South Sands Sea Tractor/Taxi, Salcombe, South Devon
Sea tractor and water taxi
At South Sands (Beach), a sea tractor takes visitors from the beach to a water taxi out in the Salcombe Kingsbridge Estuary which then runs to/from Salcombe centre. It's an essential Salcombe experience when on holiday in South Devon.
Location of South Sands Sea Tractor/Taxi
The sea tractor sits at the back of South Sands (Beach) by the beach cafe and South Sands Hotel.
The water taxi runs between the estuary by South Sands (Beach) and the pontoon at Whitestrand Quay in the centre of town.
Directions and parking for South Sands Sea Tractor/Taxi
The A381 takes you to the south western end of Salcombe. A steep road zig-zags down to North Sands (Beach) and then climbs and narrows to South Sands (Beach).
There's limited parking behind the beach.
In Salcombe, head for the pontoon at Whitestrand Quay in the centre of town.
For parking in Salcombe, use Shadycombe Road Car Park (3 hours only in the summer) or Creek Car Park (long stay). These are both within short walking distance of Fore Street, The Ferry Inn and Salcombe's waterfront. In high season, we'd recommend using the Park and Ride car park on the A381 approach road into the town.
South Sands Sea Tractor/Taxi
The water taxi takes you past Salcombe Castle (English Heritage), North Sands (Beach), Sunny Cove (Beach), Mill Bay Beach (National Trust) and East Portlemouth Beaches (Small's Cove up to Ditchend Cove).
It's great fun and, if you enjoy it, try also the nearby Burgh Island Sea Tractor which takes you across Bigbury-on-Sea Beach to Burgh Island and its Art Deco hotel and pub.
Things to do near South Sands Sea Tractor/Taxi
We'd suggest you follow the path from South Sands (Beach) up to Overbeck's Garden and Museum (National Trust).
A little further along the coast, we cannot recommend highly enough the views from Sharp Tor (Salcombe).
The South West Coast Path skirts Starehole Bay and then continues west from Bolt Head to Soar Mill Cove and Bolberry Down.
Other things to do in the local area
West of South Sands (Beach), visit Hope Cove, Bantham and Bigbury-on-Sea with its iconic Art Deco hotel on Burgh Island.
Explore Salcombe.
In Salcombe, take the Salcombe East Portlemouth Ferry to East Portlemouth. At low tide, the eastern side of the estuary is lined with amazing beaches including Mill Bay Beach (National Trust).
Alternatively, take the Salcombe Kingsbridge Ferry to Kingsbridge.
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