Photo of Hartland Quay, a swimming spot in Devon, south west England.

Hartland Quay© Matt Prosser / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0

Beaches & swimming in DevonDevon, England

72 beaches and swimming spots in the Albion Guide across Devon — see the full beaches and swimming spots directory, or everything to explore in Devon.

Photo of Hartland Quay, a swimming spot in Devon, south west England.

Hartland Quay

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Hartland

Jagged folded rock strata on wild coast.

Photo of Combesgate Beach, Woolacombe, a swimming spot near Mortehoe, Devon, south west England.

Combesgate Beach, Woolacombe

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Mortehoe

Three-mile golden surf beach.

Photo of Shoalstone Pool, a sea pool near Dartmouth, Devon, south west England.

Shoalstone Pool

Sea pool near Dartmouth

A 53 m seawater pool on the rocky shore at Brixham, kept going by volunteers and free to swim through the summer.

Photo of Tinside Lido, a lido near Plymouth, Devon, south west England.

Tinside Lido

Lido near Plymouth

Semicircular Art Deco seawater lido of 1935 on the rocks below Plymouth Hoe, looking out over Plymouth Sound.

Photo of Westward Ho! Sea Pool, a sea pool near Appledore (Appledore), Devon, south west England.

Westward Ho! Sea Pool

Sea pool near Appledore (Appledore)

A walled Victorian sea pool on the rocks of the Westward Ho! seafront, refilled by every high tide and free to swim.

Photo of Heddon's Mouth, a cove near Combe Martin in Exmoor, Devon, south west England.

Heddon's Mouth

Cove near Combe Martin

A dramatic combe of scree and heather on the Exmoor coast, where the Heddon river reaches a boulder shore.

Photo of Chagford Swimming Pool, a lido in Dartmoor, Devon, south west England.

Chagford Swimming Pool

Lido near Chagford

A river-fed pool dug by Chagford villagers in 1933 beside the Teign on the edge of Dartmoor, still run by volunteers.

Photo of Blackpool Sands, a swimming spot near Dartmouth, Devon, south west England.

Blackpool Sands

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Dartmouth

Sheltered shingle cove in a wooded bay.

Photo of Croyde Bay, a swimming spot in Devon, south west England.

Croyde Bay

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Croyde

Popular North Devon surfing beach.

Photo of Ladram Bay, a swimming spot near Otterton, Devon, south west England.

Ladram Bay

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Otterton

Red sandstone sea stacks on Jurassic Coast.

Photo of Saunton Sands, a swimming spot near Croyde, Devon, south west England.

Saunton Sands

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Croyde

Vast surf beach backed by Braunton Burrows.

Photo of Bantham, a swimming spot near Bigbury-on-Sea, Devon, south west England.

Bantham

Estuary | Excellent ★★★ near Bigbury-on-Sea

Golden estuary beach facing Burgh Island.

Photo of Woolacombe, a swimming spot near Mortehoe, Devon, south west England.

Woolacombe

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Mortehoe

Three miles of Atlantic sand in North Devon, rated excellent for water quality and backed by proper dunes

Photo of Anstey's Cove, a swimming spot near Cockington, Devon, south west England.

Anstey's Cove

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Cockington

A sheltered curve of pebbles below limestone crags, clear over a rocky seabed.

Photo of Mothecombe, a swimming spot near Bigbury-on-Sea, Devon, south west England.

Mothecombe

Estuary | Good ★★ near Bigbury-on-Sea

A sheltered sandy cove at the mouth of the River Erme, officially Meadowsfoot Beach, and open to everyone every day

Photo of Dawlish Warren, a swimming spot near Shaldon, Devon, south west England.

Dawlish Warren

Estuary | Excellent ★★★ near Shaldon

A tidal estuary swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Lynmouth, a swimming spot near Lynton in Exmoor, Devon, south west England.

Lynmouth

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Lynton

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Putsborough, a swimming spot near Georgeham, Devon, south west England.

Putsborough

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Georgeham

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Babbacombe, a swimming spot near Cockington, Devon, south west England.

Babbacombe

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Cockington

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Beacon Cove, a swimming spot near Cockington, Devon, south west England.

