Poole Beaches

Poole features some of Britain's best beaches, with three miles of golden sands, clean clear waters, and contemporary waterside bars and restaurants.

Glorious beaches - Four gently sheltered beaches, including Sandbanks, winner of more Blue Flags than any UK resort, with soft golden sands, open, raked, and cleaned all year round.

Enjoy year round- Regardless of the weather, the beaches are never closed! Try out some watersports, go for a winter walk, or just enjoy the views from one of the Pooles beachside restaurants, the perfect place to watch the world go by.

Home to world-class sports - Spot Olympic sailing, windsurfing, beach volleyball hopefuls, and the glamour of sandpolo as Sandbanks hosts the Annual British Beach Polo Championships.

Beach safety

To stay safe at the beach, always swim at a lifeguarded beach between the red and yellow flags, and never swim alone. For the exact locations and patrol times of the lifeguarded beaches across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, visit the RNLI website.

We want you to enjoy your time at the beach safely, so if you're heading to our coast, please follow @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

Beach Huts to Hire

Make the most of Poole's beaches with a beach hut.  Available to hire for a week or longer.
More info: Poole Beach Hut Hire

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, zigzags and footpaths at all times.

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

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.  

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).

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. 

Looking for accommodation in Poole… a perfect place to stay by the sea…

Poole has a wide selection of properties available for you to enjoy your stay on our award winning coastline. You’ll find hotels, guest houses, bed and breakfasts, as well as self catering options. Poole also has plentiful choice for camping, caravan and holiday park accommodation. If you are organising a group trip to Poole, you will be interested in our group friendly accommodation guide.