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Isle of Wight Beaches

We’re blessed here with some of the best beaches in the world – perfect for paddling, swimming, building sandcastles, chilling out, rock-pooling, and even finding dinosaur fossils

The first thing people picture when they hear ‘Island’ is a beach and the Isle of Wight is no exception

Here’s our guide to some of the best beaches on the Isle of Wight, scattered along the 57 miles of varied coastline the Island offers. With miles of award winning sand and shingle beaches, rugged cliffs, hidden coves and clear waters, a trip to the beach is an essential part of any visit to the Island

You can also check out the isleofwightguru beach guide by clicking here 

South East Coast

Shanklin Beach

One of the Isle of Wight’s best known stretches of golden sands, which backs onto a traditional English seafront promenade.

A traditional ‘bucket and spade’ family beach holiday destination, choose your spot on one of the safest sandy family beaches

Beach huts line the sea wall here, and further along you will discover the cute thatched Fisherman’s Cottage pub at the foot of Shanklin Chine

WC / Parking / Seaside Award

Luccombe Beach

Accessible now only on low tide if you walk south from Shanklin beach past the ‘Fishermans Cottage’, you will soon leave the hustle and be greeted with empty sandy beaches & dramatic cliffs. Some good fishing is had on the ledges & a great place to take the dog for a walk.

The steps that once took you up the cliff to Dunnose have now unfortunately slipped away

Dogs welcome

Dunroamin Beach

Located between Sandown and Shanklin, it shares the same gently sloping golden sands and clear swimming waters

Because this beach is tucked away and not as straightforward to reach as its resort neighbours it is very often quieter during the busier months, making it a peaceful alternative for a day on the beach.

A seawall and tarmac promenade connects Shanklin & Sandown, which is ideal for both walkers and cyclists.

WC 

Sandown

Sandown is the best place to have fun beside the sea safely with gently sloping beaches. The beach is sandy and there are good toilet facilities available. The Esplanade is packed full of cafes, restaurants, bars, hotels and gift shops. The area is particularly popular with families as there is so much to keep the children occupied

WC / Parking /Blue Flag /Water Quality Award

Yaverland

Easily accessible by car or foot. There is ample parking and it is about a mile from Sandown itself. Yaverland, like the rest of Sandown Bay, has gently sloping beaches and safe bathing. There is a kiosk and toilet facilities as well as a yacht club and plentiful parking. The area is great for families, walkers, water sport enthusiasts and dog walkers alike. Culver Cliff shelters the beach at Yaverland

WC / Parking /Quality Coast Award/ Water Quality Award / Dogs welcome year round

Bonchurch

Bonchurch Beach is a quiet and peaceful beach, made up of shingle with patches of sand. There are also rock promontories which extend out into the sea at low tide and reveal rock pools which are interesting to explore.

There are few facilities at Bonchurch so you will have to bring a picnic if you wish to spend the day there.

WC / Dog friendly

Ventnor Beach

A sandy & shingle beach facing South makes a great sun trap. A great family friendly beach with access to cafes, restaurants and pubs for refreshments. The backdrop of the town from the beach, makes Ventnor Bay feel decidedly Mediterranean. There is a boat haven at one end and rocks at either side of the bay for kids to go crabbing

WC / Parking 

Steephill Cove

Tucked away, a short walk from Ventnor, it’s a delightful little cove where you can still see traditional fishermen at work as well as enjoy the fruits of their labour with a fresh crab sandwich from one of the beach cafes.

People return to visit Steephill Cove year after year for good reason, rock pooling at low tide and a sun trap when ever the sun is shining, it really is an idyllic spot.

WC / Dog friendly

North East Coast

Whitecliff Bay

Bembridge hosts several quiet beaches of pebble, rock and sand. They overlook the Solent and the busy shipping lane. The children will love these beaches, they can go crabbing, cockling and explore the natural surroundings. These beaches are usually quieter than the main resorts. Bembridge is also home to one of the Island’s RNLI stations, making regular rescues and training exercises

The Duver

A peaceful sandy beach, backed by dunes and a promenade.

There are particularly good cafe and restaurant facilities and the children will love the chance to explore the rock pools during low tide. Like Bembridge and Ryde beaches, St Helens looks out accross the Solent and the shipping lanes and there is something to keep the whole family occupied. Wildlife abounds in the area and the view of Bembridge Harbour is stunning

WC / Parking

Priory Bay

The tree-lined beach shelters the sandy shore from prevailing south westerly winds: perfect in the winter and autumnal months for enjoying the fresh sea air, awe-inspiring scenery and beachcombing: or in warmer months for paddling in the Solent Sea, shrimping, sandcastle building, beach games or exploring the nearby rockpools teeming with sealife

Ryde

Situated to the north of the Ryde town centre and is accessible by either foot, car or public transport. The six miles of beautiful golden sands extend from Seaview all the way round to Ryde Pier. A level walk runs between Ryde and Puckpool which passes cafes, gardens, childrens’ play areas, beach huts and Appley Tower

WC / Parking 

South West Coast

Brook & Whale Chine

This attractive, mostly sandy beach is a popular spot with surfers and fossil hunters alike. The beach streches for over a mile. Below the cliffs near Hanover Point is a prehistoric fossilised forest that can be see at low tide. Take care when swimming at Brook as some parts are quite rocky

Parking / Dog Friendly 

Compton Bay

A expansive sandy beach located beside the coast road between Freshwater Bay and Brook. This area is a favourite for surfers,windsurfers and kite surfers due to its often experiencing high winds and waves. The area has toilet facilities and whilst there is no cafe, a refreshment van can be found there throughout the summer and during the winter months at weekends. This area is popular with fossil hunters and at low tide dinosaur foot prints can be seen imprinted in the rocks.

WC / Parking / Dog friendly 

Freshwater Bay

A beautiful sand & shingle bay with crystal clear water on a calm day, with tall cliffs at either end. Another popular beach for the family, this area is located at the western tip of the Island and adjacent to the bus route and car park

Great place for a snorkel!

WC / Parking 

North West Coast

Alum 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 coloured sands with 21 different shades creating a dramatic and natural shelter for the beach

The crystal clear waters are a favourite for local swimmers and perfect for the children to paddle. Enjoy watching the boats moor in the bay during the day and the fisherman enjoying the tranquillity at dusk

WC /Parking 

Colwell Bay

This small and sandy beach is tucked away on the quieter west coast of the Island with panoramic views of the Solent and Hurst Castle, and offers the best place for sunsets!

Several cafes and the gentle sloping beach and clear waters are a favourite for families.

This is a beautiful location and provides easy access for the elderly and disabled.

WC / Parking /  Quality Coast Award / Water Quality Award 

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