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Golden sands, quiet coves, and vibrant promenades are some of the distinguishing characteristics of South Devon beaches. The diverse scenery in Devon makes it easy to see why so many people choose to spend their beach holidays here!
No matter if you prefer sand or shingle beaches, isolated coves, or beaches with a variety of watersports, you’ll be rushing to the South West coast once you learn about legendary surfing spots and smugglers’ hideouts.
Keep reading to learn more about the best South Devon beaches…
First on our list of South Devon beaches is South Sands Beach, a popular coastal haven right next to Salcombe. Here, you can discover natural beauty, crystal-clear waters, and excellent amenities for everyone to enjoy.
South Sands is one of the most accessible beaches in South Devon, with access to the level beach via a concrete ramp or tiny set of steps.
If you’re staying in central Salcombe, hop on the South Sands Ferry which will take you right from Whitestrand Quay to the beach. A scenic and enjoyable experience for the entire family.
Type of beach: Sandy
Dog-friendly: Seasonal dog ban between April – October
Car park: Yes, for a fee. During high season: 1 hour – £1.10; 2 hours – £2.10; 3 hours – £3.00. During low season: 1 hour – 80p; 2 hours – £1.60; 3 hours – £2.40
Public toilets: Yes
Postcode: TQ8 8LL
Blackpool Sands offers a taste of the Mediterranean to the UK due to the clear waters and the lovely backdrop of scented pines and evergreens!
This beautiful stretch of coastline is ideal for a relaxed Sunday afternoon spent lounging on the beach. With its amazing watersports options and a tasty café nearby, it’s easy to see why this beach has been given Blue Flag certification.
One of the best beaches in South Devon, this shingle delight hosts a variety of activities throughout the year! From the spectacular ‘Tunes on the Sands‘ music event to the traditional Ironman Challenge weekends, and even a unique beach cinema!
A stroll around Coleton Fishacre, one of many beautiful walks in Devon, will also take you to the beach.
Type of beach: Stone
Dog-friendly: Seasonal dog ban between May – September
Car park: Yes, for a charge of £9 per day.
Public toilets: Yes
Postcode: TQ6 0RG
This beach in Devon boasts a wide range of award-winning features, but perhaps the most striking is its captivating scenery.
Bigbury-on-Sea, located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is a photographer’s paradise, with shallow seas, smooth clean sand, and stunning views of Burgh Island.
This Devon beach is popular with thrill seekers, providing options for bodyboarding, windsurfing, and kite-surfing. You can even cross over to Burgh Island at low tide for views back towards Bigbury-on-Sea. Or, take a ride on the ever-popular sea tracker during high tide!
Type of beach: Sandy
Dog-friendly: Seasonal dog ban between May – September
Car park: Yes, for a charge. Up to: 1 hour – £1.50; 2 hours – £3.00; 3 hours – £4.30; 4 hours – £5.50; 6 hours – £8.00; All day – £12.00
Public toilets: Yes
Postcode: TQ7 4AR
When it comes to a quality beach holiday in South Devon, Dawlish Warren Beach ticks all the right boxes. Featuring an intimate sandy beach, sheltered sand dunes, award-winning clean waters and family amusements, it is the perfect seaside resort.
If you enjoy surfing, take advantage of the offshore swells while knowing that the area is patrolled by RNLI lifeguards.
As part of the Exe Estuary, the region is one of the most significant for wildfowl and wading birds in the country, drawing bird watchers and wildlife lovers all year round.
Type of beach: Sandy
Dog-friendly: Seasonal dog ban between April– September
Car park: Yes, free
Public toilets: Yes
Postcode: EX7 0NF
Slapton Sands is a shingle beach in an arc-shaped bar between the sea and a freshwater lake. Aside from its picturesque appearance, the area is also a place of special ecological interest.
In addition to having historical significance, Slapton is crucial to the survival of the UK’s rarest species of both plants and animals. It served as a practice site for the D-day landings in 1943, and today it is home to a stone memorial and a Sherman Tank at Torcross, which is close by.
Discover the beach café in the area after spending the day at the beach, or visit the Nature Reserve to see the wildlife first hand. If you carry on, you’ll find Slapton Ley, a freshwater lake where flora and animals make a home and change with the seasons.
Type of beach: Shingle/sandy
Dog-friendly: Yes, all year round
Car park: Yes, free
Public toilets: Yes
Postcode: TQ7 2PN
The halfway point of our South Devon beaches list is the beautiful Beer Beach. Surrounded by limestone cliffs, this beach was once a smuggler’s hideaway but now provides an excellent, family-friendly day out.
Located in the quaint seaside community of Beer, a visit here is ideal for catching sight of boats setting sail. Choose to relax and see the expert fisherman at work. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, join one of the numerous fishing expeditions!
Explore the region even further with a lazy coastal walk, having direct access to the South West Coast Path from the beach.
