10 Beautiful Beaches In Poole, Dorset To Visit

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The beaches in Poole are popularly known as some of the best in the UK and the world. Surrounding the coastline are various beaches around Poole that are primarily fine golden sand and safe stretches of water with blue flags.

The spread of golden sands, clear waters, and facilities make Poole beaches perfect for many beachside activities, including fun time with the family on the beach, watersports, swimming, sunbathing, walking, relaxing, and taking in the fabulous sea views.

Here are 10 beautiful beaches in Poole where you can enjoy a nice day by the water.

Most Popular Beach In Poole

Sandbanks Beach 

sandbanks-beach-in-poole

Sandbanks beach Poole crosses the edge of Poole harbor and continues all the way to Bournemouth. It’s labeled Britain’s Palm Beach because of its astronomical land prices. The award-winning blue flag beach is probably the most popular Poole beach. 

It is a family favorite because of the vast stretch of sand, clear water, and many facilities, including disabled facilities. There is a play area for children, an adventure golf course, beach huts for hire, and a barbecue area.

On the beach’s opposite side of the road is a large shallow stretch of water, a popular spot for paddle boarding and kayaking. You can enjoy swimming, good fishing, sailing and surfing on this beach. Let your child’s creativity loose and take advantage of the fine golden sand with their sandcastle building kit.

If you want to take your dog along to sandbanks, note that dogs are not allowed in all parts of the beach, there is a small section for dogs to the west of the beach. Sandbanks also host an annual beach festival each year during summer. 

The Poole harbor and island cruise is a popular activity for visitors and families.

Best Beaches In Poole For Families

Canford Cliffs Beach

Canford has picturesque views and is a popular spot for locals and families. The beach boasts of many facilities for a fun time; it also happens to be one of the quieter beaches in Poole.

The beach has flat soft golden sand and excellent clean water. You can lay down your beach mat or tent and simply relax.

Alternatively, the sand is firm enough for ball games like volleyball and soccer and building sandcastles. The clean water has gentle waves, which are suitable for swimming; there is a designated swimming zone. 

The beach is backed by a steep chalky cliff and a conversation area covered in greenery and home to wildlife. There are beach huts on the beach’s edge, and dogs are allowed except from May 1 to September 30.

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Branksome Chine Beach

There are some great views to be discovered at Branksome Chine beach. The wide sandy beach with some shingle parts has good facilities that make it suitable for families. The beach backs onto a promenade with a restaurant, shop, and bar. 

Refreshments and other seaside essentials are available at the shop, and there are beach huts for hire. In addition, there are baby changing facilities in some toilets and facilities for the disabled.

This is one of Poole’s beaches where you can enjoy surfing. Other activities you can enjoy here are swimming, bathing, and volleyball. Dogs are restricted on the beach between May 1 and September 31.  

Beaches In Poole For Watersports

Shore Road Beach

Shore road is a gently sloping, shelving beach that connects with the main Sandbanks beach. It has picturesque views of Brownsea Island and the Purbeck Hills.

This Poole beach is renowned for watersports because there are watersports equipment for hire, and the water is safe for watersports like jet skiing, sailing, and windsurfing. 

It is also a family favorite as there are facilities, and the promenade has ice cream kiosks and a café. The excellent clean water quality and sand make it an ideal place to have a fun time by the sea. There is a lost children patrol, and beach huts are available for hire. 

Facilities like a baby changing room and family room make it perfect for families with little kids. Disabled facilities like toilets and sand wheelchairs are also available. 

Sandbanks Harbor Beach

famous-sandbanks-harbor-beach

Sandbanks harbor beach is north of the famous Sandbanks beach, Poole. The beach has a scenic view of the beautiful natural harbor and Browsea Island, making it a perfect place to sunbathe, relax and take in nature. 

Clean water, excellent facilities, and a stretch of fine sand sloping gently into the harbor make it a perfect place for families. There are beach huts for hire, and shops and restaurants are also available.

It is popular for watersports because of its location on the harbor; you can enjoy windsurfing, paddle boats, and sailing. There is a swimming zone where you can swim and bathe. Out-of-the-water activities you can enjoy here is crazy golfing, and a mini-train takes passenger up and down the promenade during summer. 

Dog-friendly Beaches In Poole

Harbour Lake Beach

popular-harbour-lake-beach

Harbour Lake is a Poole beach not far from the Poole town center. This beach is popular for fishing, swimming, windsurfing, and sailing. It is a sheltered, sandy beach with award-winning water making it the perfect place to relax by the beach. 

It is surrounded by a nature reserve, meaning you can take in nature while watching seals swim in the harbor. There are facilities on the beach, including disabled facilities.

