Studland Shell Bay

Studland - Shell Bay

Shell_Bay_Studland_Dorset_white_sands_with_sand_dunes_looking_towards_Bournemouth

To get onto this beach you can either walk onto it right next to where the ferry stops on Studland side of the Poole Harbour entrance. Or if travelling by car, there is a very small carpark near the toll booth for the ferry. In the corner at the far end of the carpark near the Studland information boards you will see a path leading through the reserve area, which is about 100 metres long part of it is wooden boarding and part of it is sand so not easy pushing a pushchair, or for wheelchair users. and you would probably find it easier to get onto the beach near the ferry dock area. At the end is a short slope thats not too steep over the sand dunes to get onto the beach. The BBQ area is near here which is a seating area made up of large stones. The Photograph above was taken from the top of the sand dunes near the pathway. This is the end of the beach which is not for nudists.

Views of Pool and the entrance to Poole harbour from Shell Bay shoreline

Shell_Bay_view_over_Poole Shell_Bay_with_Poole_on_the_other_side_of_the_harbour_entrance

Beach Type: white Sand, backed with sand dunes the beach looks over Sandbanks Poole and Bournemouth, Bournemouth Eye can be seen in the distance as well as The Isle of White on clear days. Area provided for BBQ's
Information: Located at the very tip of the Studland Peninsula at the mouth of Poole Harbour. Shell Bay is a beautiful beach easily accessed by road, or, for those who enjoy boat trips, by ferry from Sandbanks spit. The bay forms part of the Purbeck Heritage Coast.
Lifeguard: No Patrolled by wardens. who have first-aid training. from May - September. RNLI Lifeboat Station located in Poole.
Emergancy Facilties: No, but Poole does have a lifeboat.
Safe for Kids: Generally safe. though strong currents occur near harbour entrance.
Pier: No
Litter and Dogs: Cleaned daily. Dog bylaws in force. Shell Bay & South Beach: dogs on leads 1 May–30 Sept. Dogs permitted all year on nature reserve, estate footpaths and South West Coast Path (on a lead)
Facilities: Café adjacent to the beach and toilets and baby changing situated near the café.
Activities: Swimming. windsurfing. sailing and fishing. There is also a marine and water-sports centre in the area.
Getting Here: Reached by road from Studland. or by ferry from Sandbanks.
Parking: A car park is close to the beach. opposite the toll booths for the ferry.
Public Transport: Buses run from Bournemouth and Swanage to Shell Bay. Both of these towns have train stations. There is a ferry from Sandbanks to Shell Bay which carries people - foot/cycle and car passengers.
Walking: The extensive Studland Heath National Nature Reserve backs Shell Bay. There is also a pedestrian ferry to Brownsea Island where tern colonies and lagoons can be seen. Eighty hectares of this 202-hectare National Trust owned island is a nature reserve.

Note: the nudist beach is based at the end of shell bay away from the ferry area ajoining knoll beach and is very well sign posted with blue signs giving you warning of the area you are about to walk into. Nudism can be an offense and if at anytime you are offended you have the right to call the police, though most people do understand that everyone is entitled to some rights.in the form of how they spend their leisure time If you are likely to be offended please do not walk into the nudist zone, which is very clearly marked and also has plain clothed police officers patrolling in the surrounding areas. Knoll beach and the Shell Bay area shown in these photographs clearly shows there is plenty of space for everyone to enjoy.

Sand Dunes leading onto the beach | View over Shell Beach and the walk towards the nudist area and Knoll Beach

Shell Bay Beach Stone circle BBQ Area backed by sand dunes. | Walk on/Car/Bus/Van Ferry from Poole to Studland (5 minute crossing)

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Studland Shell Bay