants, birds and animals. You might even spot dolphins and basking sharks whilst exploring.

Further Resources

If you would like further information then we recommend you check out other popular pages on our site such as Maps, Things To Do, Attractions, Accommodation, Hotels, Bed & Breakfasts, Holiday Parks, Holiday Cottages, What's On, Events and Wedding Venues. Alternatively, you can also check out some of our popular town and village pages such as Salcombe, Dartmouth, Newton Abbot, Exmouth, Sidmouth, Teignmouth, Dawlish and Tiverton.

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Number of results: 48

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Budleigh Salterton Beach

Address

Budleigh Salterton, Devon, EX9 6NG

Telephone
01395 445275

Budleigh Salterton beach is a long pebble beach along the stunning Jurassic Coastline in East Devon.

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Goodrington Sands Paignton

Address

Paignton, Devon, TQ4 6LN

Telephone
01803 665485

beaches@torbay.gov.uk

Paignton

Located close to Paignton on the South Devon coast, Goodrington has everything your family needs for a traditional seaside holiday. Goodrington beach is divided into two parts, the North Beach and the South Beach. If you’re bringing the dog, you can…

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TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
286 reviews
Wembury Beach

Address

Wembury, Wembury, Nr Plymouth, Devon

Wembury, Nr Plymouth

Wembury beach is perfect if you’re looking for a great family holiday. It’s set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and has enough sand for sunbathing, along with a huge number of rock pools to explore. The waters are clean and have won an…

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Otter Estuary Nature Reserve

Address

Budleigh Salterton, EAST DEVON, Devon

EAST DEVON

This compact and accessible estuary supports a particularly well developed saltmarsh flora that includes such characteristic plants as glasswort, sea puslane, and sea lavender.

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Coryton Cove Beach

Address

Dawlish, Devon

Telephone
+44 01626 215665

Dawlish

Rock pools to explore, occasional sightings of dolphins, brightly coloured painted beach huts, coupled with a sandy beach makes Coryton Cove a perfect day out.

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Soar Mill Cove Beach

Address

Soar Mill Cove, Nr Salcombe, Devon, TQ8 8LH

Nr Salcombe

A tiny remote sandy inlet set below the craggy black towers of Bolt Head. Access only on foot via the South West Coast Path or somewhat less dauntingly from the Soar Mill Cove Hotel. Or visit by canoe or boat from Salcombe.

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TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
25 reviews
East Portlemouth Beaches

Address

East Portlemouth, Nr Salcombe, Devon

Nr Salcombe

Opposite the town of Salcombe on the eastern side of the estuary is a long sandy stretch skirting round the coast from East Portlemouth almost to the open sea. East Portlemouth beach is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

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Shaldon Beach

Address

-, Shaldon, Devon, TQ14 0DP

Telephone
+44 01626 215666

Shaldon

Shaldon beach is located at the mouth if the River Teign and is a gently sloping mix of sand and shingle that levels out at the river estuary. It’s a popular beach during the summer, but if you fancy a quieter time its sheltered position makes it a…

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South Milton Sands

Address

Thurlestone, Nr Kingsbridge, Devon

Nr Kingsbridge

If you want sand, stunning scenery and the chance to see rare wildlife on your holiday then Milton Sands has got the lot. It’s set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and behind the beach you can discover wetlands that have been designated as…

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TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
1492 reviews
Exmouth Beach

Address

Exmouth, Devon, EX8 1NZ

Telephone
01395 222299

Exmouth

Two miles of golden sand and fascinating rock pools

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TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
163 reviews
Seaton Beach

Address

East Walk, Seaton, Devon, EX12 2LN

Telephone
01297 21660

Seaton

Overlooking Lyme Bay and surrounded by beautiful countryside, Seaton Beach is a large pebble beach stetchching over a mile long. Gently sloping, the beach is an ideal spot for swimming or water sports - and there kayaks or Stand up Paddleboards can…

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TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
443 reviews
Bigbury on Sea Beach

Address

Bigbury, Nr Kingsbridge, Devon, TQ7 4AZ

Telephone
01548 843558

Nr Kingsbridge

Bigbury on Sea is a popular family beach and great for windsurfing and kite surfing. A stunning sandy beach in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) joined by causeway to Burgh Island. Shallow water for paddling and rock pools for exploring.

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TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
410 reviews
Slapton Sands and Torcross Beach

Address

Slapton, Devon, TQ7 2TQ

Slapton

Slapton Sands is a beautiful pebble beach that stretched for almost two miles from Strete Gate to the village of Torcross. Don't let the pebbles put you off, its a great beach with plenty of room to have a large piece of it to yourself!

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Broadsands Beach Paignton

Address

Paignton, Devon, TQ4 6LL

Telephone
01803 207975

beaches@torbay.gov.uk

Paignton

In between Paignton and Brixham is Broadsands on the English Riviera, South Devon’s Beautiful Bay. With a long sandy beach the whole family can enjoy, you can make sandcastles for a couple of hours and then paddle in the calm sea.

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Salcombe North Sands Beach

Address

Salcombe, Devon

Salcombe

Crouched between two headlands in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), the beach is rural in character yet conveniently close to the facilities of the town of Salcombe. The beach is totally submerged at high tide.

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Beesands Beach

Address

Close to Kingsbridge in South Devon, Beesands has got all the right ingredients for a great beach holiday. It’s a mile-long shingle beach backed by fields and a freshwater lake. If you want a taste of old-school Devon life then this is the place…

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Challaborough Beach

Address

Challaborough, Kingsbridge, Devon

Kingsbridge

Challaborough Bay Beach is a sheltered horseshoe cove with a fine sandy beach and rugged cliffs in the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
The beach is great for building sand castles and a low tide rock pools are exposed…

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Holcombe Beach

Address

Holcombe, Teignmouth, Devon, EX7 0JL

dawtic@teignbridge.gov.uk

Holcombe, Teignmouth

A small cove situated at the base of the cliffs between Teignmouth and Dawlish. A small isolated beach used primarily by local residents.

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Fishcombe Cove

Address

Brixham, Devon, TQ5 8RB

Telephone
01803 207975

beaches@torbay.gov.uk

Brixham

Fishcombe Cove is ideal if you want to escape the crowds. Situated along the coast from Brixham, this small shingle beach is a quiet, peaceful little cove protected on all sides by tall red cliffs.

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Thurlestone Beach

Address

Thurlestone, Kingsbridge, Devon, TQ7 3JS

Kingsbridge

Thurlestone Beach is great for families - with golden sands, clean safe waters and lifeguards during the summer

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Sandy Bay

Address

Exmouth, Devon

Exmouth

Sandy Bay in Exmouth is a half-mile long privately owned beach which is sheltered and ideal for families. The beach is good for swimming and water sports, and there is a lifeguard during the summer months.

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