Dorset Windsurfing beaches
The beach guide has 28 windsurfing beaches listed in Dorset. Check here for all windsurfing beaches in the UK
-
1. Shore Road - Sandbanks Beach (Poole)
With scenic views of Brownsea Island and the Purbeck Hills, this gently sloping, shelving beach with safe, clean water links to the main Sandbanks beach and is a family favourite. It's usually quieter than Sandbanks itself. The free…
2. Sandbanks Beach (Poole)
Sandbanks is a spit of golden sand that crosses the mouth of Poole harbour and continues all the way to Bournemouth, a distance of around five kilometers. Dubbed Britain's Palm Beach, because of astronomical land prices, Sandbanks is…
3. Swanage Beach (North)
The clean, white sands combined with sheltered, clear waters of the bay make Swanage an ideal destination for a bucket and spade excursion. The bay is flanked by magnificent chalk headlands on either side, and views out over the…
4. Bournemouth Beach
Bournemouth's main beach has been catering for beach-goers since Victorian times, yet remains one of Britain's favourite beaches. It is easy to see the attraction; a huge swathe of fine golden sand set on the doorstep of this vibrant coastal…
5. Studland - Knoll Beach
Knoll beach forms the southern end of Studland Bay's four mile stretch of white sand. Backed by sand dunes the beach forms part of the Studland National Nature Reserve.
At the northern end, Towards Shell…
6. South Beach (Studland)
South Beach, on the Studland Peninsula is a sheltered cove where a 2km stretch of sand slopes gently into the sea. It is popular with families with young children as the waters of the bay are relatively shallow. South Beach…
7. Friars Cliff Beach (Christchurch)
This award-winning beach, near Christchurch, is a good choice for a families looking for somewhere to paddle in the gentle waves and admire the lovely views. It is usually a bit less crowded than nearby Avon…
8. Studland - Shell Bay
Set at the very tip of the National Trust owned Studland Peninsula is the lovely Shell Bay. Depending on where you start this either the first or last of Studland's beautiful sandy beaches. There are two ways to reach Shell Bay; you can…
9. Lyme Regis Beach
Lyme Regis' picturesque harbour dates back to the fourteenth century. Known as The Cobb, it contains a small, sandy beach sheltered by a curving harbour wall, famously used in the opening shot of the film 'The French Lieutenant's Woman'.
Access…
10. Swanage Beach
Swanage combines a Victorian-style seaside resort with a sheltered, calm, gently sloping sandy beach that runs the entire length of the town. Behind the beach is a promenade, which is partly pedestrianised in summer. Entertainments…
11. Alum Chine Beach (Bournemouth)
West of Bournemouth Pier lies this clean, wide sand and shingle beach, backing on to attractive tropical gardens. It's usually quieter than the central beaches; family-friendly…
12. Harbour Lake Beach (Poole)
Harbour Lake is a sheltered, sandy beach not far from Poole town centre. The beach is surrounded by a nature reserve and seals are often seen swimming in the harbour. Popular for fishing, swimming and sailing.
13. Fishermans Walk Beach (Bournemouth)
A little quieter than the two main Bournemouth beaches at East Cliff and West Cliff, Fisherman's Walk is a family-friendly sandy beach with a pleasantly lively atmosphere. The beach is mainly sand with some shingle, and has beach huts…
14. East Cliff Beach (Bournemouth)
Located between Bournemouth and Boscombe Piers, this well-maintained, sandy beach is one of the two main beaches at Bournemouth. East Cliff beach has a reputation for being one of the cleanest along this section of the Dorset coast.…
15. Kimmeridge Bay
If you're interested in marine wildlife, Kimmeridge Bay is one of the best destinations in the country. The beach here is the best place to access the Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve. With an absence of sand the water visibility at…
16. West Bay (West)
The village of West Bay, formerly known as Bridport Harbour, lies at the mouth of the River Brit, about one and a half miles south of Bridport. West Beach is one of the two beaches on either side of the harbour and it forms a cove between…
17. Hengistbury Head Beach (Bournemouth)
Hengistbury Head is a relatively unspoilt and south-facing pebble beach, with imposing clay and ironstone cliffs. At the less developed end is Hengistbury Head Nature Reserve, which separates Poole Bay and Christchurch Bay. Plenty of parking…
18. Branksome Chine Beach (Poole)
This wide, sandy beach (with some shingle areas) has stunning views out to sea, and backs on to a promenade with a bar, restaurant, and shop. Drinking water is also available, with other refreshments and seaside essentials on sale at…
19. Southbourne Beach (Bournemouth)
Bournemouth's Southbourne Beach can be reached directly from Southbourne High Street via the Fisherman's Walk nature trail. From the top of the cliff there are views of the beach and Hengistbury Head and, on a clear day, the Needles…
20. Durley Chine Beach (Bournemouth)
West of Bournemouth pier, Durley Chine is often thought of as one of the best beaches in town, around 10 minutes' walk from the more central beaches. Its clean water, golden sands, and easy access to baby changing stations, RNLI services…
21. Mudeford Quay Beach
A small stretch of sand facing into Christchurch harbour. Ideal launching spot for small boats and canoes. Behind is a large grassed area which is great for picnicking and playing on. There are plenty of facilities scattered around the…
22. Mudeford Sandbank Beach
Situated at the mouth of Christchurch harbour this sandy spit of beach forms a barrier between the sea and this large natural harbour. There are great views both of the harbour itself and to the Isle of Wight and Needles across the Solent.…
23. Hengistbury West Beach
Hengistbury Head is a promontory which juts out almost a mile into the sea separating Poole Bay and Christchurch Bay. The mainly undeveloped headland has a terrain composed of a mix of heathland, woodland, wetland and scrub, and provides…
24. West Bay (East)
This fine shingle beach stretches from the western end of the vast area of Chesil Beach to the harbour at West Bay. The beach slopes quite steeply into the sea and there are some areas of sand at the water’s edge. Because of this…
25. Overcombe Beach
Just under two miles east of Weymouth is the wide shingle beach of Overcombe. Despite its relative proximity to the town the beach here has a very different feel with very little in way of development. It is a popular spot with local families…
26. Steamer Point Beach (Christchurch)
Steamer Point is a dedicated Local Nature reserve (LNR) between Friar's Cliff and Highcliffe Castle on the Dorset Coast. The 24-acre site offers outstanding views from the cliff tops to the beach below and out over Hengistbury Head in…
27. Rockley Sands Beach (Poole)
Rockley Sands is a small beach, just 150 meters long, next to Rockley Park, a large caravan park and Rockley Boat Park, near the town of Hamworthy. The beach has a view over Poole harbour and the Purbecks. It is a sandy beach with tidal…
28. Highcliffe Castle Beach (Christchurch)
A lovely sand and shingle beach, excellent for swimming, with safe, clean water and views across to the Isle of Wight. Access from the grounds of Highcliffe Castle. Steamer Point Nature Reserve is adjacent to the beach. Parking and other…