Type of beach: Shingle
Dog-friendly: Seasonal dog ban between May – September
Car park: Yes, free
Public toilets: Yes
Postcode: X12 3ET
Next on our list of South Devon beaches is one of the best beaches in the UK! Hope Cove is a small, picturesque town with two sandy shores that are perfect for families. In summer, wildflower-flushed headlands surround this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The bigger of the two coves, Inner Hope is a lovely beach where fishing boats and other small watercraft docks are. The beach is protected on each end by a slipway or a small harbour wall, and there are lots of rock pools and other crevices for children to explore in between.
Outer Hope Cove, often called Mouthwell beach, is a small but lovely beach that lies right below the Hope & Anchor Inn. In some ways, this beach is more exposed than Inner Hope, and it has a rocky outcrop at its extreme end.
Type of beach: Sandy
Dog-friendly: Dogs are allowed on Harbour Beach all year and on Mouthwell Sands from September to May
Car park: Yes, free
Public toilets: Yes
Postcode: TQ7 3HW
Competing with the best North Devon beaches, Bantham Beach is one of Devon’s top spots, located deep in the South Hams at the mouth of the lovely river Avon.
Thanks to its setting in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Bantham Beach offers stunning panoramas of Bigbury Bay and Burgh Island.
Bantham is also one of the greatest surfing beaches in South Devon, with gentle waves for beginners, as well as rips and breaks to challenge even the most experienced surfer.
Type of beach: Sandy
Dog-friendly: Yes
Car park: Yes, free
Public toilets: Yes
Postcode: TQ7 3AN
Exmouth’s Sandy Bay is a private beach that runs for half a mile. A superb place to spend some quality time with your family, this sandy beach offers a great opportunity to make sandcastles and dig holes.
If you’re looking for family days out in Devon, the shoreline has a number of rock pools that are ideal for kids to go searching and crabbing. Lifeguards also patrol the beach during the summer months, making it perfect for swimming and watersports.
Type of beach: Sandy
Dog-friendly: Seasonal dog ban between April – October
Car park: Yes, free
Public toilets: Yes
Postcode: EX8 5BY
Teignmouth Town Beach is a classic English Riviera, with a long sandy beach and one of just 50 intact Victorian piers in the country, complete with all of its amusements. It embodies the spirit of a Great British seaside vacation.
Because it’s so long, you’ll find a calm spot of sand to yourself even in the height of summer, where the youngsters may paddle in the sea. Along the front, there are other family attractions, including a skatepark, a playground and crazy golf. Not forgetting the ice cream parlours!
Type of beach: Sandy
Dog-friendly: Yes
Car park: Yes, free
Public toilets: Yes
Postcode: TQ14 8AY
East Portlemouth is made up of multiple little beaches, coves, and bays rather than one long stretch of shore. Choose from Fisherman’s Cove, Smalls Cove, or Mill Bay for your own private area.
Each of the little independent beaches has received Safe Bathing certification, so you can relax knowing your children are safe paddling in the shallow and clear water. The family’s aspiring marine biologist may spend a summer day investigating the shallow rock pools!
Explore the region further by taking the famed South West Coast Path or the National Trust Coast Path with your dog, who is welcome on the beach all year.
Type of beach: Sandy
Dog-friendly: Yes, all year round
Car park: Yes, for a charge
Public toilets: Yes
Postcode: TQ8 8PU
Across the estuary from Dawlish is Exmouth Beach. A mysterious fossil collection can be found along the Jurassic Coast in Exmouth. With two miles of soft sand and watersports rentals available, Exmouth Beach is great for families.
Exmouth town is just a short walk away, where you will find a variety of facilities and eateries. Among the seaside attractions on the front are swan boats and crazy golf which the kids will love.
Exmouth is the starting point for exploring the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage site recognised by UNESCO. The beach and cliffs provide great short and long hikes in the surrounding area, and the shoreline is included in the South West Coast Path.
Type of beach: Sandy
Dog-friendly: Yes
Car park: Yes, free
Public toilets: Yes
Postcode: EX8 1NZ
South Milton Sands is one of the top South Devon beaches for sand, beauty, and wildlife. Behind the beach are wetlands classified as an Area of Special Scientific Interest. Discover migratory birds, uncommon butterflies, and more in their native habitats.
The beach’s pristine waters and preserved natural ecosystems have earned it an award from the Marine Conservation Society. You might even spot a friendly seal or dolphin on your visit!
Type of beach: Sandy
Dog-friendly: Yes
Car park: Yes, free
Public toilets: Yes
Postcode: TQ7 3JY
Feeling inspired by our guide to beaches in Devon? Discover our Devon travel guide to find even more great things to do and secure a South Devon holiday cottage with us. Enjoy a host of dog-friendly Devon beaches too, so you never have to leave a family member behind!
Image Credits: C.art – (CC BY-SA 2.0)
I'm Courtney and I joined the marketing team in February 2020! I love all things writing and travel and my favourite UK holiday de...
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