Dogs welcome year-round
Year-round dog-friendly beach at the south end of Swanage Bay. A great alternative to the main beach during summer restrictions.
About Monkey Beach
Monkey Beach is a small, dog-friendly beach located near Swanage Pier, offering a quieter alternative to the main Swanage beach. Its sand and shingle composition and sheltered location make it suitable for dog walkers and those looking for a peaceful seaside experience. The beach is popular for snorkeling and angling, with amenities and dog-friendly venues within walking distance.
Notable features: Sheltered location, good for snorkeling, popular with anglers, located between the old Stone Quay and Swanage Pier. Good rockpooling opportunities, with potential to find ammonites, reptiles, and shell fossils (avoiding cliff bases).
Dog Tips
Dogs are allowed all year round and can be off lead. Ensure good recall due to proximity to the pier and town. Water safety is important, especially for dogs new to swimming.
Best Time to Visit
All year round, usually less busy than the main beach.
Hazards to be aware of
Unstable cliffs (general for Swanage area, not specific to Monkey Beach), jellyfish sightings in Dorset (seasonal). No specific mention of strong currents, rip tides, adders, or sharp shells for Monkey Beach. The Beach Guide states 'No' for lifeguard service.
Paid parking is available nearby at Broad Road car park (BH19 2BB), which has approximately 200-210 spaces. It is within a few minutes' walk of the beach. Charges apply from April 1st to October 31st (e.g., £2.00 for 1 hour, £12.00 for up to 13 hours for vehicles less than 4.8m) and from November 1st to March 31st (e.g., £2.00 for 1 hour, £4.00 for over 1 hour). Overnight parking (9:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.) is free.
Postcode for sat nav: BH19 2BB
Toilets are available within a 2-minute walk, next to the arcades and Museum & Heritage Centre. Cafes, restaurants, and pubs are within a few minutes' walk. No specific mention of dog waste bins, showers, or lifeguards directly on Monkey Beach, though the main Swanage beach has public toilet facilities and beach showers. The Beach Guide mentions 'Cafe/restaurant' and 'Toilets' as facilities.
Access off the lower end of High Street. The main Swanage beach is fully accessible with ramps, but Monkey Beach's specific accessibility for wheelchairs or less mobile dogs is not explicitly stated beyond general access from High Street. The Accessible Purbeck Guide states for Swanage beach: 'The vast majority of Swanage town centre is flat, providing excellent access to the many shops, bars, restaurants and cafes.' and 'The beach is fully accessible from its car parks - there is a ramp immediately next to the Mowlem complex, to the right and left hand side of the stone jetty at the foot of Victoria Avenue. There is additional ramped access next to the red phone box.' However, this refers to the main Swanage beach, not specifically Monkey Beach. Given the description of 'access off the lower end of High Street' and the lack of specific accessibility features mentioned for Monkey Beach itself, it's likely to be less accessible than the main beach.
Nearby Dog-Friendly Pubs
Pubs within a few minutes' walk. Broad Road car park is convenient for pubs including La Trattoria and The Ship Inn.
Nearby Cafés & Restaurants
Cafes within a few minutes' walk. No specific dog-friendly cafe names found for Monkey Beach, but the area around Swanage Pier and High Street has several options.
Location
Postcode: BH19 1BS
Nearby Dog Walks
Durlston Country Park, Swanage
320 acres of limestone headland and coastal wildlife
Old Harry Rocks from Studland
The eastern end of the Jurassic Coast
Studland to Old Harry Rocks — Family Coastal Walk
The classic easy coastal walk — accessible for all