A large east facing town on the south coast of England south of Poole and Studland Bay.
"Swanage () is a coastal town and civil parish in the south east of Dorset, England. It is at the eastern end of the Isle of Purbeck and one of its two towns, approximately 6 1⁄4 miles (10 km) south of Poole and 25 miles (40 km) east of Dorchester. In the 2011 census the civil parish had a population of 9,601. Nearby are Ballard Down and Old Harry Rocks, with Studland Bay and Poole Harbour to the north. Within the parish are Durlston Bay and Durlston Country Park to the south of the town. The parish also includes the areas of Herston, just to the west of the town, and Durlston, just to the south.
The town, originally a small port and fishing village, flourished in the Victorian era, when it first became a significant quarrying port and later a seaside resort for the rich of the day. Today the town remains a popular tourist resort, this being the town's primary industry, with many thousands of visitors coming to the town during the peak summer season, drawn by the bay's sandy beaches and other attractions.
During its history the bay was listed variously as Swanawic, Swanwich and Sandwich, and only in more recent history as Swanage.The town is located at the eastern end of the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site. The town contains many listed buildings and two conservation areas – Swanage Conservation Area and Herston Conservation Area." Wikipedia
Latest Reviews
Swanage
3.2
We stopped overnight and dropped anchor, so can’t really comment on the town. From our deck, it look pretty and busy. It’s a pretty place to anchor and not too busy.
Swanage
3.5
Arrived in July and anchored with plenty of room in the bay. Plenty of paddle boarders and sea gulls keeping us entertained. Didnt make it ashore, preferred the view of the cliffs with dinner on board.
Add your review
0.0
Help us keep sailsecrets ad free by giving back into the community, simply share your own experience with other sailors.
Forecast

Nearby facilities
Explore using map view
![]() 1 . Bournemouth Airport2.5Bournemouth Airport offers flights to 22 destinations across Europe, with 700,000 passengers using the airport in 2016. |
Nearby Marinas, Harbours and Anchorages
Explore using map view
![]() |
![]() 2 . Salterns Marina2.5This privately-owned family marine has an interesting and fascinating past dating back to the 1700’s to when the site was active in salt-making, hence the same ‘Salterns’. Awarded five ‘Go... |
![]() 3 . Port of Poole Marina2.5Located in the upper reaches of Poole Harbour, Poole Quay Boat Haven & Port of Poole Marina offer an ideal place to berth your vessel. Poole Harbour is an incredibly serene location, sweeping from ... |
![]() 4 . Parkstone Yacht Haven Marina2.5Parkstone Yacht Club was established in 1895 and is situated on the North shore of the second largest natural harbour in the world. Poole harbour boasts panoramic views, sandy beaches and clean wat... |
![]() 5 . Poole Quay Boat Haven Marina2.5Poole Quay Boat Haven & Port of Poole Marina are both perfectly positioned to offer a base from which to explore Poole Harbour and its surrounding areas. Poole Quay Boat Haven can accommodate vesse... |
![]() 6 . Ridge Wharf Yacht Centre Marina2.5Ridge Wharf is a marina/boatyard in Poole Harbour accommodating sailing and motor yachts ashore or afloat, offering lift out, servicing, repairs, chandlery and fuel. Set in an area of outstanding n... |
![]() 7 . Lake Yard Marina2.5We believe we have the best marina in Poole Harbour, set in a sheltered area between the Arne Peninsula and the Lake in Hamworthy. Poole Harbour is the second largest natural harbour in the world, ... |
![]() 8 . Cobb's Quay Marina2.5Cobb’s Quay Marina at Hamworthy in Holes Bay lies in Poole Harbour, the world's second largest natural harbour. It has a lively, seafaring atmosphere, and with 1090 berths it’s a favourite with... |
![]() 9 . Worbarrow Bay2.5This wide bay is found midway between Weymouth and Swanage close to Lulworth Cove. |
![]() 10 . Lulworth Cove2.5Between Swanage and Weymouth this natural cove provides natural shelter for anchoring yachts in most conditions. |
![]() 11 . Alum Bay2.5This anchorage with stunning white cliff backdrop may provide good anchorage and shelter in the right conditions. |
![]() 12 . Keyhaven Lake3.4A U bend behind the sandbank is shallow and all but dries in low tide but may provide anchorage for the right boat in the right condition. |
![]() 13 . Freshwater Bay2.5A small bay inset from the land on the southern side of the Isle of Wight a short distance from the needles. |
![]() 14 . Weymouth Bay3.4A large bay north of Portland and east of Weymouth providing shelter from westerlies. |
![]() 15 . Yarmouth Marina3.8A largish marina with good shelter and moorings and a short walk into the picturesque fishing, ferry and yachting port, widely regarded as one of the jewels of the South Coast. The deepwater harbou... |
![]() 16 . The Cove Pontoons2.5Weymouth Harbour is the closest port on mainland England to Cherbourg, St Malo and all of the Channel Islands. Georgian architecture along the quayside helps maintain the harbours historic ambience... |
![]() 17 . Lymington Yacht Haven Marina3.4Lymington Yacht Haven has 600 berths all-tide berths, serviced with water, electricity and free Wi-Fi. Marina facilities include brand new state-of-the-art luxury washrooms and laundry faciliti... |
![]() 18 . Berthon Lymington Marina3.2One of the first yacht marinas to be built in the UK, Lymington Marina offers 280 deepwater, well-protected Lymington River berths for yachts up to 45m (150ft) LOA in the Georgian town of Lymington... |
![]() 19 . Lymington Marina3.2Lymington is one of the UK’s premier yachting centres and is located in an enviable position at the ‘gateway’ to the western Solent making it a popular destination for sailors, power boaters ... |
![]() 20 . Portland Marina2.5Right on the cruising crossroads for the Channel Islands and West Country, Portland Marina has the space for seasoned sailors, and the time for Jurassic Coast day boaters, anglers and divers. Book ... |
![]() |
Nearby Towns
Explore using map view
![]()
1 . Studland
|
![]()
2 . Canford Cliffs
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]()
9 . Christchurch
|
![]()
10 . West Lulworth
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]()
15 . Totland
|
![]()
16 . Overcombe
|
![]()
17 . Lymington
|
![]()
18 . Yarmouth
|
![]()
19 . Castletown
|
![]()
20 . Weymouth
|
![]() |