Beach safety

Lifeguards

RNLI provide beach safety in Poole, funded by us. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer months; from 1 May to 30 September every year, from 10am to 6pm. 

Designated bathing areas

Designated bathing areas are marked out in the sea by yellow markers at:

• Sandbanks
• Shore Road
• Canford Cliffs 
• Branksome Chine

These crafts are not permitted in these areas:

• boats
• personal watercraft
• wind or kite surfers
• large, solid body boards

The designated bathing areas are marked out on the beach using the RNLI's red and yellow flags. These flags indicate the area patrolled by lifeguards. 

Beach zoning

From 1 May to 30 September, there may be black and white chequered flags along the beach at certain points. These show that hard crafts could be in the water near these areas.