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Page 2 of 3  Leaving the Harbour From Shell Bay across to Poole harbour entrance, Bournemouth, Hengistbury Head, Christchurch (Avon Beach) safe yellow sandy beaches stretch continuously for 8 miles. All these beaches have been awarded the "Blue Flag" for cleanliness. The responsibility of water cleanliness is mainly the local water company, also responsible for rivers and secondly the Dept of Environment. Regular checks are made all year round to test water quality for residents and visitors health and safety. Friars Cliff, more a steep slope of grass and sand approx 60 feet high above sea level stretches from Highcliffe to Avon Beach. Friars Cliff has cliff top parking, cafe, toilets and lifeguard patrols in Summer months, July to September and ideal for families with safe swimming and paddling . There is also information on water quality, sea and air temperature and safety advice. The beaches are constantly under erosion by the sea and therefore groynes have been built to reduce this, but the groynes also have the effect of reducing currents inshore therefore making the beaches safer for bathers. Assigned areas of the beaches are marked for Windsurfers and Jet Skis. See Useful Links for local clubs/training. Avon Beach is suitable for families and disabled due to beach car park, cafe and toilet facilities. In the evenings the beach is popular with sea anglers. Steamer Point, a wide, quiet beach is designated as an area for windsurfing and water sports and also hosts the UK Windsurfing Championships each year. Mudeford Spit viewed from Hengistbury Head can be seen in the photo gallery. The harbour entrance can be seen in far left of centre of photo, here at high tide therefore appearing to be quite wide.. The long line of hill to the rear is Friars Cliff. Mudeford Spit, a long line of sand helps protect the natural harbour from excesses of weather. To the left of the harbour entrance we can make out the buildings of the Haven Inn and "Dutch" Houses. See photo below. Recently one of these beach dwellings sold for £160,000. Notice the sand bars below the surface only visible at low tide. Keeping within the marker buoys is a must. The navigational channel varies so the buoys are regulary relocated. See aerial photo below..... Tides rise averages 2.1 meters at harbour entrance and at tide swing the speed of the current at the "Run" at Mudeford is high, 5 -10 knots. Tides also affect the Stour as far as Tuckton and up to Waterloo Bridge on the Avon. Tide Predictions from the Admiralty Photo Album 2
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Virtual Tour 
