Shoalstone Pool

A 53-metre seawater pool built into the rocks at Shoalstone Point, topped up straight from Torbay and usually a degree or two warmer than the open sea. Families use the shallow end while lane swimmers count lengths with the whole bay in view. Entry is free and there is no need to book, but the volunteer charity that runs it relies on donations, so bring a few pounds.

Directions

Photo: Mike Warren · CC BY 2.0

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Latest reading · SwimScore 79/100 (Good swim) for a typical swimmer: air 17°C, wind 15 km/h, waves 0.4 m, UV 0. Updated 23 Sept, 22:00 UTC.

Know before you go

Best conditions: Calm, settled days; easterly winds push chop into the bay, which the operator suggests as practice for rougher water. Summer pool temperatures typically run 16–20°C.
Getting in: Free to swim with no booking; the charity that runs the pool asks for a voluntary donation per swim. Open daily May to September for swimming at your own risk outside lifeguarded hours. The pool closes for a clean roughly every fortnight.
Parking & transport: Camera-controlled pay-on-exit car park on site (around 40 spaces plus a seasonal overflow), with fees going to the pool. Bus 12 runs to Brixham town centre, then the 17 stops on Berry Head Road; it is about a 15-minute walk from Brixham Harbour along the South West Coast Path.
Lifeguards: Lifeguards on duty during the day through the summer season (the operator lists 10am to 6pm); check the pool's own pages for exact dates.
Water quality: The pool is fed directly from the sea. The adjacent designated bathing water, Breakwater Beach (Shoalstone), was classified Excellent by the Environment Agency in 2024 and 2025.
Season: May to September for general swimming; occasional dog-swim events are held outside the season.
Who swims here: Run by the Shoalstone Seawater Pool CIO charity with the Friends of Shoalstone Seawater Pool; the operator points swimmers to local groups including Brixham Wild Swimming and the 365 Sea Swim Challenge. The pool dates from Victorian bathing at a natural rock pool, walled in 1896.
Watch for: Cold water if you swim out of the pool into the bay
Rocks and seaweed when entering or leaving the sea
Currents and boat traffic beyond the pool, especially out towards the 5-knot buoys
Do not swim in the pool if thunderstorms are forecast
Facilities: 53 m seawater pool with a shallow end and ladders on both sides · Free changing cubicles and a shower · Seasonal toilets by the car park, including accessible · Stones Throw bistro and a poolside takeaway kiosk · Deckchair and sun lounger hire, picnic green and pool decks