Swanage Beach

Swanage combines a Victorian-style seaside resort with a sheltered, calm, gently sloping sandy beach that runs the entire length of the town. Behind the beach is a promenade, which is partly pedestrianised in summer. Entertainments include the pier and amusements, crazy golf, canoeing and/or kayaking, diving, snorkelling, fishing, jet ski, sailing, swimming and bathing, and windsurfing. Beach huts, boats, deck chairs, loungers, and pedalos are available for hire.

The part of the beach that craft need to avoid is well-marked; motorised vessels pay to use the slipways, while non-motorised vessels have their own launch sites. There are designated swimming areas, marked with buoys, and a seasonal lifeguard service from around the end of May to around mid-September, from 10am to 6pm. Wardens also patrol in summer. There is also a lost children centre. Dogs are not allowed on the central beach from 1 May to 30 September.

There are several beach showers and public toilet facilities, some including baby change. Accessible toilets are located at Shore Road (next to the beach), the Pier, Museum and Heritage Centre, and Mermond Place car park, which offers 24-hour access with a RADAR key. Disabled access includes ramps onto the beach from the flat seafront.

Swanage Central Beach is adjacent to both the South West and Bournemouth Coast Paths. The location regularly wins awards, including Blue Flag, which it has held for 20 years running. Swanage Central also holds the Keep Britain Tidy Seaside Award and is Marine Conservation Society Recommended.