Best Swimming Beaches in Dorset

A mosaic of towering Jurassic cliffs and sparkling shingle bays, the rare Dorset coast remains a wonder of the world. Wild swimmers treasure the county’s sweeping beaches and hidden coves, travelling from far and wide to bask below the majestic headlands in the clear waters.

From paddles along the foreshore to open water adventures, here are some of Dorset’s best swimming beaches. But before we dip our toes in, please be reminded of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s beach safety guide and advice from the Outdoor Swimming Code.

Lulworth Cove

 

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The clam-shaped shore of Lulworth Cove encapsulates the beauty of the Jurassic Coast, sheltered by the cupping headland, it could almost be described as a sea water lagoon. Visit during the high season and you’ll have to share this iconic location with a steady stream of beachgoers, but out of season you might be lucky enough to have it all to yourselves. Swimmers love to tiptoe down the pebbled strandline and sink into the gently shelving depths, more experienced bathers exploring the rocky arches and neighbouring inlets. You’ll find ample car parking close by plus a café and toilets. You can even hop aboard a pleasure boat and enjoy a cruise to neighbouring Mupe Bay and Durdle Door.

Mupe Bay

 

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Lulworth’s lesser-known but no less beautiful neighbour, Mupe Bay, lies just around the corner. This crescent shore sits below dramatic chalk-white cliffs, a towering and telltale expanse of the Jurassic Coast. Found by way of the Lulworth Ranges (please be mindful of the safety signs), the bay is considered on the wilder side, with testing terrain and scrabbly paths descending to the shore. At high water, the beach is restricted to rocks, with its inviting, sandy shelf revealed by the ebbing tide, along with the rockpools that freckle Mupe Ledge. Sea swimmers enjoy the quiet of this vast bay.

Dancing Ledge


Not far from the historic seaside town of Swanage lies Dancing Ledge. A popular stop for walkers exploring the Purbeck corridor, the ledge is a legacy of the coastline’s quarrying past, and when the tide is right, the wash of waves conjures the illusion of the ledge appearing to dance – hence the name. Not only was the ledge once used as a docking bay for small vessels transporting the highly-prized Purbeck Stone, it was also commandeered as a landing bay for smugglers. Dancing Ledge has a small pool, cleaved into the rock decades ago, where you can enjoy a revitalising dip. The currents around the bay are unpredictable and sometimes strong, so sea swimming isn’t recommended but the pool is so unique we couldn’t not add this famous Purbeck landmark to the list. You’ll find the clamber down quite challenging too, so not suitable for families with small children.

Ringstead Bay


Next up on our tour of Dorset’s best swimming beaches is a magnificent shingle swathe with dramatic views of the surrounding headland. Backed by rolling coastland pastures, at low tide Ringstead Bay reveals its sandy sweep as the gradient sinks into the turquoise water. This glorious stretch of the Jurassic Coast also has a fascinating history, steeped in tales of wreckers and smugglers and their attempts to stay one step ahead of the customs officers. The cliff tops above the bay provide sweeping views of West Dorset and a beautiful picnic spot, while access to the beach is via an ancient mariners’ track that’s typically steep and clambering. The waters are generally calm and inviting and considered safe for swimmers.

Weymouth Beach


Next on the list for best swimming beaches in Dorset is a golden stretch fronting one of the county’s most historic maritime towns. The award-winning Weymouth Beach sits before an iconic Georgian seafront, with a gently arcing shoreline well-known for its clean and safe water. This Blue Flag beach is very popular with young families, the bonus of the town’s attractions adding to its charm. Watersports enthusiasts also enjoy exploring this sheltered bay, with its gently ledging shore also lending itself to pedalo boats. During the height of summer, the beach plays host to some magnificent sand sculptures, as well as being a venue for festivals, sporting galas and fire displays.

The seafront still celebrates many of the nation’s traditional seaside favourites; donkey rides, Punch ‘n’ Judy shows and deck chairs helping to capture the nostalgia. At the southern end of the beach lies Weymouth pleasure pier, theatre and bandstand. RNLI lifeguards patrol the shores from May to September and town council beach attendants are also on hand to provide help and advice during the peak visitor times. Weymouth remains one of the best and safest swimming beaches in the county of Dorset.

