Beaches in North Yorkshire

We are blessed with some truly beautiful beaches in North Yorkshire. In this guide, we share some of our favourite places to visit on the Yorkshire coast.

Whitby

Whitby has a large sweeping sandy beach beloved by families, with easy access to amenities and donkey riding during the summer months. Colourful beach huts, windbreaks and deck chairs are available to hire.

Across the harbour is a second, year-round dog friendly sandy beach that gives access to East Pier and the dramatic cliffs and shoreline away from the town. Will you be lucky enough to find a fossil during your visit?

Scarborough

Scarborough boasts not one but two beautiful beaches for double the fun! The South Bay is wide and sandy, perfect for families looking to spend a full day playing and relaxing on the beach. It has very easy access to toilets, food and drink and shops, and has its own deck chair hire facility.

The North Bay is wilder, great for surfing and water sports, and has beach huts available for hire. Part of this beach is dog friendly all year round, while South Bay operates seasonal dog bans. It has a crazy golf and putting course as well as toilets and cafés.

Cayton Bay

A little off the typical tourist route is Cayton Bay, a beautiful expanse of beach between Scarborough and Filey. Don’t let the steep climb put you off, the clean waters and wildlife spotting opportunities are more than worth it. The dog-friendly beach has its own café, little shop and toilet facilities.

Staithes

Staithes is a beautiful, historic fishing harbour town with a lovely sandy beach, protected from the rough seas by piers. Car access is restricted to residents and those with accessibility requirements, with a large car park for tourists at the top of the town. It’s a great place for fishing, reading on the beach, or splashing in the water.

Robin Hood’s Bay

Six miles south of Whiby, you’ll find Robin Hood’s Bay, a picturesque fishing village with a mysterious smuggling history. The beach here is a mixture of sand and rock and it’s a favourite of surfers, although please be aware there is no lifeguard service in operation here. Children (and adults!) love exploring the rock pools here and there are lots of local shops, pubs and restaurants to enjoy.

Runswick Bay

Runswick Bay is a hidden gem on the Yorkshire coast. It’s a picture-perfect coastal location you can enjoy for many hours with the family. It’s dog friendly all year round and has easy access to toilet facilities. Colourful boats line the harbour and beach and if you’re lucky, you might find a fossil among the rocks.

Where are your favourite spots to visit on the Yorkshire coast? Don’t forget to tag us in your beach snaps on Facebook!