Salcombe Beaches
Beaches are one of the reasons our guests return to Salcombe year after year. From the buzzing Smalls Cove packed with sailing dinghy’s, picnics and volleyball to the family-friendly beach at Mill Bay. There are the lesser known beaches such as Eleandor Cove and Splats Cove (brilliantly sheltered if the wind picks up) and there is endless scope for rock pooling, exploring and relaxing. Here are some of our favourites. Looking for the perfect beachside holiday home for your visit? Browse our selection of Salcombe luxury holiday homes.
South Sands and North Sands
On the Salcombe side of the estuary, there are two beaches that are easily accessible: North Sands and South Sands. Both are linked by road from Salcombe.
South Sands is also served by a regular ferry service from the centre of Salcombe from April to October each year. The journey in the recognisable blue, yellow and red ferry is definitely one to try, particularly with the quirky tractor ride out of the sea. At South Sands there is a café, the South Sands Hotel, the Tides Reach Hotel and a water-sports centre for kayaking, stand-up paddle-boarding and sailing.
At North Sands you will find the wonderful Winking Prawn (a Salcombe institution in its own right!) It is a shack-like Sixties-style restaurant with a buzzing atmosphere and delicious food. We enjoy the popcorn shrimp, Fruit de Mer and steak with pepper sauce.
The Beaches ‘on the other side’
On the other side of the estuary, called East Portlemouth, there are sandy beaches that will lure you across the water. There are many small coves which line the foreshore, with soft golden sand and views across the clear aquamarine water of the estuary.
The easiest way to access these beaches is to jump on the passenger ferry from Salcombe (in the summer this runs from the Ferry Pub steps; in the winter months from Whitestrand) or our concierge crew can organise a private charter boat – do have a look at our fleet of boats available to you.
Sunny Cove
Made up of 3 beaches that are stunningly beautiful and have spectacular views out to sea. Excellent rockpooling close by and the spit (more on that in a moment) is within a short walk when the tide is out.
Smalls Cove
Small but perfectly formed. Lots of action from this beach including watching the dinghy sailors prepare for racing.
Mill Bay
A large beach with lots of dry sand. To the right of the beach are perfect conditions for building dams.
Eleandor Cove
AKA Black Cove due to the black rocks rising from the sea around this turquoise idyll. Ask the concierge crew for more information on this little gem! For more information, take a look at our in-depth guide to all of the beaches in Salcombe.
The Hipple and Limebury
During a low spring tide a mound of sand, or a spit, protrudes from the sea producing lots of waves which are perfect for wave-jumping or playing on a boogie-board.