Beacon Cove

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Cockington

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Beer, a swimming spot near Branscombe, Devon, south west England.

Beer

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Branscombe

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Bigbury-on-Sea North, a swimming spot in Devon, south west England.

Bigbury-on-Sea North

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Bigbury-on-Sea

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Bigbury-on-Sea South, a swimming spot in Devon, south west England.

Bigbury-on-Sea South

Estuary | Excellent ★★★ near Bigbury-on-Sea

A tidal estuary swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Bovisand, a swimming spot near Plymouth, Devon, south west England.

Bovisand

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Plymouth

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Breakwater Beach (Shoalstone), a swimming spot near Dartmouth, Devon, south west England.

Breakwater Beach (Shoalstone)

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Dartmouth

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Broadsands, a swimming spot near Dittisham, Devon, south west England.

Broadsands

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Dittisham

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Budleigh Salterton, a swimming spot near Otterton, Devon, south west England.

Budleigh Salterton

Coastal | Good ★★ near Otterton

A coastal swimming spot rated good for water quality.

Photo of Challaborough, a swimming spot near Bigbury-on-Sea, Devon, south west England.

Challaborough

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Bigbury-on-Sea

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Coastguards Beach, Erme Estuary, a swimming spot near Bigbury-on-Sea, Devon, south west England.

Coastguards Beach, Erme Estuary

Estuary | Poor near Bigbury-on-Sea

A tidal estuary swimming spot, currently rated poor for water quality.

Photo of Combe Martin, a swimming spot near Mortehoe in Exmoor, Devon, south west England.

Combe Martin

Coastal | Sufficient ★ near Mortehoe

A coastal swimming spot with a sufficient water-quality rating.

Photo of Dartmouth Castle Cove, a swimming spot in Devon, south west England.

Dartmouth Castle Cove

Estuary | Excellent ★★★ near Dartmouth

A tidal estuary swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Dawlish Coryton Cove, a swimming spot near Shaldon, Devon, south west England.

Dawlish Coryton Cove

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Shaldon

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Dawlish Town, a swimming spot near Shaldon, Devon, south west England.

Dawlish Town

Coastal | Good ★★ near Shaldon

A coastal swimming spot rated good for water quality.

Photo of Dittisham, Dart Estuary, a swimming spot in Devon, south west England.

Dittisham, Dart Estuary

Estuary | Excellent ★★★ near Dittisham

A tidal estuary swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Exmouth, a swimming spot near Otterton, Devon, south west England.

Exmouth

Estuary | Excellent ★★★ near Otterton

A tidal estuary swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Goodrington, a swimming spot near Cockington, Devon, south west England.

Goodrington

Coastal | Good ★★ near Cockington

A coastal swimming spot rated good for water quality.

Photo of Hollicombe, a swimming spot near Cockington, Devon, south west England.

Hollicombe

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Cockington

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Hope Cove, a swimming spot near Bigbury-on-Sea, Devon, south west England.

Hope Cove

Coastal | Good ★★ near Bigbury-on-Sea

A coastal swimming spot rated good for water quality.

$Photo of Ilfracombe Hele, a swimming spot near Combe Martin, Devon, south west England.$

Ilfracombe Hele

Coastal | Good ★★ near Combe Martin

A coastal swimming spot rated good for water quality.

$Photo of Ilfracombe Tunnels Beach, a swimming spot near Mortehoe, Devon, south west England.$

Ilfracombe Tunnels Beach

Coastal | Closed near Mortehoe

A coastal swimming spot, currently closed to bathing.

Photo of Maidencombe, a swimming spot near Shaldon, Devon, south west England.

Maidencombe

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Shaldon

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Meadfoot, a swimming spot near Cockington, Devon, south west England.

Meadfoot

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Cockington

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Ness Cove, a swimming spot near Shaldon, Devon, south west England.

Ness Cove

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Shaldon

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Newton and Noss, a swimming spot near Noss Mayo, Devon, south west England.

Newton and Noss

Beach near Noss Mayo

A tidal estuary swimming spot in Devon.

Photo of Oddicombe, a swimming spot near Cockington, Devon, south west England.

