Photo of Brightlingsea Lido, a lido in Essex, eastern England.

Brightlingsea Lido© Nigel Cox / Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Beaches & swimming in EssexEssex, England

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

Photo of Brightlingsea Lido, a lido in Essex, eastern England.

Brightlingsea Lido

Lido near Brightlingsea

A 1932 seafront lido in Brightlingsea, the last in Essex, rescued and run by volunteers since 2018.

Photo of Brightlingsea, a swimming spot near West Mersea, Essex, eastern England.

Brightlingsea

Estuary | Excellent ★★★ near West Mersea

A tidal estuary swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Canvey Island Foreshore, a swimming spot near Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, eastern England.

Canvey Island Foreshore

Beach near Leigh-on-Sea

A coastal swimming spot in Essex.

Photo of Clacton, a swimming spot near Frinton-on-Sea, Essex, eastern England.

Clacton

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

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Clacton Beach Martello Tower, a swimming spot near Brightlingsea, Essex, eastern England.

Clacton Beach Martello Tower

Coastal | Good ★★ near Brightlingsea

A coastal swimming spot rated good for water quality.

Photo of Dovercourt, a swimming spot near Harwich, Essex, eastern England.

Dovercourt

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Harwich

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Frinton, a swimming spot near Frinton-on-Sea, Essex, eastern England.

Frinton

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

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Holland, a swimming spot near Frinton-on-Sea, Essex, eastern England.

Holland

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

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Jaywick, a swimming spot near Brightlingsea, Essex, eastern England.

Jaywick

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Brightlingsea

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Leigh Bell Wharf, a swimming spot near Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, eastern England.

Leigh Bell Wharf

Estuary | Good ★★ near Leigh-on-Sea

A tidal estuary swimming spot rated good for water quality.

Photo of Manningtree Beach, Stour Estuary, a swimming spot in Suffolk Coast & Heaths, Essex, eastern England.

Manningtree Beach, Stour Estuary

Estuary | Good ★★ near Manningtree

A tidal estuary swimming spot rated good for water quality.

Photo of Shoebury East, a swimming spot near Southend-on-Sea, Essex, eastern England.

Shoebury East

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

A tidal estuary swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Southend Chalkwell, a swimming spot near Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, eastern England.

Southend Chalkwell

Estuary | Good ★★ near Leigh-on-Sea

A tidal estuary swimming spot rated good for water quality.

Photo of Southend Jubilee, a swimming spot near Southend-on-Sea, Essex, eastern England.

Southend Jubilee

Estuary | Good ★★ near Southend-on-Sea

A tidal estuary swimming spot rated good for water quality.

Photo of Southend Thorpe Bay, a swimming spot near Southend-on-Sea, Essex, eastern England.

Southend Thorpe Bay

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

A tidal estuary swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Southend Three Shells, a swimming spot near Southend-on-Sea, Essex, eastern England.

Southend Three Shells

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

A tidal estuary swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Southend Westcliff Bay, a swimming spot near Southend-on-Sea, Essex, eastern England.

Southend Westcliff Bay

Estuary | Good ★★ near Southend-on-Sea

A tidal estuary swimming spot rated good for water quality.

Photo of Walton, a swimming spot near Frinton-on-Sea, Essex, eastern England.

Walton

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

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of West Mersea, a swimming spot near Tollesbury, Essex, eastern England.

West Mersea

Coastal | Good ★★ near Tollesbury

A coastal swimming spot rated good for water quality.

Shoeburyness

Estuary | Good ★★ near Southend-on-Sea

A tidal estuary swimming spot rated good for water quality.