Where to find lifeguards on beaches in Bournemouth and Poole, plus information on where you can swim in safety.
Lifeguards
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) provides beach safety in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, funded by BCP Council.
Lifeguards are on duty at the following main beaches every year, from 10am to 6pm.
Poole
- Sandbanks - daily: 29 March to 29 September
- Shore road - daily: 13 July to 1 September
- Branksome Chine - daily: 25 May to 1 September
Bournemouth
- Alum Chine - daily: 25 May to 1 September
- Durley Chine - daily: 25 May to 1 September
- Bournemouth West - daily: 29 March to 29 September
- Bournemouth East - daily: 29 March to 29 September
- East Cliff - daily: 13 July to 1 September
- Boscombe West - daily: 29 March to 29 September
- Boscombe East - daily: 29 March to 29 September
- Manor Steps - daily: 13 July to 1 September
- Fisherman’s Walk - daily: 25 May to 1 September
- Southbourne - daily: 25 May to 1 September
Christchurch
- Avon - daily: 13 July to 1 September
- Friars Cliff - daily: 13 July to 1 September
Please follow the RNLI's beach safety messages when heading to the beach.
- Choose a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags
- Check the weather and tide times before you go
- If you get caught in a rip current, don’t swim against it – instead, relax and float until you are free from the rip, then swim to safety
- If you find yourself in danger in the water, relax and float.
Designated bathing areas
Designated bathing areas are marked out on beaches using the RNLI's red and yellow flags. These flags indicate areas patrolled by lifeguards.
In designated bathing areas, these craft are not permitted:
- boats
- personal watercraft
- wind or kite surfers
- large, solid body boards.
Seafront Rangers
Our friendly team of Seafront Rangers are there to give advice and help you enjoy the seafront.
As well as patrolling the promenades and beaches across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, the team work from beach offices at:
- Sandbanks
- Shore Road (seasonal)
- Branksome Chine (seasonal)
- Alum Chine (seasonal)
- Durley Chine (seasonal)
- Bournemouth
- Boscombe
- Fisherman’s Walk (seasonal)
- Southbourne (seasonal).