Your dog can come along to run around and play as dogs are allowed all year round. If you like to keep your furry companion close while you chill or sunbathe on the beach, simply bring along a dog leash stake.

Rockley Sands Beach

Rockley Sands is just 150 meters long, next to Rockley Park and Rockley Boat Park. A sandy beach with tidal mud towards the low tides is found here. The beach has a view over the Purbecks and Poole harbor. 

The strong currents make it ideal for surfing and windsurfing, but swimming is not recommended. You can also enjoy kayaking, canoeing, fishing, kitesurfing, and sailing. It is one of the dog-friendly beaches in Poole, with a designated exercise area for dogs. There is a beach shop and café.  

You can take a little walk from the beach down the coast to discover Ham Common, a hidden nature reserve with a peaceful lake suitable for a relaxing walk in a quiet environment. 

Other Beautiful Beaches In Poole  

Studland Shell Bay Beach

beautiful-studland-shell-bay

A wonderful beach right at the tip of the National Trust Owned Studland Peninsula. This beach is for families who want to escape from the crowd as it is a haven of tranquility, but a different story during summer as it gets busy. The beach has a wilderness feeling because of the extensive dunes beyond it.  

It is suitable for watersports such as windsurfing, sailing, and canoeing. Swimming and fishing are other activities you can enjoy here. There are a lot of facilities and the water is safe. You can also find a dedicated area for naturists/nudists between Shell bay and Knoll Beach.

There are restaurants and an eatery where you can enjoy seafood. You can also watch ships coming and going, including the remarkable Condor Ferries to the Channel Islands.  

Shipstal Beach

Shipstal beach is located in the beautiful setting of the RSPB nature reserve of Arne. If you need a Poole beach away from the crowd, Shipstal is perfect for you. Although the beach is within the confines of the busy Poole harbor, you may not meet another person here. 

You can access the beach via paths and wooden pathways through heathland and ancient woodlands. The woodlands spill out to the beach, offering shade and a natural feeling of wilderness. 

This is the perfect place to relax and take in nature, and you can swim and sunbathe on this beach. 

Hamworthy Park and Beach

hamworthy-beach-in-poole

Hamworthy is located to the North of Poole Harbour, a popular location for its seasonal paddling pool and children’s play area. It offers a haven of peace and tranquility from the other busy Poole beaches. You can spot the Purbeck hills from this beach. 

The sand and shingle beach has facilities and refreshments. A flat promenade is next to the beach with access from the car park and café.  

It is suitable for families with small children as there is a baby changing room in the toilets. Dogs are allowed all year round. 

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Where To Stay In Poole Near Beaches

Grovefield Manor 

This is an elegant hotel dating back to 1895. It is in a highly rated location and is only a few minutes from Candford cliffs and the sandy beaches in Poole. 

Grovefield Manor offers a bed and breakfast, including a buffet and continental breakfast. There is a bar and outside seating on the patio. It is a great place to stay if you want to explore Poole. 

>Check Accommodation Availability

Hotel Du Vin Poole

This is a luxury hotel right in the center of Poole town, just 10 minute’s walk from Poole Harbor. The beautiful rooms offer fine Egyptian linen and handsprung beds, giving you a comfortable night’s rest.

The restaurants serve the finest locally sourced cuisine, and full English/Irish, Vegetarian, and Buffet breakfasts are available. The bar offers an excellent and extensive wine list for you to enjoy. 

There are attractions near this beach; the Dolphin Shopping Center is only 15 minutes walk away, while Poole Park and Boating Lake are 20 minutes away on foot. Poole beaches are within a 10-minute walk.

>Check Accommodation Availability

Poole Stay

Poole Stay is in a top-rated location in Poole and is close to many attractions, such as Poole Harbor, Sandbanks, Brownsea Island Nature Reserve, and Brownsea Castle.

This excellent hotel offers accommodations with a garden. The rooms are comfortable and come with the necessary facilities. There are plenty of places to eat within 5 minutes of this Stay.

>Check Accommodation Availability

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Enjoying The Best Beaches In Poole

The beaches in Poole can be described as some of the best beaches in the UK, and you will see why. Whether you’re looking for famous sandy beaches or smaller hidden gems, there are some great beaches in Poole to explore. 

If you need an activity-filled day on the beach with your loved ones or a quiet relaxing day away from the noise, there is Poole beach that will meet your expectation. Otherwise, you will also find many other top beaches in Dorset just a drive away.


VISITING BEACHES IN POOLE? PIN IT FOR LATER!

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Welcome To NomadsUnveiled
This is Rax. For over a decade, I have traveled to over 60 countries - from a budget backpacker to a business traveler, expat and then a digital nomad. You can find insights and perspectives from myself and other world travelers that will inspire your journey of discovery.

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