7 best beaches in Brixham: 2024 guide

Discover the best beaches in Brixham with our full guide!

Whether you want a sandy or pebbly beach, Brixham, located on the southernmost end of Tor Bay, is most famous for its bustling harbour and marine heritage. 

But it’s also in close proximity to some of the English Riviera’s best beaches. 

From tiny shingle coves to wide-spanning beaches with powdery golden sands, this list of Brixham beaches has an abundance on offer. 

I live in Devon, so I’ve visited these beaches a few times, most recently on a trip where I hiked along the English Riviera coastline. 

So here are the best beaches in Brixham! 

Best beaches in Brixham

The best beaches in Brixham include Breakwater Beach, Fischcombe Cove and Shoalstone Beach, along with some beaches near Paignton and Kingswear. They encompass beautiful scenery with shallow waters that are perfect for swimming, and make up some of the best things to do in Brixham. 

Breakwater Beach

This is the closest beach to Brixham, and although it’s not sandy, it’s immensely popular on a sunny day! 

Breakwater Beach is a pebble and shingle beach with a host of facilities including toilets, a cafe serving refreshments and a paddleboard hire centre. 

The beach is a beloved spot for swimming and paddleboarding with its peaceful, inviting waters. 

Breakwater Beach is accessible; the beachfront has wheelchair access with well-planned ramps that connect to the promenade.

Want to stretch your legs? Walk along the half-mile Brixham Breakwater, which leads to the lighthouse. 

Don’t miss the quirky “Brixham Walk of Fame” which is a series of engravings related to people in the town. 

Fishcombe Cove

The secluded Fishcombe Beach is a very small spot, but it’s worth checking out if you’re in town – most tourists don’t know it’s there. 

Tall cliffs surround the beach, and the vividly blue water wouldn’t look out of place in the Mediterranean. 

It can be accessed by a (relatively steep) path from the car park or a series of steps from Battery Gardens.

Alternatively, it’s around a 15-20 minute walk from Brixham. 

It’s a dog-friendly beach throughout the year and has seasonal toilets and a café. 

As the waters are calm and clear, it’s a popular spot for wild swimming – but be mindful if you aren’t a confident swimmer, as there’s no lifeguard on site. 

Look out for seals – they’ve been known to populate the area – or pop on a mask and snorkel and see what you can find underneath the water! 

Shoalstone Beach

This one’s not exactly a sandy beach, but it’s well worth a mention!

The beach has a but of shingle but is mainly rocks. There are some incredible rock pools at low tide! 

Adjacent to the beach, you’ll find Shoalstone Pool, a tidal swimming pool that’s filled with sea water.

In fact, it fills and empties twice a day with the tide.

There’s also a cafe on site and deckchairs and sunloungers can be rented for the day – so while there’s no sand to spread your towel on, you can still spend a relaxing day here!

Berry Head National Nature Reserve is nearby; hike to Berry Head and see the 400 million year old cliffs (yes, you read that right!) or check out the Napoleonic Fort. 

Elberry Cove

Going towards Paignton, you’ll find Elberry Cove.

This small inlet, between Broadsands Beach and Goodrington Sands Beach, is ensconced by rugged cliffs.

Accessing Elberry Cove involves a bit of a trek.

The beach can only be reached on foot, a 20-minute walk from the Broadsands car park.

Elberry Cove is dog-friendly throughout the year.

But there aren’t any facilities on-site, so pack a picnic! 

Elberry Cove has a touch of historic significance; the ruins of Lord Churston’s 18th-century bathhouse are here, and it was one of local author Agatha Christie’s favourite Torbay Beaches. 

In fact, her nearby holiday home, Greenway, is not far off, and the cove featured in her novel “The ABC Murders,” serving as the setting for Sir Carmichael Clarke’s demise.

This makes Elberry Cove part of the renowned Agatha Christie Trail which runs through Torbay! 

St Mary’s Bay

Heading towards Kingswear, St Mary’s Bay is a secluded beach with calmer waters than others in the area.

It’s a sandy expanse dotted with shingle and rocks, backed by dramatic cliffs.

It was these cliffs that attracted smugglers in the 18th and 19th centuries, and historic smuggling tunnels and caves are still present here today! 

Access to St Mary’s Bay is attainable via a footpath and steep steps.

Dogs are welcome at the beach all year round – but there are no facilities or toilets on-site.

Parking is available at Sharkham Point car park, with an 8 minute walk along the South West Coast Path leading to the beach.

Churston Cove 

Churston Cove sits just behind Fishcombe; it’s worth heading to if for any reason Fishcombe is too busy!  

Looks-wise, it’s similar to Fischcombe Beach, made out of shingle and rocks. 

There aren’t any facilities here; although you could pop to Fishcombe to use their services. 

The beach is probably best known for its incredible of the entrance to Brixham Harbour. 

Broadsands Beach

Sitting between rocky headlands close to Paignton is Broadsands Beach.

This expansive, curving beach boasts a distinctive red-sandy terrain that stretches invitingly along the coast. Colourful beach huts line the promenade and overlook the gently lapping waves. 

There’s ample parking in a pay-and-display car park at Broadsands, and the number 12 bus (which connects Paignton and Brixham) conveniently stops nearby.

A promenade extends from the car park, providing easy beach access.

Disabled toilets and beach wheelchairs are also available. 

From May to September, dogs are prohibited from the beach.

During this period, the beach becomes a hub of activity, with two cafes and unisex toilets. 

Other beaches near Brixham

• Torre Abbey Sands: An expanse of golden sand near Torquay’s town centre, renowned for its lively seafront promenade; it’s the main beach of Torquay.
• Slapton Sands: A pebble beach further west in South Devon, that separates the Slapton Ley Nature Reserve from the sea, renowned for its role in World War II history.
• Babbacombe Beach: A picturesque, secluded shingle beach in Torquay, offering crystal-clear waters, a historic cliff railway, and stunning views over Tor Bay.
• Meadfoot Beach: A tranquil, rocky beach in Torquay, loved by locals for its position off the tourist trail, beach huts, and remarkable views of the English Riviera.
• Oddicombe Beach: A beautiful shingle beach at the foot of the striking red sandstone cliffs of Babbacombe, accessible via the charming Babbacombe Cliff Railway. It’s won multiple Blue Flag Awards.
• Goodrington Sands: Home to Splashdown Quaywest Water Park, this beach is located close to Paignton and is a family favourite. 

Are you ready to check out the best Brixham beaches? 

Whether you want to gaze at spectacular sea views, check out a natural rock pool or hike along the Torbay Coast, this list of Brixham beaches should help you to explore this seaside area. 

Do check out the rest of my Devon posts for more information about this county (where I live!) or drop me a message on Instagram if you have any questions.