Follow Us...

Blackpool Sands

Splash about on a
South Devon beach

You are here: Home > Beaches

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.

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 guide for 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 National Landscape 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

Many of South Devon’s beaches are award winning and have high water quality, to find up to date bathing water quality information on all the UK’s beaches, visit the Environment Agency website.

For 20 top tips on how to have a safe, fun, healthy and relaxing day at the beach visit the Beachwise website.

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.

I'm Searching for...

Accommodation
Things to Do
What's On
Food & Drink
Shopping

A-Z Listing

Number of results: 9

Zephyr

Address

Dart Marina Hotel, Sandquay Road, Dartmouth, Devon, TQ6 9PH

Telephone
01803 837111

zephyr@dartmarina.com

Dartmouth

Whatever the occasion with a relaxed riverside setting an enjoyable time is guaranteed.

More Details
Zog's Christmas Code

Address

Haldon Forest Park - Forestry England, Haldon Forest Park, Kennford, Devon, EX6 7XR

Telephone
03000675826

haldon.rangers@forestryengland.uk

Kennford

Get ready for a festive and exciting adventure at Haldon Forest Park's Zog activity trail.
Your task is to find sticker clues along the activity trail. Once spotted, carefully observe the image and write down the first letter of the word it…

More Details
Zoo Nights

Address

Dartmoor Zoological Society, Sparkwell, Plymouth, Devon, PL7 5DG

Telephone
01752 837645

zoobase@dartmoorzoo.co.uk

Sparkwell, Plymouth

Following on from the huge success of our Zoo Nights event last year, we're thrilled to announce that we will be opening our gates after hours on Wednesday 24th August 2022. Enjoy reduced admission for an exclusive visit between 5pm and 8pm.
The…

More Details
Zoo Xmas Grotto & SEN Grotto at Shaldon Zoo

Address

Shaldon Wildlife Trust, Ness Drive, Shaldon, Shaldon, Devon, TQ14 0HP

Telephone
01626872234

info@shaldonwildlifetrust.org.uk

Shaldon, Shaldon

This December, experience a festive day out like no other at our enchanting grotto event! Meet Santa himself at the zoo and make memories with the whole family. Kids will get a chance to chat with Santa and receive a special gift to kickstart their…

More Details
ZOO! By the English Touring Opera

Address

Paignton Zoo, Totnes Road, Paignton, Devon, TQ47EU

Telephone
01803 697500

katie.white@wildplanettrust.org.uk

Paignton

Saturday 27th May, 2pm to 2.45pm
Zoo! Is English Touring Opera's new opera for audiences with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and children aged 2 to 5 years. It tells the story of Ari the zookeeper, who is trying to get tree frog to it's…

More Details
Zooluminate

Address

Dartmoor Zoological Society, Sparkwell, Devon, PL7 5DG

Telephone
01752 837645

zoobase@dartmoorzoo.co.uk

Sparkwell

Zooluminate is back! Bigger and better than ever!
Experience a magical and wintery walk around our gorgeous site, taking in a series of beautiful light installations (from JHAV, the incredible team that brought you The Atlantic Project and…

More Details
Zooluminate

Address

Dartmoor Zoo, Sparkwell, Devon, PL7 5DG

Telephone
01752 837645

zoobase@dartmoorzoo.co.uk

Sparkwell

Back by popular demand…Zooluminate 2024!
Experience a magical, wintery and festive walk around our gorgeous site, taking in a series of beautiful light installations (from JHAV, the incredible team that brought you The Atlantic Project and…

More Details
Zooluminate

Address

Dartmoor Zoological Society, Sparkwell, Plymouth, Devon, PL7 5DG

Telephone
01752 837645

zoobase@dartmoorzoo.co.uk

Sparkwell, Plymouth

This Winter, prepare to experience Dartmoor Zoo in a way you've never seen us before!
Presenting: Zooluminate.
A series of beautiful light installations (from JHAV, the incredible team that brought you The Atlantic Project and Illuminate Festival of…

More Details
Zooper Pooper Week

Address

Totnes Road, Paignton, Devon, TQ4 7EU

Telephone
01803 697500

hayley.gibson@paigntonzoo.org.uk

Paignton

Join us in May half term to learn all about poo at the Zoo, with our Zooper Pooper week!
Discover how wildlife experts use poo to track animals and how our keepers use poo to assess animal health.
Take part in our a 'poo-dunnit?' trail, learn fun…

More Details

Follow Us...

My Planner

Blackpool Sands

Beaches

Family Friendly Beaches

Watersports

Dog Friendly Beaches

The South West Coast Path

The Jurassic Coast

Further Resources

I'm Searching for...

Accommodation

Things to Do

What's On

Food & Drink

Shopping

Accommodation Search

Things to Do Search

What's On Search

Food & Drink Search

Shopping Search

Accommodation Search

Things to Do Search

What's On Search

Food & Drink Search

Shopping Search

A-Z Listing

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

You May Also Like

Newsletter

Guide

Offers

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss