Isle of Wight Beaches

Freshwater Bay is one of the Islands most picturesque beaches and is situated in the western part of the Isle of Wight. It's known for it's impressive rock stack and popular location for water sports.

Situated between Sandown and Shanklin, Lake sports a sandy beach with rock pools at low tide. Reached via steep slipways from a flower strewn cliff path or let the train take the strain. Facilities include parking, refreshments and toilets.

Sheltered by the spectacular Culver Cliff, this is a lovely sandy beach, which is great for sunbathing, swimming and watersports. 

Surrounded on three sides by the sea with access to the varied shoreline in a number of places via steps. Pebble and sandy beaches are popular with walkers and beachcombers.

A top 10 favourite amongst visitors, Appley is an award-winning beach at the quieter southern end of Ryde's 6-mile stretch of golden sand.

'The Duver' at St Helens is an unspoilt stretch of grass and sand dunes containing many rare flowers, birds and wildlife. This hideaway has been awarded the Seaside/Solent Water Award.

A charming hidden bay with a 300 metre wide beach flanked by steep cliffs. Situated east of St Catherine's Point, it is accessible via a 1 mile track which is unsuitable for vehicles with poor ground clearance.

A beautiful secluded bay near Ventnor with rock pools and great views to the west. Although only accessible by foot its well worth the effort if only for the peace and quiet.

Bonchurch beach is approached via a 2 minute steep walk down to a shingle and sand beach with rocks and rockpools where children can hunt for crabs and small fish. Also accessible from Ventnor by walking along the sea wall past tiny fisherman's cottages.

A short walk from the town centre, you will discover a sand and shingle beach suitable for swimming and canoeing. Beach huts, deckchair hire, children's play area and paddling pool. Café, toilets and car parking.

Osborne beach belonged to Queen Victoria and has recently been opened by English Heritage to visitors to Osborne House. It is set in a beautiful location, it's safe for families and there's a café and toilets.

Between Freshwater Bay and Brook on the main coast road, steep steps lead down to this huge unspoilt deep-red sandy beach. A firm favourite with visitors who like to get off the beaten track, Compton Bay offers safe-bathing, great surfing, windsurfing and other watersports - there are no hire facilities.

Famous for the coloured sands, this is a vast bay backed by towering cliffs, with breathtaking views of The Needles rocks and lighthouse.

Totland Bay is a quiet, clean sand and shingle beach, renowned for its fantastic sunset views. The somewhat busier Colwell Bay is a short walk along the Victorian promenade.

A lovely sheltered Blue Flag beach under the red sandstone cliffs that separate Shanklin beach from the town. Quieter than Sandown, the 2 miles of clean golden sands consist of 3 beaches (Appley, Esplanade and Hope) and offer safe bathing and rock pools at low tide to fascinate children. Access to Appley is via slipways or steps; Esplanade and Hope are easier for older visitors.

An idyllic sand and shingle beach in a fantastic setting. Gentle slopes and calm seas make it safe for swimming and give uninterrupted views across the Eastern Solent. Rockpools at low tide will fascinate children. Access is along the foreshore from Seaview or by car. Facilites include parking, toilets and café.

Ideal for family bathing with a gently shelving sand and shingle beach. Also suitable for wind surfing and dinghy sailing with a slipway for small boats. Café, beach huts, toilets and parking.

A long sheltered sand and shingle beach with stunning views of the Solent, Colwell Bay often ranks as one of the Island's cleanest beaches. Calm seas, clean water and a gentle slope make it probably the safest for swimming and perfect for young families.

Yaverland beach between Culver Cliff and Sandown is a popular venue for swimming, windsurfing and sailing. It's a quiet sandy beach, with safe swimming and good fossil hunting in the nearby cliffs.

Sandown's huge Blue Flag beach has clean, golden sands and is extremely popular with swimmers and paddlers alike. Suitable for families keen on beach games, parascending, pedaloes, volleyball and many water sports. Fine Pier with amusements, fishing, café and theatre.

The high cliffs on which Ventnor’s delightful Victorian terraced town is built shelter ‘Suntrap’ bay. Best at low tide, this crescent-shaped red sandy beach is great for swimming but hidden rocks and a strong tide means there's better places for watersports - big crashing waves in winter make it popular with surfers.

Six miles of clean sandy beach stretching out from the west side of the pier. Ideal vantage point for watching ships pass by. Safe shallow waters make Ryde beach a family favourite for swimming and at low tide there's acres of sand for building sandcastles.

Prince's Esplanade provides a sand and shingle beach accessible by car or on foot. Ideal for family swimming, plenty of seafront activities plus fantastic views of yachts, cruise ships and large container vessels in the Solent. Café, parking, toilets and boat trips.