Bournemouth is a lively resort town with lots of things to offer to keep you and your family entertained. The classic British seaside town has over 7 miles of sandy coastline. Bournemouth beaches are consistently ranked among the top beaches in the UK due to their captivating beauty, cleanliness, and excellent waterside facilities.
- QUICK TRAVEL INFO
- Most Popular Beach In Bournemouth: Bournemouth Beach
- Best Thing To Do In Bournemouth: Tour to Durdle Door and Lulworth Cave
- Top Hotel/Apartments In Bournemouth: Hampton By Hilton Bournemouth
- Check Out Seaside: Seaside Hop-on Hop-off Tour
Each beach in Bournemouth has a unique look and feel with something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re looking for somewhere the whole family can have fun by the seaside or a place to just sit back, relax and take in the sun and inhale the sea air, you will find a perfect beach in Bournemouth for you.
Bournemouth boasts of some of the most beautiful beaches in England, which you need to experience. Here are the stunning Bournemouth beaches to visit when traveling in the area.
Most Famous Beach In Bournemouth
Bournemouth Beach
Bournemouth beach is the busiest beach in Bournemouth, and it is the right place to go if you need some action. It is located near the city center and is a favorite for many people, and the reason is not far-fetched.
The stretch of fine golden sand, clear blue water, and the amenities available due to its closeness to the city are some of the reasons people love it here. This is a favorite for families because there are so many fun things to do.
Being close to Bournemouth town means numerous amenities and entertainment right on or near the beach. There are cafes, shops, restaurants, arcades, an IMAX cinema, and an oceanarium, making it a perfect spot for a family’s day out or vacation. There are beach huts for hire as well.
Watersport enthusiasts will have a fantastic time here because it is suitable for kayaking, jet-skiing, water skiing, surfing, and windsurfing.
Fishing, swimming, and sailing are other activities you can engage in here. Remember to go with your bucket and spade, as the fine sand on this beach is perfect for building sandcastles.
There is also a pier built in the 1880s, which was used to consolidate Bournemouth’s credentials as a major seaside resort. The pier is over 300 meters long, and back in the day, it was used as a departure point for steamers traveling along the south coast.
Best Bournemouth Beaches For Families
East Cliff Beach
Often called East beach, East Cliff beach is between Bournemouth and Boscombe and is located to the east of Bournemouth Pier. This well-managed, sandy beach is one of the two main Bournemouth beaches. It is known to be one of the cleanest along the coastline of Dorset.
The one and a half miles long beach offers an excellent stretch of fine, pale-colored sand that slopes gently into the sea. There is a promenade and Bournemouth East Cliff itself behind the beach.
The beach is an excellent family spot because of its clean sand, clean water, and superb facilities. There are beach huts and deck chairs for hire. You can also just set up your beach mat or tent.
Also an excellent spot for watersport enthusiasts because of rental services available here that can satisfy adventurers. The rental services here provide everything from paddleboards to kayaks and jet skis. You will have fun sailing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, and water skiing—also an ideal place for swimming, fishing, and sandcastle building.
Alum Chine Beach
Alum chine is one of the most popular beaches in Bournemouth, and it is situated at the western end of Bournemouth beach. The beach is stunning with its clean water and fine sand and backs an attractive tropical garden.
Alum chine is quieter than the other Bournemouth beaches in the town center. It is a family favorite due to its large playground with a pirate theme and paddling pool, lost children centers, baby changing facilities, and ice cream shops.
The beach is famous for water skiing, surfing, swimming, windsurfing, sailing, jet skiing, kayaking, and fishing. Also, remember to go with your sandcastle kit to build massive sandcastles.
The promenade on the beach is lined with colorful beach huts, and there is also access for the disabled with free beach wheelchairs. Dogs are allowed all through the year but only in the dog-friendly section.
Durley Chine Beach
Durley Chine is one of the best beaches in Bournemouth, and it is a 10-minute walk from the central beaches. The sandy beach is a favorite for families, especially those with young kids, because of its clean water, golden sands, ice cream shops, baby changing stations, lost children centers, and RNLI services.
