Caroline Abbott
26 February 2025
South Devon has several of the UK’s best beaches, and some of the ones in and around the pretty coastal town of Salcombe are often said to rival beaches in the Mediterranean, with their golden sands and sparkling turquoise waters. Salcombe’s balmy summers help to make it a holiday hotspot.
Going to the beach is certainly one of the top things to do during a holiday to Salcombe, along with sailing and water sports, exploring the stunning coastline and lush countryside on foot, and dining out at one of Salcombe’s best restaurants and pubs. We’ve highlighted the main Salcombe beaches below, but there are also some smaller beaches and coves that you may come across.
Salcombe is one of the most expensive places in the UK to buy a home by the seaside, but you can get a taste of living in the town by booking a stay at one of our fantastic self-catering holiday cottages. You can view our collection of Salcombe cottages by clicking on the button below.
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South Sands
South Sands and North Sands are among the best beaches in South Devon. Located 2 miles from the centre of Salcombe, South Sands is very popular thanks to its Blue Flag award, which shows it has met strict environmental, safety, and educational standards.
It’s an unspoilt sandy cove that’s great for swimming due to its sheltered position. Between April and October, there’s a passenger ferry that shuttles people and dogs between the beach and Whitestrand Quay in Salcombe, so you don’t have to worry about parking, which can be limited.
You can enjoy the spectacular local scenery by taking the 3-mile circular walk to Bolt Head, which is part of the South West Coast Path. South Sands is also near the National Trust attraction Overbeck’s Garden.
Good to know
- Location: TQ8 8LL
- Facilities: You can hire equipment for a range of water-based activities such as kayaking and scuba diving or even take a sailing course. There’s the highly regarded Bo’s Beach Cafe in the old lifeboat house, a beach shop, and toilets at the back of the beach.
- Parking: There’s a small car park by the beach. Alternatively, there’s a National Trust car park south of the beach or you can park at North Sands and head further along the road to South Sands.
- Lifeguards: No lifeguard cover
- Dog friendly: Dogs are banned between 1st May and 30th September but are allowed to cross the beach on a lead to get on and off the passenger ferry
- Stay nearby: Ecila | sleeps 5
North Sands
North Sands, by the ruins of Fort Charles, is a great choice for families wanting to spend time at the beach. It’s closer to the centre of Salcombe than South Sands (about a mile).
At low tide, there’s plenty of sand for building sandcastles, playing ball games, or relaxing in the sun. It’s one of the best local beaches for exploring rock pools, and there are shallow waters for swimming. The beach disappears at high tide, so be sure to check the tide tables before you set off.
Good to know
- Location: TQ8 8LD
- Facilities: The Winking Prawn is a family-friendly and dog-friendly cafe just over the road. There’s also a beach shop and toilets. There are picnic benches behind the beach.
- Parking: There’s a large car park by the beach and limited road parking nearby.
- Lifeguards: No lifeguard cover
- Dog friendly: Dogs are allowed all year round
- Stay nearby: Ringmore House | sleeps 6
Sunny Cove Beach
Sunny Cove, as the name suggests, is a fantastic place to enjoy a peaceful afternoon in the sun. This secluded, sandy beach is only accessible from the water or on foot from the South West Coast Path—it’s situated down some steep, rocky steps. There are great views of the harbour entrance as well as North and South Sands.
Good to know
- Location: TQ8 8PU
- Facilities: There’s a cafe and beach shop at East Portlemouth, about a mile away. There are toilets at Mill Bay.
- Parking: The closest car park is at Mill Bay.
- Lifeguards: No lifeguard cover
- Dog friendly: Dogs are allowed all year round
- Stay nearby: Magdala House | sleeps 4
Mill Bay Beach
Mill Bay is located on the opposite side of the estuary from Salcombe. You can catch the Salcombe to East Portlemouth ferry and then take a short walk to reach it.
It’s a pleasant, sandy beach, with a stream running down one side—perfect for creating moats around your sandcastles. There&rsquo's plenty of space to create your own picnic and sunbathing spot.
Good to know
- Location: TQ8 8PU
- Facilities: There’s a cafe and beach shop at East Portlemouth. There are toilets in the car park.
- Parking: There is a car park by the beach.
- Lifeguards: No lifeguard cover
- Dog friendly: Mill Bay is dog friendly all year round
- Stay nearby: Rockside | sleeps 6 + 1 dog
East Portlemouth Beach
East Portlemouth Beach is a sandy beach below the village, and at low tide, it stretches down to Mill Bay. The best way to access it is to catch the ferry to and from Salcombe, as road access is via minor roads. It’s less busy than the Salcombe beaches across the water, making it a great place to relax and enjoy the tranquil surroundings.
Good to know
- Location: TQ8 8PF
- Facilities: There’s a beach shop, toilets, and cafe next to the beach.
- Parking: There’s some road parking above the beach. There’s some parking in the village, but the path is steep. There is also a car park at Mill Bay.
- Lifeguards: No lifeguard cover
- Dog friendly: Dogs are allowed all year round
- Stay nearby: Driftwood | sleeps 4 + 1 dog
Salcombe Beaches Map
Find all the best beaches in Salcombe mentioned above with the help of our handy map.
Stay in one of our Salcombe Cottages
We have lots of holiday cottages near Salcombe’s beautiful beaches and throughout South Devon, so whether you’re planning a romantic getaway with a loved one or a break by the water with friends or family, we’ve got the perfect place for you. Browse our collection of cottages by clicking on the button below and start planning your next holiday today.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.