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What does a beach mean to you? It may be sandcastles, sunbathing, paddling, surfing or walking along a sandy stretch. Here on the Isle of Wight we have beaches galore for all of this and more and you may even find evidence of dinosaurs too…
The Island has a varied coastline and because of this, can boast cliffs, coves, sandy beaches, secret inlets and rock pools to discover. From the sands of the East Wight at Sandown, Shanklin and Yaverland to the cove at Steephill and right around the West Wight to Compton Bay and Freshwater, you’ll be amazed at just how different the landscape becomes.
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The West Wight beaches are perfect for surfers. In Ryde you'll discover some of the most spacious beaches on the Island. The sand shelves gently into the sea, making it an ideal beach for families. Ryde beaches are easy to get to and you'll enjoy some of the warmest bathing waters on the Island as the incoming tide warms itself coming in over the hot sand. The soaring coastline at Compton Bay can be a fossil finders delight with dinosaur footprints visible at low tide. The towns of Sandown and Shanklin encompass award winning Sandown Bay, which won 'Beach of the Year' in the BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards 2019 with the magazine calling it a ‘traditional bucket and spade beach on the east coast of the island with miles of golden sand, pier and eclectic seafront – and just a short walk to peace, fossil-rich cliffs and stunning coastal wildlife’. There are smaller beaches at Ventnor, Colwell Bay and Steephill Cove which all have an have an endearing air of the traditional British holiday about them with beach huts and shore-side cafes.
The ideas above are not exhaustive and in fact its easy to find a relaxing beach spot pretty much everywhere around the Island.
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Apart from getting your Island dose of vitamin sea and basking in the sun, there are plenty of other things to do just a step away from the beaches. Spend your pennies in traditional seaside amusement arcades, have an ice cream or lunch at one of the many excellent cafes and pubs that use locally sourced produce or take a walk along the coastal paths to experience stunning views and spectacular sunsets. And don’t just think that the beach is for the summer. Some of the best, blustery walks can be had along the beach in winter months and throughout the year. Traditional family holidays very often include a four- legged friend and many of the Island’s beaches are partially dog friendly during the summer months – so bring Fido along, after all, it’s his holiday as well!
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There is an enormous amount of accommodation just a stone’s throw away from the beach in some of the most popular resorts on the Island from campsites and holiday cottages to bed and breakfasts and hotels. Throw the windows open and enjoy the fresh air and the views before you step out for your day on the beach.
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Did you know that 11 out of the 14 Island beaches have the highest rating for bathing water quality? Well they do. Having introduced a new standard 4 years ago, the Environment Agency gave the stamp of approval of ‘excellent’ to 11 beaches with the other 3 receiving a rating of ‘good’ so you and yours can paddle and swim knowing that you’re doing so in safe water.
The Isle of Wight also champions the ‘drive less see more’ ethos – it’s simple and easy to get to many of our beaches by foot, bike, bus or train. The recently published Slow Wight Travel Guide has some great ideas for getting around without a car – so why not slow down and see more.
Number of results: 23
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Totland Bay
Alum Bay beach is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque beaches on the Isle of Wight. This mainly shingle beach situated at the most westerly tip of the Island is framed by the iconic chalk stacks known as The Needles with the world famous…
Bembridge
The main beach in Bembridge runs down the coast from the spit at the edge of Bembridge harbour. The beach is comprised of stones, pebbles and shells but has sand below the high water mark and a large sandbank that extends into the Solent at low tide.
Bembridge
Bembridge Lane End beach is a pebble and stone beach toward the sea wall, but is also sandy underfoot making it good for paddling or bathing.
BEMBRIDGE
Bembridge Ledge is a stony beach which is a hidden gem amongst the beaches found on the Isle of Wight.
Newport
Brook Beach can be found on the unspoiled south west coast of the Isle of Wight, and is a beach made up of golden sands adjacent to the popular Compton Bay.
Freshwater
Colwell Bay is one of many picturesque beaches in West Wight, offer spectacular views back across the Solent to mainland England.
Freshwater
One of the Isle of Wight’s best kept secrets is Compton Beach. Located in West Wight, Compton offers a two mile stretch of contrasting golden and dark sands, with rolling seas
Cowes
Cowes Beach is a short pebble and shell covered beach to the west of the town front or Parade.
EAST COWES
East Cowes Beach is a quiet shingle and sand beach with fantastic views across West Cowes and its marina, and also out across the Solent.
Freshwater
Freshwater Bay is one of the most picturesque beaches in West Wight and lies just to the South of the town of Freshwater.
Cowes
Gurnard Beach is a quaint traditional, pebble and shingle beach, within walking distance from the town of Cowes.
Sandown
Lake Beach is located between the popular resort beaches of Sandown and Shanklin, and shares the same gently sloping golden sands and clear swimming waters.
EAST COWES
Step into Queen Victoria’s favourite country home and experience a world unchanged since the monarch died here just over 100 years ago.
Ryde
The beaches at Ryde lie on the north east coast of the Isle of Wight and offer miles and miles of sandy shores.
Sandown
Sandown Beach is one of the Isle of Wight's finest and most recognised beaches, with miles of soft golden sands crowned by Sandown’s pleasure pier.
Seaview
Seagrove Bay sits between Seaview beach and Priory Bay on the north east coast and boasts some of the largest and most imposing seaside properties on the Isle of Wight.
SHANKLIN
Shanklin Beach is a one of the Isle of Wight’s best known stretches of golden sands, which backs onto a traditional English seafront promenade.
SHANKLIN
Small Hope Beach sits to the left of the main Shanklin seafront and backs onto a spectacular cliff face.
Seaview
Springvale Beach stretches from Puckpool to Seaview on the north coast of the Isle of Wight and is made up of a mixture of shingle and sand.
Ventnor
Tucked away at the foot of the Ventnor Undercliff area, and only accessible by foot is one of the Isle of Wight’s true hidden gems; Steephill Cove.
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The Needles Landmark Attraction
Isle of Wight Pearl
Sandham Gardens
Isle of Wight Steam Railway
Luccombe Manor
Luccombe Hall Hotel
Dog Friendly Accommodation
Ferries & Accommodation
Isle of Wight Walking Festival
Terror Island at Blackgang Chine
Wizard Week at Isle of Wight Steam Railway
The Harp on Wight Festival will take place in Ryde between 22nd and 26th October.
Dog friendly
Competitions
Over half of the Isle of Wight is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Family Holidays
Information on all the ferry options available to the Isle of Wight from mainland UK
Slow Travel Guide
Bike Hire
Walking
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