Things to do in the Summer on the Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight is the perfect destination for summer getaways, offering unforgettable holidays for couples, families, and friends. During summer, the Isle of Wight comes alive with exciting things to do, from exploring popular attractions to relaxing on beautiful beaches. Whether you're planning a family break, a romantic escape, or an adventure with friends, you'll find plenty of summer events and festivals across our island that bring the Isle of Wight's culture and character to life. With a wide range of accommodation options available, from luxury hotels, cosy cottages to family-friendly holiday parks, and welcoming B&Bs, there's something to suit every taste and budget. The Isle of Wight is the ideal place to soak up the summer sunshine, enjoy the coastal charm, and create lasting memories.

Isle of Wight attractions and activities

Summer is the perfect time to explore the Isle of Wight, with a wide range of attractions and outdoor activities to enjoy across our island. From family-friendly attractions and historic landmarks to scenic coastal walks and adventure-filled experiences, there are endless things to do for all ages. Make memories to last a lifetime this summer with the ones you love. 

Family friendly attractions

You will find plenty to enjoy across our island, with a fantastic choice of family attractions to keep all ages entertained. Enjoy over 35 rides and attractions set within 88 acres at Robin Hill Adventure Park, or meet lots of animals and enjoy the indoor and outdoor play areas  at Tapnell Farm Park. For even more excitement, speed down waterslides and take on adrenaline-filled adventures at the UK’s oldest amusement park, Blackgang Chine – a firm favourite with kids big and small.

Meet an incredible variety of animals across the Isle of Wight, from playful monkeys at Monkey Haven and rescued bears at Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, to exotic wildlife at Amazon World Zoo Park and the much-loved donkeys at the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary.

For unforgettable views, take a ride on the iconic chairlift at The Needles Landmark Attraction and soak up breathtaking coastal scenery over the famous Needles. Or head to Sandham Gardens, where high nets and open-air adventure spaces let you experience Sandown’s coastline from a whole new perspective. 

The Isle of Wight has a thriving creative scene, making it a wonderful destination for anyone interested in art and craft. You can take part in hands-on workshops at Island CraftWorks, where you can slow down, get creative and make your own unique keepsakes in a relaxed, welcoming studio. For something truly inspiring, Isle of Wight Studio Glass showcases the incredible skill of master glassmakers, where you can watch traditional techniques in action and see stunning handcrafted glass pieces come to life. 

Historic attractions

Explore the elegance of Osborne, Queen Victoria’s former seaside residence, and step into royal history surrounded by beautiful gardens and coastal views. Discover the medieval world of Carisbrooke Castle, where you can dress as a soldier, explore ancient walls and imagine life through centuries of Island history. Then continue your journey back in time aboard the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, where beautifully restored steam trains offer a nostalgic adventure through our island’s stunning countryside.

Adventure activities

Many people come back year after year to recapture the perfection of traditional seaside holidays. Others come to enjoy the sailing, watersports and sailor-life. Or if you’re looking to try a brand new sport or adventure activity during your Summer holiday, try the floating water park, or climb a beautiful old oak tree in Appley Park to get the best views of the Solent with Goodleaf Tree Climbing.  

Summer events and festivals

Summer on the Isle of Wight is filled with exciting events and festivals that bring our island to life. From world-renowned sailing regattas, live music to family-friendly festivals, there's always something happening throughout the summer on our island. Whether you're visiting for a weekend break or a longer holiday, summer is the perfect time to discover what's on, enjoy the vibrant atmosphere, and experience the Isle of Wight's welcoming community, stunning coastal settings, and a packed programme of events.

 Food lovers can enjoy the Isle of Wight Garlic Festival, one of our island’s most popular  summer events, featuring live music, family entertainment, star chefs and plenty of garlic-inspired treats. 

The Royal Isle of Wight County Show celebrates the very best of Island life with livestock displays, local produce, equestrian events and family activities.

Classic Isle Presents Proms ’26 brings an evening of world-class music under the stars at Robin Hill, complete with performances from the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and a spectacular fireworks finale. 

Sailing enthusiasts can experience the excitement of Cowes Week, one of the world’s largest sailing regattas, combining competitive racing with a vibrant programme of shoreside entertainment. Also, in Cowes, the Sailing Through Royal History Exhibition: The Royal Yacht Britannia offers a fascinating insight into royal sailing heritage through interactive displays, virtual reality experiences and historic exhibits. 

Meanwhile, Ventnor Fringe transforms the town into a unique stage for music, comedy, theatre and circus performances in extraordinary locations, while the Ventnor Pirate Festival brings four days of live music, family fun and seafaring entertainment to the south coast. 

