Swanage Pier is one of the best-known landmarks on the Swanage seafront, extending into the sheltered waters of Swanage Bay at the southern end of the town. The restored Victorian pier is a pleasant place for a stroll, with excellent views across the bay and back towards Swanage.
The pier is also an important centre for activities on the water. Passenger boat trips depart during the summer, while the sheltered waters around the pier are particularly popular with scuba divers. Fishing, sailing and other watersports also take place from the pier and surrounding waterfront.
Swanage Pier is owned and operated by the Swanage Pier Trust, with much of the work carried out by volunteers. Admission, diving, fishing and parking charges contribute towards the continuing maintenance and restoration of the historic structure.
Website: Swanage Pier Trust https://www.swanagepiertrust.com
Opening: Daily throughout most of the year, with seasonal opening hours
Admission: Adult strolling £2.30; accompanied children aged 5–14 free
Dogs: Welcome but must be kept on a lead
Swanage Pier History
The present Swanage Pier dates from the late 19th century, although an earlier pier was built here in 1859–60 primarily for shipping locally quarried stone.
As Swanage developed into a seaside resort, increasing numbers of visitors began arriving by steamer. A larger pier was needed and construction of the present structure began in 1895. It officially opened in 1897 and quickly became an important gateway to the town, with around 10,000 visitors arriving by steamer during its first season.
Steamer traffic declined during the 20th century and the pier eventually fell into disrepair, closing following storm damage in 1982. The Swanage Pier Trust later took control and an extensive restoration programme allowed the pier to reopen in 1998.
Further restoration has continued since then, helping to preserve the pier as an important part of Swanage’s Victorian seaside heritage.
Things to Do at Swanage Pier
Walk Along the Pier
The simplest reason to visit Swanage Pier is to walk along it and enjoy the views. It is only a short distance from the town centre and can easily be included as part of a walk around the Swanage seafront.
Benches provide places to stop and enjoy the surroundings, while the end of the pier offers uninterrupted views across Swanage Bay and the surrounding coastline.
There is a small admission charge for strolling along the pier, which contributes towards its maintenance and restoration. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead.
Boat Trips from Swanage Pier
Passenger boat trips operate from Swanage Pier during the main visitor season.
Coastal Cruises operates a variety of excursions, ranging from shorter cruises towards Old Harry Rocks and Poole Harbour to longer trips along the Jurassic Coast. Some services allow Swanage to be combined with other attractions and destinations around Poole Harbour and the Isle of Purbeck.
Website: https://coastalcruisespoole.co.uk
The historic Waverley paddle steamer also visits Swanage on selected summer sailings.
Website: https://waverleyexcursions.co.uk
Boat trips are seasonal and weather dependent, so check current departure dates and times before travelling specifically for a cruise.
Access to passenger boats is from the lower deck of the pier and involves a short flight of open steps.
Diving
Swanage Pier is one of the best-known diving locations on the Dorset coast and is particularly popular for diver training.
The sheltered water beneath and around the wooden pier provides an accessible sea-diving environment, with a designated diver training zone beside the pier reaching a depth of around five metres.
More experienced divers also use Swanage as a base for boat dives to wrecks, reefs and other sites offshore. Diving facilities around the pier include equipment services, air and Nitrox, showers and trolleys for transporting equipment.
A heritage diving charge applies, with the money contributing towards the maintenance of the pier.
Fishing
The far end of Swanage Pier is a popular location for sea fishing, with species caught including mackerel, pollock, wrasse, bass, garfish, pout and dogfish.
Fishing charges apply and anglers are asked to follow the pier’s fishing code of conduct. Special bins are provided for discarded fishing line to help prevent it entering the marine environment and harming wildlife.
Anyone visiting specifically to fish should check current fishing arrangements and tide times before travelling.
Visiting Swanage Pier
Swanage Pier is at the southern end of the main seafront, a short walk from Swanage town centre and railway station.
Broad Road Car Park is one of the most convenient public car parks for the pier and is also well placed for Peveril Point and walks towards Durlston Country Park.
Opening arrangements, access charges and activities such as fishing and diving can change, so check the official Swanage Pier information before travelling if these are important to your visit.