The Keep Britain Tidy website lists Beaches which have a Seaside (Blue Flag) Award. Follow the links for full information on facilities, location, directions, etc. View the Marine Conservation Society’s Good Beach Guide which also lists facilities and water quality information for beaches around the UK.
The Environment Agency has very comprehensive information about bathing water quality around the coast.
Also, South West Water offer water quality alerts on their Beach Live website.

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At Wembury Beach, close to the city (accessed via the A379 through Plymstock) the Wembury Marine Centre offers activities throughout the summer holiday. According to Site Managers the centre is “all singing and all dancing” packed full of features including ramps and low positioned activities for wheelchair visitors, brighter lighting for visually impaired people and large print leaflets. Map reference SX 518 484.

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Blue Sound Project

Blue Sound is an exciting project in Plymouth working to connect more people with the marine environment. It is funded by Natural England as part of its £28.75 million Access to Nature programme, funded through the Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces programme. Blue Sound is a partnership project of the Marine Biological Association, with key partner CoastNet and many others across Plymouth. The project is led by a community action group made up of people of all ages, abilities and back grounds and activities so far have included snorkelling, beach cleans, arty days, wild food foraging, rock pooling and fishing. The action group have also produced a Snorkel Safari Guide to the Plymouth Sound and Estuaries European Marine Site. For further information, visit the website and join our Facebook group and see what we have been up to on Flickr.

Beach Ranger Seashore Activity Days run by the Marine Biological Association in association with the Blue Sound Project
Photograph by Custard Duck Photography

See What’s On for details of Rockpool Rambles, Seashore Safaris and other events.

It is advisable to be aware of the times of high and low tide before deciding on a trip to the beach. Information on predicted tide times is available from the UK Hydrographic Office Tidal Prediction Service.

Many children become separated from their families on the beach. A “Smart Beach Band” has been launched to prevent children getting lost. The waterproof wristband can contain the parent’s mobile phone number plus safety information. The bands can be obtained from Tourist Information Centres and lifeguard stations. For a guide to safety both in and on the water visit the RoSPA website.

PADI Discover SCUBA

Offers 10 year olds and up the thrill of diving, directly supervised by a PADI professional. Potential divers master basic SCUBA skills and could then decide to take the next step, the ‘PADI Open Water Diver’ course. Training courses are arranged to suit the needs of each individual or group. The course is offered by ‘In Deep’ Diver Training at the Mount Batten Centre.
Tel: In Deep on (01752) 405400

Surf Life Saving GB

Aims to provide facilities for young people from 8 years of age to participate in organised life saving as a voluntary, vital public service and in beach and water sports for enjoyment and recreation. For further information visit the Surf Life Saving Website.