Best South Devon Beaches, Dartmouth, South Devon

Beach holiday in South Devon

South Devon is one of the UK's top destinations for a beach holiday. To help you choose a beach location, we've listed South Devon beaches below. Click through on each recommendation to learn more.

We start with our top ten recommendations for South Devon beaches and then list others by theme and then location along the coastline. Browse the photo gallery to see South Devon beaches moving clockwise from the Exe Estuary to Plymouth.

Top ten South Devon beaches

Blackpool Sands (Beach) is an arc of shingle (small pebble) beach a short distance south east of Dartmouth. Whilst you have to pay a small parking fee to access the beach, there are excellent facilities including toilets, a cafe and shop. Dogs are not allowed in the spring, summer and autumn months when the beach fills with visitors. Check the Blackpool Sands website for precise dates. You can hire equipment for watersports including boogie boards and sea kayaks. The South West Coast Path runs behind the beach. If you're into great views, we'd recommend following the path south. You climb the big hill behind the beach and are rewarded with the classic view of Blackpool Sands that's on the cover of so many South Devon tourist guides. We've positioned Blackpool Sands on Google maps so zoom in on the 'Satellite' setting to see its location.

Bantham Beach is a huge low tide sand beach with top views across the water to Bigbury-on-Sea Beach and Burgh Island. Bantham is popular with families and surfers. Stunning location.

Bigbury-on-Sea Beach is South Devon's most famous beach. The big low tide sand beach connects with Burgh Island.

Mill Bay Beach (National Trust) is a sand beach across the water from Salcombe on the Salcombe Kingsbridge Estuary. At low tide, Mill Bay Beach merges with other beaches lining the estuary. Extraordinary place.

South Sands (Beach) is located near the mouth of the Salcombe Kingsbridge Estuary. Great place for watersports.

South Milton Sands/Thurlestone Sand (Beach) is a National Trust sand beach with a superb beach cafe and bar.

Goodrington Sands (Beach). Famous red sand beach on The English Riviera.

Dawlish Warren Beach is a popular holiday spot near the mouth of the Exe Estuary. There's a big, sand beach backing onto dunes. In high season, it gets busy at the southern section of the beach. To get away from the crowds, wander in the direction of Exmouth. A huge spit of sand pushes out into the estuary. This area is a National Nature Reserve as well. Beautiful spot.

Great Mattiscombe Sand (Beach). Remote beach near Start Point.

Wembury Beach. Another National Trust beach on the coast near Plymouth.

Best South Devon beaches with pubs and bars

Bigbury-on-Sea Beach is South Devon's most famous beach. The big low tide sand beach connects with Burgh Island where you'll find The Pilchard Inn.

South Milton Sands/Thurlestone Sand (Beach) is a National Trust sand beach with a superb beach cafe and bar called the beachhouse.

Slapton Sands (Beach) is a huge stretch of shingle that runs down the coast of Start Bay. Start Bay Inn overlooks the southern section of the beach at Torcross.

Bee Sands (Beach) is south of Slapton Sands (Beach). The Cricket Inn is in a superb location behind the beach.

Babbacombe Beach and Harbour is in a stunning setting below Cary Arms & Spa inn and Babbacombe.

The Ness is positioned between Ness Cove Beach and Shaldon Beach.

The Ferry Inn is across the water from East Portlemouth Beaches (Small's Cove up to Ditchend Cove) and Mill Bay Beach (National Trust).

Hope and Anchor Inn is by Hope Cove Mouthwell Beach and Hope Cove Harbour Beach.

Best South Devon beaches with cafes

South Milton Sands/Thurlestone Sand (Beach) is a National Trust sand beach with a superb beach cafe and bar called the beachhouse.

Wembury Beach is another National Trust beach on the coast near Plymouth. Wembury The Old Mill sits by the beach.

Meadfoot Beach is a big low tide stone, sand and rock beach in Torquay. Meadfoot Beach Cafe overlooks the beach.

