Poole Harbour & Poole Beaches Information

Poole Beaches

From the Sandbanks peninsula stretching along the coast to meet Bournemouth's beach, is the stretch of fine golden sand that makes up Poole's Beaches.

There are a variety of access points with car parks that lead you out onto a promenade and the sand. Often there is a chine stretching down towards the beach - a steep sided river valley which has traditionally been cultivated into gardens in the Poole and Bournemouth area. The majority of these access points have toilets, refreshments kiosks or cafes or restaurants and a Pay and Display car park. You can purchase a weekly parking permit for the beach car parks in Poole from Civic Centre Reception, Park Road, Poole which can be handier than carrying a pocketful of change around!

There are specific dog free and activity zones on the beaches and dogs are banned from the main beaches totally between 1 May and 30 September. Lifeguards patrol the beaches between May and September. You can hire any one of the 1,200 beach huts along Poole's beaches on a daily, weekly, six monthly or annual basis by contacting Poole's Leisure Services tel: 01202 708181 or have a look at the link right. Beach huts around at the following beaches: Sandbanks, Shore Road/Flaghead, Canford Cliffs, Branksome Chine, Branksome Dene and Hamworthy Park (site only).

For further information on Poole's beaches contact the Sandbanks Beach Office. Sandbanks Beach Office, Banks Road, Poole, Dorset BH13 7QQ. Tel: 01202 708181. Fax: 01202 701066. Email: beachoffice@poole.gov.uk.

Sandbanks Beach

The largest of Poole's beaches is Sandbanks beach. Sandbanks is three miles of clean fine sand and has achieved its Blue Flag status over twenty years by maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness. The Sandbanks peninsula is become more well known for its expensive houses and wealthy residents.

However, its safe waters and sandy beach means that it is considered one of the best beaches on the south coast. Sandbanks beach is good for bathing and canoes and pedalos are available for hire. There is also a dedicated launch zone for windsurfers. Tuition is available for both windsurfing and catarmaran sailing at nearby Shore Road.

The Beach Office is at Sandbanks from where you can organise short term hire of the beach huts. Deckchair, windbreak and parasol hire is available at Sandbanks as well as slightly further along the coast at Branksome Chine.

Branksome Chine Beach

Deckchair, windbreak and parasol hire is available at Branksome Chine, where, if you're looking for some shade, cross the road to Branksome Chine gardens.

The sea here is considered suitable for bathing and is a good spot or families.

Branksome Chine, Pinewood Road, Poole.

Canford Cliffs Chine Beach

Canford Cliffs beach involves a steep ascent down steps although disabled access has also been provided.

Canford Cliffs Chine, Cliff Road, Canford Cliffs, Poole.

Hamworthy Park Beach

Hamworthy Beach on the northern shore of Poole Harbour, is south of Upton at the end of the B3068, about one mile west Poole town centre. Hamworthy Park leads down to the beach where there is a small café for refreshment and ice cream during the summer.

The sea here is a popular flat-water spot ideal for kitesurfing and windsurfing for all abilities. There are one hundred beach huts lining the shore that are available to hire.

Hamworthy Park Beach, Lulworth Avenue, Hamworthy, Poole.

Lake Drive Beach

Just further west of Hamworthy Park Beach is Lake Drive Beach. This is a sand and shingle beach where Ham Common Local Nature Reserve backs onto the shore. The higher ground is covered with heathland where the rare sand lizard and Dartford warbler are still able to survive.

Lake Drive Beach, Lake Drive, Hamworthy, Poole.

Shore Road Beach

This is another stretch of fine golden sand just north of the Sandbanks peninsula. It is something of a hotspot for kite surfers and has a dedicated launch zone for windsurfers. Hobie Cat Catamarans, kayaks and pedalos are also available for hire.

Shore Road Beach, Shore Road, Sandbanks, Poole.

Watersports Poole Harbour

The naturally formed Poole Harbour makes it excellent for all kinds of watersports including windsurfing, wakeboarding, canoeing and kayaking and kite surfing.

There are specific areas designated for different watersports within the harbour. Kitesurfing and windsurfing are permitted at Whitley Lake with certain restrictions as well as the launches at Hamworthy Park, Shore Road and at Evening Hill and on the northern side of the Sandbanks peninsula. The helpful booklet "Poole Harbour Guide" is available from Poole Welcome Centre or by contacting the Harbour Master on 01202 440233 and contains further information on facilities and locations.

Personal Water Craft like jetskis and waterbikes above the speed limit of 10 knots is allowed only in the designated area to the north of Brownsea Island and a Harbour Master s permit is required. Waterskiing is only permitted to take place in the area designated to the North of the Arne Peninsula or the launches at Rockley, Harbourside Park or Cobbs Quay. Again a Harbour Masters Permit is required. Parascending is only allowed inside the Harbour with the permission of the Harbour Master.

You'll find several places where you can book watersports tuition buy or hire equipment. Check the weblinks right for more information. Tuition providers should be licensed with the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA) or check that the instructors are qualified to the relevant standard as set out by the relevant governing body such as Royal Yachting Association (RYA), International Kitesurfing Organisation (IKO), British Kite Surfing Association (BKSA), British Water Ski Forum and the British Water Ski Federation (BWSF).