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Shell Bay North Beach

Dorset, England

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Shell Bay North Beach is a beautiful and tranquil sandy beach located at the tip of the Studland Peninsula, at the mouth of Poole Harbour.

Shell Bay North Beach is situated on the Dorset coast and forms part of the Purbeck Heritage Coast. The beach is approximately 660 metres wide and is backed by sand dunes, with a stream flowing across the northern end. It is easily accessible by road or by ferry from Sandbanks spit, making it a popular destination for those looking to enjoy the beach and its surroundings.

There are two ways to reach Shell Bay North Beach: by driving along the peninsula from the Swanage end, or by taking a short ferry ride from Sandbanks on the other side of Poole harbour mouth. The beach offers a range of facilities, including parking, toilets, and the Shell Bay Seafood Restaurant, a Michelin-listed eatery with fine views out over Poole Harbour and Brownsea Island.

The beach is a haven for families and those looking for a relaxing day out, with plenty of opportunities for sailing, boating, and beach activities such as volleyball. The Shell Bay Sailing centre, an RYA recognised training centre, offers lessons and boat hire. The beach is also a good spot for watching ships coming and going, including the Condor Ferries to the Channel Islands. Additionally, there is a designated naturist area between Shell Bay and Knoll Beach.

Shell Bay North Beach is located at the very start (or finish) of the South West Coast Path, marked by a steel sculpture. The beach is part of the National Trust-owned Studland Peninsula, which offers a feeling of wilderness and tranquility, particularly during the quieter months of the year.

Shell Bay North Beach is on the Purbeck Heritage Coast, and adjacent to the Bournemouth Coast Path and the South West Coast Path.

Bay Sand

Weather and tides for Monday 19 October

Today
Chance of rain 75%
Max temperature 14°C
feels like 13°C
Wind 15mph
Max UV Index
Tonight
Chance of rain 100%
Min temperature 11°C
feels like 8°C
Wind 9mph

The tide at Shell Bay North Beach is currently falling. Low tide will be at approximately 11:05 AM, and the next high tide will be at approximately 6:36 PM.

Today's air pollution levels are forecast to be Low

Detailed weather and tides »

Other beaches nearby

Location: Sandbanks,

Location type: Rural

OS Grid: SZ037864

Coordinates: 50°40'39"N 1°56'54"W

Mapcode: GBR 44K.D5P

What 3 Words: healthier.twigs.suffice

Coordinates and location codes are for an approximate mid-point of the beach, and may not reflect the best access point or the most popular part of the beach.

County: Dorset

Country: England

Local Authority: Purbeck

Parish: Studland

Nearest postcode: BH19 3BA

(for sat-nav purposes only, a beach does not have a postal address!)

Important! Beach information is compiled from a variety of different sources and is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of compilation. However, information may be incorrectly supplied by our sources or go out of date after publication. BritishBeaches.uk makes no warranty as to the accuracy of any information on this page.

Visitor information for Shell Bay North Beach, Dorset, England. Weather, tides, visitor comments, beach facilities, photos, nearest postcode, beach information and nearby accommodation.

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216.73.216.201 Mon, 19 Oct 2026 09:12:56 +0100