Blackpool Sands (Beach) is one of South Devon's best beaches. The Venus Cafe is at the back of the beach.

South Sands (Beach) is located on the Salcombe Kingsbridge Estuary. Bo's Beach Cafe is a wonderful place.

Mothecombe (Meadowsfoot) Beach is situated at the mouth of the Erme Estuary. The schoolhouse is inland by the car parking area (parking charges apply).

Best South Devon beaches for views

Bantham Beach is a huge low tide sand beach with top views across the water to Bigbury-on-Sea Beach and Burgh Island. Bantham is popular with families and surfers. Stunning location.

Mill Bay Beach (National Trust) is a sand beach across the water from Salcombe on The Salcombe Kingsbridge Estuary. At low tide, Mill Bay Beach merges with other beaches lining the estuary. Extraordinary place.

Bovisand Beach looks out across Plymouth Sound. Wonderful views.

Best South Devon beaches for walks

The South West Coast Path runs along the back of all the beaches in this listing. See our Best South Devon SWCP/South West Coast Path Walking for ideas for linear walks. Below are ideas for circular walks.

South Sands (Beach) is located near the mouth of The Salcombe Kingsbridge Estuary. Follow the South West Coast Path to Salcombe and take the South Sands Sea Tractor/Taxi back to the beach. A walk with top views followed by a boat trip.

Great Mattiscombe Sand (Beach) is located by Start Point. Follow the South West Coast Path to Start Point, follow the lighthouse access road to the car parking area and loop back down to the beach. A nice, short circular coastal walk.

Head west of Bigbury-on-Sea Beach on the South West Coast Path. You come to the Erme Estuary. Wander along the east side of the River Erme and Estuary to the slipway by the access road. A path takes you inland to Kingston and The Dolphin Inn. You then follow the valley down to the coast at Westcombe Beach (Wiscombe/Wyscombe Beach). Return to Bigbury-on-Sea on the South West Coast Path.

Best South Devon beaches for watersports

Bantham Beach is a huge low tide sand beach with top views across the water to Bigbury-on-Sea Beach and Burgh Island. Bantham is popular with families and surfers. Stunning location.

Bigbury-on-Sea Beach is across the water from Bantham Beach.

South Sands (Beach) is located near the mouth of The Salcombe Kingsbridge Estuary. Great place for watersports.

Broadsands Beach is popular for watersports.

Best South Devon beaches for families and kids

The choices below have good facilities and are easily accessible. Most are spacious.

Bigbury-on-Sea Beach. Sandy beach with shop, public toilets and watersports hire equipment. There's a pub on Burgh Island. Big car parking areas.

Bantham Beach. Sandy beach with catering vans and public toilets. There's a pub in Bantham just up the road from the beach. Big car parking area.

Dawlish Warren Beach. Sandy beach backing onto a National Nature Reserve. Lots of shops and public toilets. Big car parking areas and easily accessible by train.

Goodrington Sands (Beach). Sandy beach in the heart of The English Riviera. Splashdown Quaywest sits behind the beach. Plenty of shops and places to eat and drink. There are public toilets and big car parking areas.

Broadsands Beach. Big arc of red sand on The English Riviera. Great facilities including Broadsands Beach Watersports Centre and public toilets. Huge car park behind beach.

Blackpool Sands (Beach). Whilst it's smaller than most beaches on this list, Blackpool Sands is one of the most popular family beaches in South Devon. Shingle beach. Shops, cafe/bar and public toilets. Plenty of parking behind the beach.

Mill Bay Beach (National Trust). Sandy beach on the sublime Salcombe Kingsbridge Estuary. Salcombe is across the water. Limited facilities although there are public toilets at the back of the beach.

Wembury Beach. Rock, shingle and sand beach near Plymouth Sand. Superb for rockpooling and watersports. There's a cafe overlooking the beach. Public toilets on site. Wembury Marine Centre sits above the beach. There's a reasonable amount of parking available.

