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Bournemouth East Beach in Dorset is an RNLI lifeguarded beach.

Bournemouth East Beach (East Cliff)

Also known as East Cliff Beach, this popular beach stretches for 1.5 miles just east of Bournemouth Pier to Boscombe Pier. It's a busy beach with many bars, restaurants, amusements, shops and access points. The KidZone safety scheme operates here too.

Lifeguard patrol times 2025*

Daily 05 April - 28 September
Patrol times 10am - 6pm
Please remember - No Flags = No Lifeguards

Today's weather

7°C Rain
Min: 5°C Max: 7°C
Get a 5-day forecast

Beach information

Stay safe on the beach

  • Wherever possible, swim at a lifeguarded beach. Find your nearest RNLI lifeguarded beach, or the Irish Water Safety website.
  • When on a lifeguarded beach, find the red and yellow flags and always swim or bodyboard between them – this area is patrolled by lifeguards.
  • Never swim alone.
  • If you get into trouble, stick your hand in the air and shout for help.
  • If you see someone in difficulty, don't attempt a rescue. Tell a lifeguard, or, if you can't see a lifeguard, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.
  • For more advice about having fun and staying safe on the beach, see our beach safety advice.

Ready to change lives working as an RNLI lifeguard?

As an RNLI lifeguard you’ll build your work – and life – experience, get good rates of pay and learn lifesaving skills that stay with you wherever your career heads next.

Have you got what it takes?

You can apply whether you live inside or outside the UK - you need to be 16 and of school leaving age, have a National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification (or equivalent) and meet a specific fitness criteria and have a right to work in the UK.

If you’re not qualified yet, don’t worry! Find out how you can get qualified by visiting the requirements and training section.

Become an RNLI beach lifeguard.

You can help save lives and make our waters safer for everyone.

Donate now

News and media from Bournemouth East Beach (East Cliff)

Aerial photo of crowd standing on the green at Christchurch Quay next to an Atlantic 85 lifeboat
Article Heritage
RNLI 200th Anniversary Service of Commemoration at Christchurch Priory
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Mudeford RNLI Atlantic 85 lifeboat and crew with multiple vessels on the water at Bournemouth Air Festival
Article Rescue
Multiple call outs for Mudeford RNLI at Bournemouth Air Festival
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Lifeguards rescue watercraft (RWC) or jet ski training in surf at Bournemouth Pier
Article Beach safety
End of the busy summer season for RNLI lifeguards in East Dorset
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RNLI lifeguard patrolling the beach at Sandbanks in Poole
Article Beach safety
RNLI lifeguards return to East Dorset beaches for half-term
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*The information shown is accurate at the time of publication, but details may change at short notice for various reasons beyond our control. Whilst every effort is made to update key information, its accuracy cannot be guaranteed. This includes the availability of lifeguard services at all locations on the dates or times stated.

Please remember - No Flags = No Lifeguards