The English Riviera has 22 miles of coastline with over 20 beaches and coves. Some are wide sandy and gently sloping, such as Torre Abbey Sands, Goodrington Sands, Paignton Beach and Broadsands. Many are smaller and more secluded, such as Ansteys Cove and Elberry Cove. Several of the beaches hold coveted awards for cleanliness and water quality.

Linking all these beaches is the Coast Path stretching from the south side of Brixham to Maidencombe. This walk around the Bay offers excellent and varied walking, with spectacular sea views, and a wonderful array of attractions. You will find beach cafes and watering holes for the thirsty and a wide variery of flora and fauna for naturalists. If you like water sports, fishing, boating or just lazing the day away, the coast line of Torbay has a wide variety on offe. Also make sure you check out our page on God Beach Advice. Although the beaches are very safe around Torbay, there are conditions under which everybody should take care. Children in particular are at risk. Make sure your aren't.

1. Maidencombe Beach, Maidencombe Type: Sand/Shingle Access: Generally easy, but steep in places Bus No.85 (Maidencombe Cross) Facilities: Ample parking; dogs allowed; swimming, safe with care; warning flags in operation; life saving equipment; toilets by beach; cafe/refreshments; deck chair/sun bed hire; pubic telephone Disabled:difficult access; toilets nearby (above beach) 2. Watcombe Beach, Watcombe Type: Sand Access: Moderate, but steep in places Bus No.85 (Moor Lane) Facilities: Limited parking; dogs allowed; swimming, safe with care; life saving equipment; toilets by beach; cafe/refreshments; deck chair/sun bed hire Disabled: difficult access 3. Oddicombe Beach, Babbacombe Type: Sand/Shingle Access: Moderate (cliff lift) Bus Nos.32, 122 (Furrough Cross) Facilities: Parking 1/2 mile from beach; dogs banned; swimming, safe with care;warning flags in operation; life saving equipment; first aid post; toilets by beach; baby changing facilities;cafe/refreshments; beach shop; deck chair/sun bed hire; public telephone; Disabled: moderate access; toilets by beach 4. Babbacombe Beach, Babbacombe Type: Sand/Shingle Access: Moderate Popular for fishing off breakwater, and for sailing Bus Nos.32, 85, 122 (St.Annes road) Facilities: limited parking; dogs allowed; swimming, safe with care; warning flags in operation, life saving equipment; toilets by beach; cafe/refreshments; deck chair/sun bed hire; public telephone Disabled: moderate access; toilets by beach 5. Redgate Beach, Torquay (Now Closed) Type: Sand. Please note, this beach is now closed due to the unstable cliffs above. Access: Moderate, but steep in places, via Ansteys Cove Bus Nos.21, 122 (Palace Hotel) Facilities: parking 1/4 mile from beach; dogs banned; warning flags in operation; life saving equipment; toilets by beach; cafe/refreshments; deck chair/sun bed hire Disabled: difficult access; toilets nearby 6. Anstey's Cove, Torquay Type: Shingle/Rock Access: Moderate, but steep in places Bus Nos.32, 122 (Palace Hotel) Facilities: Parking 1/4 mile from beach; dogs allowed; swimming, safe with care; warning flags in operation; life saving equipment; toilets nearby; cafe/refreshments; beach shop; deck chair/sun bed hire; chalet hire; public telephone Disabled: moderate access 7. Meadfoot Beach, Torquay Type: Pebble/Sand Access: Easy Bus No.X80-WN (Hesketh Crescent, Kilmorie end) Facilities: Ample parking; dogs allowed (kilmorie end); swimming, safe with care; life saving equipment; toilets by beach; baby changing facilities; cafe/refreshments; deck chair/sun bed hire; chalet hire; public telephone Disabled: moderate access 8. Torre Abbey Sands, Torquay Type: Sand Access: Easy Bus Nos.2, 3, 12, 118 (Belgrave Road) Facilities: Ample parking; Dogs banned; swimming, safe with care; warning