Beaches Guide

Stay Safe

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

Blue Flag and Seaside Awards

We’ve retained the international Blue Flag award status since it was first introduced in 1996 and as of 2024 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole have now secured 12 Blue Flag awards for Alum Chine beach, Durley Chine beach, Fisherman’s Walk beach, Southbourne beach, Branksome Chine, Canford Cliffs, Shore Road, Sandbanks, Friars Cliff, Avon Beach, Highcliffe and Manor Steps. 

Read all about the news and list of sponsors in the press release.

Blue Flag campaign sponsors

We have also secured a total of 14 Seaside Awards for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

Fantastic awards like this recognise the highest standards for water quality, environmental management, safety and services and environmental education.

Highcliffe Beach

Situated a short walk from the main town centre, this is a mainly shingle and sand beach which is the perfect environment for surfing, bodyboarding and sunbathing in the warmer summer months. Accessible via a variety of paved, and gravel paths, there is a car park atop the cliff with the Cliffhanger restaurant offering both a variety of dine-in and takeaway options.

Avon Beach and Friars Cliff

Avon beach is a designated bathing beach and is hugely popular throughout the late spring and warmer summer seasons. It is also one of the most accessible local beaches with a car park at beach level, making it fully accessible for those with disabilities and easier to access for families with small children. The Beach Hut Café is a friendly, welcoming facility with a fantastic array of freshly prepared food. Additionally, beach huts are available for hire, with a designated watersports segment in front of the car park. An additional watersports area is situated to the eastern end of Friars Cliff in front of the concrete wave wall.