Best South Devon beaches if you want lots of people around you

Bigbury-on-Sea Beach is South Devon's most famous beach.

Goodrington Sands (Beach) is a family favourite English Riviera beach.

Dawlish Warren Beach is easily accessible and gets packed in high season.

Blackpool Sands (Beach) is relatively small and attracts huge numbers of people.

Best South Devon beaches for avoiding people

Great Mattiscombe Sand (Beach). Remote beach near Start Point.

The coastline west of Great Mattiscombe Sand (Beach) between Start Point and the mouth of the Salcombe Kingsbridge Estuary is lined with secluded beaches. Try Lannacombe Beach, Woodcombe Sand (Beach) and Horseley Cove (Beach).

Moving east to west, other beaches on the South Devon coast that we'd recommend visiting include:

Exeter to Teignmouth

Red Rock Beach is just south of Dawlish Warren between Dawlish Warren and Dawlish. It gets its name from the impressive red rock arch at the northern end of the beach. Park at Dawlish Warren and follow the South West Coast Path to the sand and stone beach.

Dawlish Beach. Lovely stretch of sand along the seafront at Dawlish.

Boat Cove (Beach) is the southern section of Dawlish Beach. Book a boat trip out to sea.

Coryton Cove (Beach). The South West Coast Path runs from Boat Cove to Coryton Cove or Coryton's Cove. Beautiful, compact sand and stone beach.

Teignmouth Beach. Classic Devon holiday resort. Big sand beach and a pier.

Shaldon to Babbacombe

Shaldon Beach. Teignmouth is at the mouth of the Teign Estuary on the north side of the water. Shaldon is a village on the south side. There's a long sand and stone low tide beach lining the estuary.

Ness Cove Beach is arguably Devon's quirkiest beach. You walk through a tunnel cut deep into the area's famous red cliffs to access this sand and stone beach.

Maidencombe Beach. Small, pretty cove on the coastline between Teignmouth and The English Riviera. There's a cafe by the beach and a cool pub called The Thatched Tavern by the car parking area for the beach.

Watcombe Beach. Another small, pretty cove near Maidencombe Beach. A cafe overlooks the sand and stone beach.

Oddicombe Beach is a popular beach in Babbacombe in the north section of The English Riviera. Walk down to the sand and stone beach or take the famous cliff railway. Awesome views across the bay to Babbacombe Beach and the wonderful The Cary Arms inn.

Babbacombe Beach and Harbour. Stunning setting below The Cary Arms inn and Babbacombe.

Babbacombe to Brixham

Anstey's Cove (Beach). Popular local cove with a cafe. Plenty of parking above. Near the top Devon visitor attraction Kents Cavern.

Hope's Nose Beaches. Hope's Nose is situated at the north end of Tor Bay. There are rock, stone and sand beaches lining the coastline here. Huge views across the bay to Berry Head and Brixham at the south end of The English Riviera.

Meadfoot Beach. Big low tide stone, sand and rock beach in Torquay. Great views from Meadfoot Beach Cafe.

Beacon Cove is a small rock, stone and sand cove by Living Coasts in the heart of Torquay.

Torre Abbey Sands is a big low tide sand beach on the seafront at Torquay near Torquay Marina. It arcs around to Corbyn's Beach.

Paignton Beach. Another classic Devon holiday resort. Big sand beach, pier and amusements. There's a pretty harbour at the south end of the beach.

Goodrington Sands (Beach). Famous red sand beach on The English Riviera.

Broadsands Beach. Super red sand beach between Goodrington and Brixham.

Elberry Cove (Beach). Follow the South West Coast Path south of Broadsands Beach and you'll come to the pebble and stone beach at Elberry Cove.

Brixham Breakwater Beach. Pebble and stone beach on the edge of Brixham.Dawlish Warren Beach. Popular, small pebble and stone beach by Brixham Breakwater. Great location with top views.

