Best beaches in Isle Of Wight

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Below are a list of the top 12 beaches in Isle Of Wight as selected by the users of the Beach Guide website.

The current most popular beach in Isle Of Wight is Ventnor. If you would like to have your say on which are the best beaches in Isle Of Wight just follow the link to the beach and vote by clicking the star ratings at the top right of the page.

  • 1. Ventnor Beach

    Ventnor © Andrew Gustar | BY-SA

    Ventnor is a Victorian seaside resort built into the steep slopes and cliffs of St Boniface Down, the highest point on the Isle of Wight. Roads zig-zag down to the sea past terraces planted with sub-tropical plants, a feature of this very sunny micro-climate. The south-facing seafront is sheltered by cliffs and boasts a lovely…

  • 2. Seagrove Beach

    Seagrove © Robin Webster | BY-SA

    Located near Bembridge, Seagrove Bay is on the northeast coast of the Isle of Wight. Facing eastwards into the English Channel it is fairly sheltered from both the wind and waves. Although the beach is pebbly near the shore, at low tide it has plenty of sand which is gently sloping and is ideal for…

  • 3. Yaverland Beach (Sandown)

    Yaverland © Ronsaunders47 | BY-SA

    Located between Sandown and the cliffs of Culver Down, Yaverland is thought by many to be one of the best beaches on the Isle of Wight. The trick is to get here at low tide - at high tide there is only a relatively small section of sandy beach backed by sea-defences and an esplanade.

  • 4. Colwell Bay

    Colwell Bay © J W Parker | BY-SA

    Colwell Bay is a sand and shingle beach on the western shore of the Isle of Wight. It is a relatively quiet beach, and is reputed to be one of the cleanest on the island (it is cleaned daily). The water here is generally calm and clear, making it a good beach for swimming and…

  • 5. St Helens Beach

    St Helens © Steve Daniels | BY-SA

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

  • 6. Compton Bay

    Compton Bay © Ian Capper | BY-SA

    An unspoilt, two mile stretch of sandy beach on the coast road between Freshwater Bay and Brook. Popular with surfers, windsurfers and kite surfers.

    No facilities apart from toilets and a refreshment van in summer.

    At low tide it is possible to see dinosaur footprints printed into the rocks.

  • 7. Bembridge Beach

    Bembridge © Garryknight | BY-SA

    Bembridge is a mostly pebble beach on the east coast of the Isle of Wight. However, once the tide is out a good stretch of sand appears below the high water mark. The sand here is interspersed with many interesting rockpools. Perhaps the most notable feature of the beach here is the lifeboat station. It…

  • 8. Steephill Cove

    Steephill Cove © Graham Taylor | BY-SA

    This pretty little cove has no direct car access and remains an unspoilt idyll. A sandy beach backing onto an esplanade and collection of cottages. The beach is served by a cafe and seafood restaurant and is around about a twenty minute walk from nearby Ventor.

  • 9. Brook Bay

    Brook Bay © Carl Ayling | BY-SA

    This attractive, mostly sandy beach stretches for over a mile between Hanover and Sudmoor Points. It is a popular spot with surfers and fossil hunters alike with the cliffs near Hanover Point formed from a prehistoric fossilised forest.

    Despite its attractions Brook Bay is rarely busy.

  • 10. Gurnard Beach

    Gurnard © Ronsaunders47 | BY-SA

    Gurnard Beach is located on the North of the Isle of Wight, within an easy and scenic 15 minute walk from the seaport town of Cowes. The pebble and shingle beach offers visitors lovely views across the Solent as well as stunning sunsets. Although Gurnard is a relatively small beach, it still offers plenty of…

  • 11. Shanklin Beach

    Shanklin © All Rights Reserved

    The coastal popular resort of Shanklin is located in the south-east corner of the island, at the southernmost tip of Sandown Bay. Golden sands are protected by a high sea wall with a traditional paved promenade creating the vision of a traditional English seaside. The pier was lost in a storm in 1987 and the…

  • 12. Thorness Bay

    Thorness Bay © Ian S | BY-SA

    Thorness Bay is a Site of special scientific interest (SSSI) and this includes the 2 miles of sandy beach. Despite having a large holiday park located right next door the beach is big enough to offer some peace and quiet whilst watching the boats in the Solent.