Salcombe is a preferred resort community in the South Hams district of Devon, southern west England. The town is close to the mouth of the Kingsbridge Estuary, mainly improved the high west side of the estuary. It lies within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The community's comprehensive beachfront and the normally sheltered harbour created by the estuary generated its success as a watercraft and shipbuilding as well as sailing port and, in contemporary times, tourist particularly in the form of satisfaction cruising as well as yacht. The community is also home to a traditional shellfish fishing industry. The community belongs to the selecting ward of Salcombe as well as Malborough, for which the 2011 census recorded a complete population of 3,353. Kingsbridge Estuary (really a ria or drowned valley) lies between Screw Head as well as Sharpitor on the west and Portlemouth Down on the eastern, and also runs inland for some 8.6 kilometres (5.3 mi). The tidewater was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest in February 1987 and is additionally a Local Nature Reserve.