Babbacombe beach is situated east of Torquay underneath the red sandstone cliffs of Babbacombe Downs. It’s a small, sheltered arc of shingle and sand with plenty of rock pools to explore. The calm waters are perfect for swimming and bathing, and the safe shore is ideal for scuba divers both experienced and newly qualified. Renowned for the cuttlefish that arrive to mate and lay eggs in the shallow weed in spring, Babbcombe’s waters are full of life including crabs, shrimps, anemones, lobsters, and shoals of pipefishes.
For fishing, head to the pier and join the anglers who congregate to reel in dogfish, mackerel, pollock, whiting, and red mullet. It can get very busy during the summer, so you’ll need to head out early if you want to get a good spot.
The sheltered waters, easy sea bed, and prevailing south-westerlies make Babbacombe a popular location for sailing, and there are numerous sailing clubs that offer training courses for new sailors if you fancy trying your hand. For seasoned sailors, the Babbacombe Regatta, which takes place annually over a weekend in June, is a highlight of the Torbay sailing calendar which welcomes visitors to join the event as well as the evening reception.
A visit to Babbacombe beach wouldn’t be complete without a walk along the promenade on Babbacombe Downs. At 300ft above sea level, it’s the highest promenade in England, and the picturesque lane up to the top is very steep. However, you can always save your legs and take the Babbacombe Cliff Railway instead. Running since 1926, it connects the Downs with nearby Oddicombe beach.
Once at the top, though, the views across the bay are spectacular and you can often spot dolphins and seals playing offshore. Surrounded by thick woodland and stylish 1930s villas, from here you can explore the South West Coastal Path, the longest coastal path in the UK.
There are numerous cafés, fish and chip shops, and bars near the coastal path, but if you want to eat and drink right on the beach, The Cary Arms is a seafront inn serving the freshest seasonal produce from the south Devon coast including a wide range of seafood dishes, homemade pies, and Sunday roasts.
The steep road down to the beach can be hard going for cars, although once at the bottom there is a small car park by the beach. There are also toilets nearby that are open seasonally from April to October.
