Sandown Beach

Popular with families, surfers, and pretty much everyone else, sandy Sandown on the Isle of Wight is a traditional resort beach with a gentle slope to it. Think “buckets and spades”, crazy golf, deckchair, sun lounger, and windbreak hire, souvenir shops, and a choice of cafes on the esplanade offering takeaway coffees, teas, ice creams, local Strawberry cheesecake, and chips. It’s also a popular location for swimming and sea-bathing, surfing, and jet-ski and can get relatively busy in summer.  

The esplanade offers views over the beach from various hotels, while the pier also offers plenty of entertainment. The summer carnival also has plenty to keep visitors occupied. 

Most of the parking is to the west of the pier. Sandown is easy to reach with the Island Line train which runs from Ryde Pier Head and/or Shanklin; it takes around 15 minutes to walk from the station down to the beach. With the exception of registered assistance dogs, canine companions are not allowed on the beaches between 1 May and 30 September, but outside these dates they are very welcome. 

Sandown is currently the only beach on the Isle of Wight to hold a Blue Flag award.