Brixham to Kingswear

St Mary's Bay Beach. Big low tide stone, sand and rock beach in the shadow of Berry Head. There's a small car parking area above St Mary's Beach at Sharkham Point.

Man Sands (Beach). A sweep of rock, stone and sand just south of Brixham.

Scabbacombe Sands (Beach) is a beautiful, secluded beach near the National Trust's Coleton Fishacre.

Dartmouth to Start Point

Castle Cove. Small cove below English Heritage's Dartmouth Castle.

Sugary Cove. Another pretty cove south of Castle Cove.

Blackpool Sands (Beach) is an arc of shingle (small pebble) beach a short distance south east of Dartmouth. Whilst you have to pay a small parking fee to access the beach, there are excellent facilities including toilets, a cafe and shop. Dogs are not allowed in the Spring, Summer and Autumn months when the beach fills with visitors. Check the Blackpool Sands website for precise dates. You can hire equipment for watersports including boogie boards and sea kayaks. The South West Coast Path runs behind the beach. If you're into great views, we'd recommend following the path south. You climb the big hill behind the beach and are rewarded with the classic view of Blackpool Sands that's on the cover of so many South Devon tourist guides. We've positioned Blackpool Sands on Google maps so zoom in on the 'Satellite' setting to see its location.

Strete Gate Beach (Slapton Sands). The north end of a huge stretch of shingle that runs down to Torcross. Popular nudist beach.

Slapton Sands (Beach). The main section of that huge stretch of shingle. Wonderful place.

Bee Sands (Beach). Another cracking stretch of shingle with great views to Start Point.

Hall Sands (Beach). The south section of Start Bay. Shingle beach near Start Point.

Start Point to East Portlemouth

Great Mattiscombe Sand (Beach). Remote beach near Start Point.

Lannacombe Beach. One of a number of small sand beaches on the south coast between Start Point and Prawle Point. Others are Woodcombe Sand (Beach) and Horseley Cove (Beach).

Sunny Cove (Beach) is a stunning, isolated sand beach at the mouth of The Salcombe Kingsbridge Estuary.

East Portlemouth Beaches (Small's Cove up to Ditchend Cove). Glorious sand beaches at East Portlemouth across the water from Salcombe.

Salcombe to Bigbury-on-Sea

North Sands (Beach) is an easily accessible and large low tide sand beach on the edge of Salcombe.

South Sands (Beach) is located near the mouth of The Salcombe Kingsbridge Estuary. Great place for watersports.

Soar Mill Cove (Beach). One of the Westcountry's best 'secret' beaches.

Hope Cove Harbour Beach. Pretty harbour beach in this popular coastal village.

Hope Cove Mouthwell Beach. Small sand beach in the heart of Hope Cove.

South Milton Sands/Thurlestone Sand (Beach) is a National Trust sand beach with a superb cafe.

Thurlestone Leas Foot Sand (Beach) and Thurlestone Island Sands/Thurlestone Golf Course Beach are a short walk away to the north.

Bantham Beach is a huge low tide sand beach with top views across the water to Bigbury-on-Sea Beach and Burgh Island. Bantham is popular with families and surfers. Stunning location.

Bigbury-on-Sea Beach is South Devon's most famous beach. The big low tide sand beach connects with Burgh Island.

Bigbury-on-Sea to Noss Mayo

Challaborough Beach. Very popular resort beach by Bigbury-on-Sea.

Ayrmer Cove (Beach). Secluded and stunning cove down the valley from Ringmore.

Wonwell Beach. At low tide, huge sand beaches line the Erme Estuary. Wonwell Beach is on the east side of the estuary.

Coastguard's Beach is to the west side of the estuary.

Newton Ferrers to Mount Batten/Plymouth

Wembury Beach. Another National Trust beach on the coast near Plymouth.

Bovisand Beach looks out across Plymouth Sound.

Jennycliff Beach and Rum Bay Beach line the east side of Plymouth Sound.

Batten Bay Beach is just across the water from Plymouth.

Plymouth Beaches and Foreshore.