Bovisand Bay
Bovisand Bay beach guide: sheltered sand and rock pools on the South West Coast Path near Plymouth, with steep steps, paid parking and no lifeguards.
At a Glance
Beach Type
sandy
Lifeguard
No
Parking
Available
Access
Difficult (cliff path)
Swimming
Swim with caution
Facilities
Activities
Stay near Bovisand Bay
Closest cottage just 400m away
Bovisand Bay is a sheltered sandy beach that is easily reached from Plymouth, with rock pools. It is a bay of yellow sand with cliffs either side and views across to Rame Head in Cornwall on a sunny day. It suits families who can manage a steep climb with beach kit, and swimmers who are comfortable without a lifeguard. If you are staying in Wembury, the South West Coast Path links the two.
The beach and the tide
At low tide there is a large expanse of flat sand, with room for ball games, swimming and snorkelling. At high tide the beach is relatively small. Next door, the Crownhill Bay beaches, also known as Sandy Parlour, sit below the estate’s chalet park and mostly disappear when the tide is in.
Swimming and safety
There are no lifeguards on any beach here. Be aware of rip currents and large breaking waves, and do not use inflatables when it is windy. The rocks by the water can be dangerous to jump or dive from, because the tide changes the depth, and cliff falls of shillet and rock can happen, so do not sit close to the base.
Dogs
Dogs are not allowed on the Crownhill Bay beaches (Sandy Parlour) at any time, and Sandy Parlour is on the South Hams list of beaches closed to dogs in summer. On Bovisand Bay itself the estate permits dogs all year, though some guides report a 1 May to 30 September ban at Bovisand beach. In summer, read the signs at the top of the steps before you take a dog down.
Getting there and parking
There is a car park on each side of the bay and a charge applies. The car park above the beach, close to the cafe, can fill quickly on warm days. From there it is a fairly steep downhill walk of around five minutes to the sand, with steps and uneven paths. There is no disabled access to any of the beaches.
Toilet provision at Bovisand itself is limited, with facilities tied to the cafes or over at Crownhill Bay. At Crownhill Bay there is a beach shop and cafe, with public toilets in the car park.
Nearby
Bovisand sits on the South West Coast Path. A 5-mile walk leads north to Plymouth, or a walk south-east to the River Yealm past Heybrook and Wembury.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
- Where is Bovisand Bay?
- Bovisand Bay is in the South Devon National Landscape, on the South West Coast Path. Plymouth is 5 miles to the north along the path.
- Is Bovisand Bay lifeguarded?
- No. There are no lifeguards on any beach here, and there are rip currents and large breaking waves.
- Are dogs allowed at Bovisand?
- Dogs are not allowed on the Crownhill Bay beaches at any time of year. On Bovisand Bay itself the estate permits dogs all year, though some guides report a 1 May to 30 September ban, so in summer read the signs at the top of the steps.
- Where do you park at Bovisand Bay?
- There is a car park on each side of the bay, and a charge applies. One sits just above the beach near the cafe, and the other is at Crownhill Bay.