The 8 best beaches in South Devon

How many beaches are there in Devon? There are more than 130 beaches in Devon altogether, from tiny coves off-the-beaten path to wide bays with lots of amenities for visitors. Along with the fact that the South West of England tends to experience better weather than the north, it’s no surprise that Devon attracts so many people who want a holiday at the seaside.

South Devon has plenty of stunning beaches where families can relax, play, swim, and take part in water sports such as stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) and kayaking. If surfing is the main aim of your beach trip, North Devon is your best bet as most of the county’s top surfing beaches are found there. 

For this guide, we have listed eight of our favourite South Devon beaches and given information to help you decide which beach is best for your next break. Whether you’re travelling with your partner, dogs, children or with friends in tow, we’ve got fantastic self-catering accommodation nearby that will help to make your South Devon beach holiday a memorable occasion.

Skip to:

• Salcombe beaches
• Blackpool Sands
• Bigbury-on-Sea Beach
• Slapton Sands
• Dawlish Warren
• Beer Beach
• Hope Cove
• Bantham Beach
• Beaches in South Devon map

Salcombe beaches

Salcombe is one of South Devon’s prettiest towns, with superb views of the coast and countryside. Its beaches, with their golden sands and turquoise waters, are as beautiful as any you could find abroad. North Sands Beach, which is popular with families and dog-friendly all year round, is a 1.5-mile walk from the town and has a good area for picnics behind it. South Sands Beach, which has good access for disabled visitors, is a little further and is a picturesque, unspolit sandy cove. 

Salcombe itself is well worth exploring. It has lots of independent businesses as well as high street brands - make sure you try Salcombe Dairy ice cream and Salcombe Gin. There are art galleries, and restaurants serving local seafood and produce; check out our guide to Salcombe restaurants and pubs for recommendations. Salcombe is also known as a haven for water sports enthusiasts.

Blackpool Sands

This spot near Dartmouth is without a doubt one of the most Instagram-worthy beaches you’ll ever see, thanks to its curved bay, clear waters and evergreen backdrop. It’s signposted from Dartmouth, on the coastal road between Stoke Fleming and Strete. The name of Blackpool Sands could cause some confusion – it has nothing to do with the famous seaside resort in Lancashire, and also, if you’re expecting a sandy beach then you’ll be disappointed as it’s fine shingle. Be sure to check out our guide to Blackpool Sands before your visit! 

There’s another attraction nearby, Blackpool Gardens, which is open from April to September. Entry costs £5 for adults and is free for children. 

Bigbury-on-Sea Beach

Bigbury-on-Sea Beach, which is located in a National Landscape, is a fantastic beach for families, with a large expanse of sand. Directly opposite is the iconic Burgh Island, which is known for its Art Deco hotel and its links to the writer, Agatha Christie. At low tide, you can walk to it, but at high tide, you’ll need to ride the famous sea tractor.

Activities available at Bigbury-on-Sea include swimming, surfing and windsurfing, while facilities include a beach shop, cafe, pub, WCs and showers. The village of Bigbury-on-Sea is around 9 miles from Kingsbridge.

Kingsbridge cottages

Slapton Sands

Slapton Sands, located around 8 miles to the east of Kingsbridge, is another place that could trip up visitors hoping to build sandcastles – it’s a 3-mile-long pebble beach, with brilliant scenery. The whole stretch of coastline is a National Landscape. Water sports you can try include surfing, windsurfing and canoeing. Also, the part of Slapton Sands beyond Strete Gate is an unofficial naturist beach.

Slapton is a good option if you’d also like to explore Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve. The plants and animals living in and around the freshwater lake change with the seasons, so you can see something different each time you visit. Slapton is also good if you’re interested in history. In 1943, the beach was used by the Allied Forces as a rehearsal area for the D-Day Landings. Unfortunately, live ammunition and poor visibility led to the deaths of 749 American servicemen. There’s a stone monument on Slapton Sands commemorating Operation Tiger – and a tank at nearby Torcross. 

Dawlish Warren

Dawlish Warren is a great seaside resort for families, with plenty to see and do. The sandy beach extends north for around a mile to the mouth of the River Exe, and there are sheltered sand dunes where you can relax and enjoy a picnic. 

Activities and attractions include go-karting, rides and amusements. There are shops, cafes and pubs where you can shelter if the weather takes a turn, and plenty of places to pick up an ice cream or fish and chips. Dawlish Warren also has a nature reserve that you can visit – dogs are welcome if they are kept on a short lead. It’s one of the most important areas for wildfowl and wading birds in the UK, and the dunes and grassland are home to hundreds of types of flowering plants. The nearby seaside town of Dawlish, famous for its black swans, is also well worth a visit.

Beer Beach

Beer is a fishing village on the Jurassic Coast in East Devon, with a curved pebble beach surrounded by white chalk cliffs. You can relax on a deckchair and watch the boats and fishermen at work – Beer is famous for its mackerel – or be more active by going on a fishing trip or a coastal walk to enjoy the stunning views. We recommend the one between Beer and Seaton. 

There are cafes, shops and galleries in the village – and yes, pubs too, for those who want to be able to say they’ve had a beer in Beer! If you want something else to do, you could visit Beer Quarry Caves, which date back to Roman times. Nearby family attractions include Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary, Crealy Adventure Park and Bicton Gardens. 

Hope Cove

Hope Cove, situated a 6-mile drive away from Kingsbridge, is another picturesque destination with a tranquil sandy cove and harbour wall. Dogs are allowed all year round but must be on leads. 

North of the harbour is a smaller but more popular sandy beach, with rocky areas, called Mouthwell Sands or Outer Hope Cove. It’s good for swimming, water sports and exploring rock pools. Surrounded by wonderful scenery, it’s a great place to go walking – there are coastal walks to Thurlestone and Bolberry Down.

Bantham Beach

Bantham Beach, which has great views of Bigbury Bay and Burgh Island and is situated in a National Landscape just over 5 miles to the west of Kingsbridge, is very popular with families. It’s shallow and sandy, so is a relatively safe beach for children to paddle or swim. It’s also South Devon’s best beach for surfing, with reliable waves perfect for surfers of all levels. There are rock pools to explore at the south end of the beach. 

There’s a pub nearby in the village, as well as a Post Office and shop where you can pick up beach essentials. Bantham is a great spot for a BBQ and watching the sunset.

Beaches in South Devon map

Please find all of the above South Devon beaches with the help of our handy map.

Stay with us in a self-catering holiday cottage in South Devon

The beaches in South Devon are a great place for a holiday, whether you’re looking to relax, be adventurous, or a bit of both. Sometimes they’re situated in small villages where you can escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, while others are a short walk from a town with plenty of things to see and do, and a wide range of places to eat if you want a day off from cooking. Also, be sure to check out our top things to do in South Devon guide here!

Our collection of self-catering holiday accommodation includes properties a short drive – or in some cases, just a short walk – from some of South Devon’s best beaches, so take a look today and start planning your ultimate beach getaway.