This panorama was taken from the top of a sand dune on Shell Bay Beach close to the Sandbanks Ferry slipway. It was shot late in the afternoon in September 2008 while waiting for the chain ferry. You can see both along Shell Bay Beach itself, with the sand dunes behind. The ferry is visible part way across the entrance in the satellite view of the Google map.

Shell Bay Beach & Poole Harbour Entrance - Swanage visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Shell Bay Beach & Poole Harbour Entrance' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Dorset.

Shell Bay forms the beginning of the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset. The beach here is very popular at all times of the year. Shell Bay Beach is a long open beach of fine sand which stretches for miles round a headland and then along Studland Bay finishing at South Beach near to Old Harry Rocks. The beach is backed by sand dunes and the Studland Nature Reserve. The beach has limited facilities on it, but nearby is a cafe (with no parking, even for the disabled). Bathers should take care of the very fast currents that sweep along the shoreline, especially when the tide is in full ebb or flow. Swimmers should remain close to the shore. There is more sheltered swimming on Studland beaches.

This part of the Dorset coastline is very popular with boating, as can be seen in this picture, and the harbour entrance is often packed with both sailing yachts and pleasure power boats heading for the sea.

In the middle of Poole Harbour is Brownsea Island, and across the harbour entrance is Sandbanks. It is possible to walk from this point along the coast and over the cliffs path at Old Harry Rocks all the way to Swanage and beyond past Kimmeridge to Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door and, eventually, Lyme Regis.

Either via the Sandbanks Ferry from Sandbanks or Ferry Road from Studland and Swanage. The land is owned by the National Trust and all car parking (except for along Ferry Road) is ticketed. There are various car parks at the numerous beaches along the road, but each car park requires a separate ticket.