flags in operation; life saving equipment; first aid post; toilets nearby; cafe/refreshments; deck chair/sun bed hire; public telephone Disabled: easy access 9. Corbyn Head, Torquay Type: Sand/Shingle Access: Easy Bus Nos.2, 3, 12, 118, 122 (Torquay Rail Station) Facilities: Parking 1/4 mile from beach; dogs banned; swimming, safe with care; warning flags in operation; life saving equipment; toilets nearby; deck chair/sun bed hire; chalet hire Disabled: easy access; toilets nearby 10. Hollicombe Beach, Torquay Type: Sand Access: Moderate Bus Nos.3, 12, 118, 122 (Hollicombe Gardens) Facilities: Parking 1 mile from beach; dogs banned; swimming, safe with care; life saving equipment; toilets by beach Disabled: moderate access; toilets nearby 11. Preston Sands, Paignton Type: Sand Access: Easy Bus Nos.3, 12, 118, 122 (Preston sands) Facilities: Limited parking; Dogs banned; swimming, safe with care; warning flags in operation; life saving equipment; toilets by beach; cafe/refreshments; beach shop; deck chair/sun bed hire; chalet hire; public telephone Disabled: moderate access; toilets nearby 12. Paignton Sands, Paignton Type: Sand Access: Easy Bus No. - all services to Paignton Bus Station Facilities: Ample parking; dogs banned; swimming, safe with care; warning flags in operation; life saving equipment; first aid post; toilets by beach; cafe/refreshments; restaurant; beach shop; deck chair/sun bed hire; public telephone Disabled: easy access; toilets by beach 13. Goodrington Sands, Goodrington Type: Sand Access: Easy Bus Nos.4, 118 (Torbay Leisure Centre) (North Sands) (South Sands) Facilities: Ample parking; dogs allowed (north sands);dogs banned (south sands); swimming, safe with care; warning flags in operation; toilets by beach; cafe/refreshments; restaurant; beach shop; deck chair/sun bed hire Disabled: easy access; toilets by beach 14. Broadsands Beach, Broadsands Type: Sand Access: Easy Bus Nos.4, 118 (Broadsands Park Road) Facilities: Ample parking; dogs banned; warning flags in operation; life saving equipment; first aid post; toilets by beach; cafe/refreshments; beach shop; deck chair/sun bed hire; chalet hire; public telephone Disabled: easy access; toilets by beach 15. Elberry Cove, Broadsands Type: Shingle Access: Difficult Also water-ski lane Bus No.118 (Broadsands Road) Facilities: Parking 1/2 mile from beach; dogs allowed; swimming, safe with care; life saving equipment Disabled: difficult access 16. Churston Cove, Churston Type: Sand/Shingle Access: Moderate Bus No.17 (Devon Cottage) Facilities: Parking 1/2 mile from beach; dogs allowed; swimming, safe with care Disabled: difficult access 17. Fishcombe Cove, Churston Type: Sand/Shingle Access: Moderate Bus No.17 (Devon Cottage) Facilities: Limited parking; dogs allowed; swimming, safe with care; life saving equipment; toilets by beach; cafe/refreshments; deck chair/sun bed hire Disabled: difficult access 18. Breakwater Beach, Brixham Type: Shingle Access: Easy Bus No.17 (Breakwater Beach) (on beach) Facilities: Ample parking; dogs banned on beach; swimming, safe with care; warning flags in operation; life saving equipment; toilets by beach; cafe/refreshments; restaurant; beach shop; public telephone Disabled: difficult access 19. Shoalstone Beach, Brixham Type: Shingle/Rock Access: Easy Also rock pools and sea water swimming pool (25 meters) Bus No.17 (Shoalstone Beach) Facilities: Limited parking; dogs allowed; swimming, safe with care; warning flags in operation; life saving equipment; lifeguards; toilets by beach; baby changing facilities; cafe/refreshments; deck chair/sun bed hire Disabled: difficult access 20. St. Mary's Bay, Brixham Type: Sand/Shingle Access: Moderate Bus No.17 (St. Mary's Bay Holiday Camp) Facilities: Parking 1/4 mile from beach; dogs allowed; swimming, safe with care Disabled: difficult