Places to go on your holiday - Beaches

The Isle of Wight beaches are recognised as being some of the best in Europe. With 57 miles of varied coastline, the Island yields a fantastic array of beaches. With miles of 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. As one of the UK’s best known seaside resorts, the Isle of Wight effortlessly delivers the traditional beach holiday. The award-winning beaches of Shanklin, Sandown and Ventnor all have very popular esplanades with a great selection of cafes, shops and facilities. Ryde and Appley beaches offer the largest stretch of open sands, perfect for games and activities, with great views back across the Solent to the mainland. During the autumn and winter months, walks along our rural beaches are especially popular, as they provide some of the best landscapes and views of the Isle of Wight’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Compton Bay and Brook beaches both offer sandy shores with easy access to the coastal paths, and further round the West Wight coast is the picturesque Colwell Bay. Please note some of the beaches have restrictions on dogs at certain times of the year.