Broadsands Beach

Broadsands is a long sandy beach on the Torbay coast with parkland behind it and rock pools at low tide. It suits a day of rock-pooling and watersports, with a cafe and showers close by, and a short walk on to Elberry Cove if you want it quieter. The nearest town base is Paignton.

Swimming and lifeguards

The beach is classified as Excellent under the English Riviera Beach Standard. It is not lifeguarded: Tor Bay beaches are not patrolled or monitored by lifeguards, so tell someone where you are swimming. The beach has a designated windsurfing area, and boats under 4.5hp can launch from the slipway.

Dogs

Torbay Council bans dogs from the beach between 1 May and 30 September. A dog exercise area on the green behind the beach takes dogs on leads. From 1 October to 30 April, dogs can go on all Torbay beaches.

Parking and access

The beach is right in front of Broadsands car park. From there a long level promenade runs along the back of the beach, but getting onto the sand is not easy, via steps with handrails, though the slipway is also listed as an access route. Toilets are open all year, including disabled facilities.

Facilities and a walk to Elberry Cove

Facilities include a cafe or restaurant, beach hut and cabin hire, deckchair hire, boat hire and beach showers. Elberry Cove is about 400m from Broadsands car park along the coast path, with roughly 30 steps down to the shingle. Another sandy beach along the bay is Goodrington Sands.