Castle Cove

 

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The setting for our next beach is the low, rugged cliffs of Portland Harbour. Known locally as Sandsfoot Cove, Castle Cove lies below the ancient ruins of Sandsfoot Castle, built from Portland stone under the orders of King Henry VIII during the 1500s to help defend the harbour from marauders. This secluded, sandy inlet is speckled with rockpools at low tide, perfect for young explorers who can enjoy a safe paddle along the shoreline. Nearby Sandsfoot Gardens provides a charming picnic spot post-swim. In contrast to the bustling sands of Weymouth, this lesser-known cove is one of the region’s quieter beaches and it’s five-star water quality rating make it a gem for open water swimmers. A beach fit for a king.

Church Ope Cove


Further along the coast, as it narrows to form the Isle of Portland and the county’s southernmost point, we find another of Dorset’s best swimming beaches. Church Ope Cove is a secluded beach famous for its smooth, limestone pebbles that sparkle in the sun. This south-facing bay attracts wild swimmers, snorkellers and divers who enjoy these untroubled waters without straying into the stronger currents. The rule of thumb here is not to venture into the deeper waters. The cove is overlooked by the ruins of William Rufus Castle, also known as Bow and Arrow Castle, named after King William II. This venerable keep gazes out beyond the Shambles sandbank, one of the Jurassic Coast’s most infamous shipping hazards. Steep steps lead the way down to the cove which sometimes attracts pods of dolphins in their chase for mackerel.

Chapman’s Pool


Like many of Dorset’s best-loved swimming beaches, Chapman’s Pool is a challenge to get to, a scrambly descent that traverses the steep cliffs and best attempted in dry weather. Your reward is a stunning crescent cove lapped by turquoise waters that proves irresistible to bathers. The tall cliffs of St Aldhelm’s Head form a spectacular amphitheatre above, and ammonites and shell fossils are regularly found along the shoreline.

As with Lulworth Cove, Chapman’s Pool was formed thousands of years ago when the sea breached the dense Portland stone that once towered along this coastal corridor. The softer stone was swiftly eroded by the relentless tides and the clam-shaped bay was formed. Landslips still naturally occur up and down the Jurassic Coast, some extremely dramatic, such is the fragile relationship between sea and the rhythmic layers of mudstone, sandstone and limestone.

The pool is considered a secret spot for wild swimming and snorkelling, a quiet escape from some of Purbeck’s busier shores but is not suitable for novice swimmers, who should seek safer, shallower waters.

Worbarrow

 

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In the middle of the Purbeck coastline, stretching from the easterly headland of Worbarrow Tout to the western reaches of Cow Corner, is Worbarrow Bay. The bay is dominated by chalk and sandstone cliffs, typical of Purbeck, a prehistoric landscape rich in fossils; keep on the look out for the dinosaur footprints discovered on the Worbarrow Tout promontory. This is one of the region’s quieter beaches, a mix of sand and shingle that shelves quite steeply into the water. Wild swimmers love to explore this peaceful shore, taking advantage of the sheltered waters below the headland, sometimes swimming around to the neighbouring Pondfield Cove, one of the area’s most beautiful swims that’s also a very good snorkelling spot. Be aware of changeable weather conditions as it can get choppy. Even confident swimmers prefer the safety of a swimming group as there is no lifeguard cover.

The bay is not far from the historic market town of Wareham and the deserted village of Tyneham, evacuated during the Second World War. A lesser-known shore that deserves its mention on our list of Dorset’s best swimming beaches.

West Bay


Lots of wild swimming devotees will know all about our final beach on account of its Boxing Day “Wallow”. Every year, festive bathers brave the elements for a festive dip, charging down the shingle banks to take the plunge. The beach in question is West Bay, once known as Bridport Harbour, set on the mouth of the River Brit, overlooked by West Bay village and surrounded by spectacular sandstone cliffs. Set between the Jurassic Pier and the rock groyne sea defence, the bay is known for its exceptional water quality and abundance of marine life, making it also popular with anglers and wildlife enthusiasts – one of the bay’s most exciting visitors being leatherback turtles.

The eastern flank of the beach is thought to be the safest place to swim, and there is also seasonal lifeguard patrols. Parking is available along the esplanade and you’ll find plenty of eateries close by. West Bay is encompassed by lots of captivating coastal walks, while boat trips up the river are also a tourist’s favourite. The characterful market town of Bridport lies less than two miles further up the valley.

For more information about our holiday cottages located along the magnificent Jurassic Coast, click here.