Oddicombe

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Cockington

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Paignton Paignton Sands, a swimming spot near Cockington, Devon, south west England.

Paignton Paignton Sands

Coastal | Good ★★ near Cockington

A coastal swimming spot rated good for water quality.

Photo of Paignton Preston Sands, a swimming spot near Cockington, Devon, south west England.

Paignton Preston Sands

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Cockington

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Plymouth Firestone Bay, a swimming spot in Devon, south west England.

Plymouth Firestone Bay

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Plymouth

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Plymouth Hoe East, a swimming spot in Devon, south west England.

Plymouth Hoe East

Estuary | Excellent ★★★ near Plymouth

A tidal estuary swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Plymouth Hoe West, a swimming spot in Devon, south west England.

Plymouth Hoe West

Estuary | Excellent ★★★ near Plymouth

A tidal estuary swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Salcombe North Sands, a swimming spot in Devon, south west England.

Salcombe North Sands

Coastal | Good ★★ near Salcombe

A coastal swimming spot rated good for water quality.

Photo of Salcombe South Sands, a swimming spot in Devon, south west England.

Salcombe South Sands

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Salcombe

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Sandy Bay, a swimming spot near Otterton, Devon, south west England.

Sandy Bay

Coastal | Good ★★ near Otterton

A coastal swimming spot rated good for water quality.

Photo of Seaton (Devon), a swimming spot near Beer, Devon, south west England.

Seaton (Devon)

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Beer

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Shaldon, a swimming spot near Cockington, Devon, south west England.

Shaldon

Estuary | Good ★★ near Cockington

A tidal estuary swimming spot rated good for water quality.

Photo of Sidmouth Jacobs Ladder, a swimming spot in Devon, south west England.

Sidmouth Jacobs Ladder

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Sidmouth

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Sidmouth Town, a swimming spot in Devon, south west England.

Sidmouth Town

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Sidmouth

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Slapton Sands Monument, a swimming spot in Devon, south west England.

Slapton Sands Monument

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Slapton

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Slapton Sands Torcross, a swimming spot near Beesands, Devon, south west England.

Slapton Sands Torcross

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Beesands

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of St Mary's Bay (Devon), a swimming spot near Dartmouth, Devon, south west England.

St Mary's Bay (Devon)

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Dartmouth

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Steamer Quay, Dart Estuary, a swimming spot near Dittisham, Devon, south west England.

Steamer Quay, Dart Estuary

Estuary | Poor near Dittisham

A tidal estuary swimming spot, currently rated poor for water quality.

Photo of Stoke Gabriel, Dart Estuary, a swimming spot near Dittisham, Devon, south west England.

Stoke Gabriel, Dart Estuary

Estuary | Poor near Dittisham

A tidal estuary swimming spot, currently rated poor for water quality.

Photo of Teignmouth Holcombe, a swimming spot near Shaldon, Devon, south west England.

Teignmouth Holcombe

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Shaldon

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Teignmouth Town, a swimming spot near Shaldon, Devon, south west England.

Teignmouth Town

Coastal | Good ★★ near Shaldon

A coastal swimming spot rated good for water quality.

Photo of Thurlestone North, a swimming spot near Hope Cove, Devon, south west England.

Thurlestone North

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Hope Cove

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Thurlestone South, a swimming spot near Hope Cove, Devon, south west England.

Thurlestone South

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Hope Cove

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Torre Abbey, a swimming spot near Cockington, Devon, south west England.

Torre Abbey

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Cockington

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Warfleet Creek, Dart Estuary, a swimming spot near Dartmouth, Devon, south west England.

Warfleet Creek, Dart Estuary

Estuary | Excellent ★★★ near Dartmouth

A tidal estuary swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Watcombe, a swimming spot near Shaldon, Devon, south west England.

Watcombe

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Shaldon

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Wembury, a swimming spot near Newton Ferrers, Devon, south west England.

Wembury

Coastal | Good ★★ near Newton Ferrers

A coastal swimming spot rated good for water quality.

Photo of Westward Ho!, a swimming spot near Appledore (Appledore), Devon, south west England.

Westward Ho!

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Appledore (Appledore)

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Mill Bay

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Salcombe

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.