Beaches in Isle Of Wight
The Isle of Wight is like a sampler for the rest of the British coast. Packed into its 56 miles of seashore are white cliffs rising to springy chalk downs, river estuaries and reedy salt marshes, busy little sailing villages and traditional bucket-and-spade resorts. Around the southern coast, Victorian gothic mansions sit among semi-tropical gardens on the tumbling undercliff. More than half the island is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
On the east coast, Bembridge is part sand, part rockpools, unspoilt and popular with families in summer. Adjoining Sandown and Shanklin beaches form a long arc of golden sand – they have safe swimming, water sports, beach cafés and traditional resort activities. Farther south, Ventnor has a pretty sand-and-shingle beach. Locals tend to head to the untamed sands of the south-west, reached by clambering down cliff steps; Compton Bay is the most easily accessible spot.
Alum Bay
Where: Alum Bay, Totland Bay, Isle Of Wight, PO39 0JD
Alum Bay is well known for its multi-coloured sand cliffs and the area is also renowned for its stunning views across the Solent.
This mainly shingle beach situated at the most westerly tip of the Island is framed by the iconic chalk stacks
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.
Above Alum Bay beach stands The Needles Park where you will find a range of attractions, catering facilities, a fully licensed tea room, retail shops and not to forget the Sand shop where you can fill your own shape with a choice of the Alum Bay sands!
Bembridge Beach
Where: Beach Road, Bembridge, Isle Of Wight, PO35 5NZ
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.
The beach is made up of sand interspersed with rocky pools. Low tide reveals the Bembridge ledge on which many ships have run aground over the years.
It is very popular for watersports and dinghy sailing, with access via a road from the main highway.
Brook Beach
Where: Military Road, Brook, Newport, Isle Of Wight, PO30 4HF
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. Brook is a great beach for many activities, from cricket on the beach, to kite and wind-surfing for the more adventurous. Swimming is popular from this beach, although care should be taken as it can be quite rocky at certain points in the tide.
One of Brook Beach’s most unique features is the fossilised forest of huge trees which appears from beneath the waves at Hanover Point at low tide. Beyond this is a sandstone ledge with the fossilised footprints of dinosaurs imprinted within it. To the back of the beach, closer to the cliffs, fossils can also be found amongst the pebbles along with the casts of further dinosaur footprints.