The beach also boasts of a traditional pub and a café where you can grab a bite and some drinks. There are many bright and colorful beach huts and deckchairs to hire. Swimming, surfing, windsurfing, water skiing, jet skiing, kayaking, fishing, canoeing, and sailing are activities you can engage in here.
It is a dog-friendly Bournemouth beach, as dogs are allowed on sections of the beach all year round. Bring along a dog leash stake if you want to keep your dog close when relaxing on the sand.
Avon Beach
Avon beach is opposite Hengistbury Head in Christchurch, an ideal destination for families with young kids. It has everything you need for a family day out by the sea. The beach is gently sloping, mainly sand, although with some shingle.
The clean and shallow water is famous for paddling and playing water games. There is a section just for swimming and bathing. Another part of the shore is dedicated to water sports like windsurfing, kayaking, surfing, skiing, etc.
The beach is lined with pastel-colored beach huts, and there are deck chairs, sun loungers, and windbreaks. Excellent facilities are around the coast such as a restaurant, café and beach shop. There are disabled facilities and a first aid point.
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Branksome Chine Beach
The vast stretch of sandy beach with some shingle parts has stunning sea views. A promenade with a restaurant, bar, and shop backs the beach. Branksome is another family-friendly Bournemouth beach.
It boasts of facilities that make it suitable for families with kids, such as the baby changing centers. Disabled facilities are also available here.
There are beach huts for hire, and other beachside essentials are available for sale in the beach shop. Barbecue is available and allowed but with some restrictions. Windsurfing, kite surfing, and swimming are activities you can enjoy here.
Best Beaches In Bournemouth For Watersport
Boscombe Beach
If you want an activity-filled day by the beach, Boscombe is the place for you. It forms part of the lengthy, sandy shoreline between Sandbanks and Hengistbury Head. Water sports lovers like it here because of the waves.
The clean water and many free seaside activities make it suitable for a fun day by the beach. There are so many options, from volleyball to table tennis and mini-golf. Beautiful beach huts and up-market pods lined the wide promenade along the beach.
Water sports activities such as kayaking, canoeing, surfing, and swimming are some of the things you get to experience on this beach. Kids can run around, play in the sand and build sandcastles. You can relax by soaking in the sun and inhaling the sea air.
Southbourne Beach
Southbourne is one of the best beaches in Bournemouth, suitable for watersports. The beach is popular among families and windsurfers. The sandy and shingle beach have many facilities that make it perfect for families with little kids, including baby changing facilities, lost children centers, and RNLI lifeguards on duty in season.
There are beautiful beach huts for hire all year round. Cafes, pubs, and restaurants on the beach and nearby ensure plenty of foods are available to satisfy your cravings, including ice cream.
Water sports lovers will have a great time here because it is suitable for kayaking, canoeing, surfing, windsurfing, sailing, and jet skiing. The clean and shallow water here makes it ideal for swimming and fishing.
Sandbanks Beach
Renowned as Britain’s Palm Beach because of its expensive land prices, and it’s not difficult to see why. The exclusive spit of golden sand crosses the edge of Poole harbor and continues to Bournemouth. This Bournemouth beach is excellent for families and watersport enthusiasts.
The award-winning water, which is suitable for swimming and other facilities available, including a playground for kids, makes it an ideal family spot. There are facilities for the disabled as well. Children can have fun by running and playing on the beach. The soft golden sand is suitable for building sandcastles.
There are watersports equipment for hire, which makes it a haven for watersport lovers. Crazy golf courses, table tennis, and volleyball nets are available, which makes it a perfect spot for you if you need an activity-filled day by the beach.
Remote And Quiet Bournemouth Beaches
Hengistbury Head Beach
It is renowned as one of the most remote and quietest Bournemouth beaches and one of the prettiest. Hengistbury is an unspoiled pebble beach with imposing clay and ironstone cliffs. The beach is famous for its large nature reserve at the less developed end.
