Bournemouth Beaches

Love Beach Life… welcome to seven miles of award-winning beaches!

Nestled beneath a magnificent cliff line, the bay enjoys its own micro-climate, some of the warmest sea temperatures in the UK and stunning views of the Isle of Wight and the Purbecks. Whatever you want from a day at the beach, you’ll find it all here.

Whether it’s chilling with the sand between your toes, strolling along the pier, relaxing in with an ice cream, building sandcastles, enjoying tasty food or just admiring miles of breath-taking coast line – Bournemouth beach is the ideal location whatever the weather or time of year. Every section of Bournemouth’s beach offers a different experience, so why not try out one of many superb water sports or enjoy plenty of family attractions at Pier Approach? There is a bit of the beach with your name on it!

Bournemouth has been ranked as the NUMBER ONE beach in the UK by TripAdvisor 2023. Among the many voters comments,  praising the golden sand, brilliant walks, cleanliness and stunning views, was this from visitor Daisy700 that sums it up perfectly - 'Couldn’t believe how beautiful it was. Honestly felt like being abroad. Nice clean sand, clear blue skies and blue water'.

If that wasn't enough, it also ranks amongst some of the best beaches in Europe, ranked 24th in 2023 Travellers' Choice Best of the Best Awards for Beaches.  

Bournemouth has a number of Blue Flag beaches such as Alum Chine, Durley Chine, Fisherman's Walk, Manor Steps and Southbourne.

Beach Safety

We want you to enjoy your time at the beach in safely, so if you're heading to our coast, please follow the @RNLI's beach safety messages:

• Choose a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags
• Check the weather and tide times before you go
• If you get caught in a rip current, don’t swim against it – instead, relax and float until you are free from the rip, then swim to safety
• If you find yourself in danger in the water, relax and float.

RNLI Beach Safety: https://rnli.org/safety/beach-safety

Dogs on Beaches

Dogs are allowed on all beaches from 1 October to 30 April. At all times you must clean up after your dog.  Failure to comply risks a fine of up to £1000. 

From 1 May to 30 September dogs are not allowed on any of our Blue Flag or Seaside Award beaches and dogs must be kept on the lead on all promenades, piers, zig zags and footpaths at all times. 

The beaches that can be used for dog walking all year round are: 

Bournemouth beaches

• Western side of the Alum Chine Beach Office to Branksome Chine Beach Office, Poole
• Middle Chine to Durley Chine 
• East of Fisherman’s Walk beach to Southbourne
• Hengistbury Head. 

Christchurch beaches

• Mudeford Sandbank 
• Gundimore Beach  
• Friars Cliff Beach (only between the wave wall and Groyne H4 at Highcliffe Beach) 
• Highcliffe Beach (no dogs between groynes H4 and H8 from 1 May to 30 September). 

Poole beaches 

• Eastern side of Branksome Chine beach office to the Western side of the Alum Chine Beach Office, Bournemouth 
• Western end of Sandbanks promenade to Haven Point by the chain ferry 
• Hamworthy beach.   

Download our dog friendly beach map for Bournemouth and Poole and Christchurch. 

Guide dogs   

Guide dogs are allowed on all our beaches all year round but only when working, in a harness and controlled by a lead.