Discover our dramatic coastline

Described as lowland England in miniature, exploring the beautiful coastline during the glorious Summer months is a wonderful experience, with everything from fossil hunting to kayaking around the cliff edges on offer. Alongside dramatic cliffs, secret woodlands and rolling hills, you’ll find open chalk downs, patchwork fields and stunning views across both the countryside and coast.

You can take a stroll up and across Freshwater Bay to the west of our island, or spend the day exploring Culver Down on the east - with great views of Sandown and the coastline. But one of the best ways to see our island in Summer is off-shore. Why not book a sailing or boat trip and witness the beautiful coastline by sea?

Beaches and watersports

Pack a picnic, your sun cream and towel and head for one of the many award-winning Isle of Wight beaches. From white sandy beaches and calm clean waters perfect for sunning, swimming, and paddle boarding, to dramatic cliffs and swell perfect for a day spent hunting fossils and catching waves – we’ve got a beach to suit all.

Plan your visit to the beach during your stay with the simple-to-use Beach Check App. The app provides real-time information for Ryde, Sandown, Shanklin and Ventnor beaches. You can find out how crowded a beach is so you, your friends and family can enjoy promenades and beaches safely. Using a traffic light system, you will be able to check whether beaches are quiet (marked green), starting to get busier (marked orange) or are congested (marked red). Download the free app to plan your next beach trip.

The Isle of Wight has so many different beachside experiences to offer, it’s worth exploring to find the perfect one for you and your family. Plus, with 25 beaches on the Island (14 of which are award-winning), you can easily visit a different one every day of your holiday... or just try a different one every day!

From the sandy shores of Shanklin and Ryde to the wilder, stony beach at Freshwater, there’s something for everyone. And there are plenty of areas to swim, paddle and play in.  

If you’re a fan of adventure, try your hand at surfing, kayaking, paddle boarding or windsurfing to really get the adrenaline pumping. One of our island’s best kept secrets, Compton Bay is one of the best beaches for kayaking. The sandy shore and crashing waves make it popular with surfers, too. Yaverland and Sandown Bay are also excellent spots for a gentle surf or kayak around the area.

Quieter beaches can be found as well, away from the main holiday drag, offering peace and tranquillity even in high season.

There are also a number of dog-friendly beaches on the Isle of Wight that dogs can use all year round. Be sure to check the rules for every beach, though, as there are different restrictions in different areas.

Walking and cycling routes

We have over 70 miles of cliff path walks, as well as cycle paths and forests, beaches and woodland to explore on foot or bike.

With more than half of our island designated as an Isle of Wight National Landscape (formerly known as Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), walkers are spoiled for choice with an array of breathtaking routes to discover. Spanning the entire island, the coastal path is split into six sections – each offering something completely unique. You can choose to split the route over a few days or clock up as many miles as you can in one go. 

Walk from Yarmouth to Brighstone to see the iconic Needles and enjoy hunting for fossils along the way. You’ll get to explore the picturesque Newtown Nature Reserve along the 16-mile Cowes to Yarmouth stretch, or why not go back in time to Queen Victoria’s era with a challenging 8-mile trek from Ryde to Cowes? Whatever route you choose, you’re guaranteed so much to see and do.

If you prefer travelling on two wheels, then work up a sweat across 200 miles of cycle tracks, byways and bridleways. Perfect for beginners and seasoned cyclists alike, there are plenty of routes of all difficulties for everyone to enjoy. The Round the Island cycle route is one of the most popular, with beautiful sea views and gorgeous country meanders. But don’t worry – there are plenty of flat, gentle routes for families too.

Places to eat and drink

Summer’s the perfect time to tuck into our island’s delicious freshly-grown local produce. There are many chocolate-box thatched pubs serving up smooth ales and traditional pub fayre. Or for something a little lighter, enjoy a selection of cakes and sandwiches at The Freshwater Coffee House, Dimbola Tea Room or the delightful Blue Door Café. 

Complete your Summer trip by making the most of the warm days with a gin in hand at The Garlic Farm, The Cow Restaurant & Bar or Bluebells at Briddlesford. You’ll be surrounded by the most incredible island views wherever you look, especially if you love seafood!

And, of course, you can’t visit our island without enjoying fish and chips on the beach. Grab a blanket and watch the sun go down.

Plan your Isle of Wight Summer holiday

Summer holidays are the perfect time to make the most out of the outdoors and the Isle of Wight is a great place to explore, sunbathe, relax and unwind. The slower pace of our island life and laid back vibe make Summer holidays on the Isle of Wight something really special. 

Whether you’re looking for adventure or a relaxing escape, the Isle of Wight has something for all.

Don’t wait, visit your very own island paradise across the water this Summer, and book your perfect accommodation here!