Hengistbury is an excellent spot for wildlife spotting and nature hikes and a favorite for water sports enthusiasts with activities like kayaking, diving, and windsurfing. It is a dog-friendly Bournemouth beach where you can take your dog for a walk all year round.
Manor Steps Beach
If you need time by the Bournemouth beach away from the crowd, Manor Steps is perfect for you. The beach is popular among locals and is generally less crowded. You can access Manor Steps easily in 10 minutes from the east of Boscombe pier. Low-rise wooded cliffs back the beach is backed by low-rise, wooded cliffs.
The sandy beach has a promenade that is an excellent place for a bracing walk along the seafront. Further along, the promenade has colored beach huts available for overnight stays. There are lots of facilities near the beach, including restaurants.
You can enjoy the sand, play on the waves and take in the coastal views along the promenade on this beach. The clear blue water is suitable for swimming and bathing.
Fisherman’s Walk Beach
If you need a quieter beachside experience Fisherman’s Walk beach is perfect. It is quieter than the other two main Bournemouth beaches. The mainly sand and some shingle beach is a family-friendly beach with many fun facilities like Barbecues, a kids’ playground, and crazy golf.
It is popular for activities like canoeing and kayaking, jet-skiing, sailing, surfing, windsurfing, and fishing. The clean water also makes it an excellent place to swim and bathe.
There is a pleasant promenade on the beach where you can easily walk to Boscombe. There are restaurants, cafes, and pubs where you can grab food or drinks. Dogs are not allowed throughout the year, but a dog exercise area is between Fisherman’s Walk and Southbourne beach.
Barton-On-Sea Beach
This is a short, shingle and rock beach, and high clay cliffs back it. Barton-On-Sea beach is one of the remote Bournemouth beaches located in Hampshire. This is a perfect place to spend time by yourself by the beachside.
The blue flag water is suitable for swimming and having a bath. Kayaking and canoeing are other activities you can enjoy here. The area is also popular for golfing and paragliding.
There are some stunning cliff-tops walking in the area, with views of Hengistbury Head to the West and the Solent and Isle Wight to the East. There are some facilities here, including disabled facilities. A Restaurant and a cliff-top café are available to serve you.
Where To Stay In Bournemouth
Derby Manor
This excellent hotel is located in the best-rated area in Bournemouth, and it is about 0.6 miles from Bournemouth beach. It offers comfortable rooms with all the necessary amenities. Breakfast such as Full English/ Irish, Vegetarian, Gluten-free, and buffet are provided. This is a great place to have a night’s rest after a day on the beach.
Hampton By Hilton Bournemouth
If you want to explore Bournemouth, Hampton-by-Hilton is the best place for you to stay. It is located in the heart of Bournemouth and is close to many attractions like the Pavilion Theater, Bournemouth international center, Oceanarium, and The Bournemouth Aquarium.
It is 5 minutes from the beach, and the rooms have an ocean view. There is a gym and a bar, and the contemporary-styled bedrooms have all the facilities you would need.
Various breakfasts are provided, including Continental, Full English/Irish, Vegetarian, Gluten-free, and Buffet.
The Green House
This elegant, award-winning, eco-friendly hotel is located right in the heart of Bournemouth. It is just a few minutes’ walk from Bournemouth beach. A local gym is close to the hotel; The Pavilion Theater and Bournemouth Pier are both 10 minutes from the hotel.
The bedrooms and bathrooms feature eco-friendly materials, from the bed linen to the basin. The Arbor Restaurant serves a creative menu, and the wine list is fully organic and biodynamic. A breakfast menu featuring Continental, Full English/Irish, Vegetarian, Vegan, and Gluten-free, Buffetas are provided.
Enjoying The Beautiful Bournemouth Beaches
There are many incredible options to explore along the Bournemouth coastline. Hopefully, this helps you discover some of the beautiful beaches in Bournemouth.
Whether you want a relaxing and quiet time by the beach or a fun time filled with many activities, you can have a fabulous time at the Bournemouth beaches. Grab your beach gear and prepare for an unforgettable experience at some of the best beaches in the Dorset region.
