Your complete guide to Isle of Wight beaches

Isle of Wight beaches are some of the nicest you’ll find in the British Isles. Over half of the island is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty so a holiday here makes the perfect option for some beachside fun and relaxation amidst some truly beautiful scenery.

Most Popular Beaches

Bembridge Beach is quite possibly the best known beach on the Isle of Wight. The long stretch has a mix of both sand and pebble, and is home to many rock pools on the southern side. There are plenty of shops and facilities nearby with excellent parking and no dog restrictions. The beach makes an ideal place for sailing and crab fishing too. The kids will love it!

Ventnor Beach is another favourite with families. The sea water here is a spectacular crystal blue and there’s a pretty esplanade behind with a number of small shops, cafés, pubs and children’s play areas to keep everyone entertained all day. Don’t miss out on fresh crab and lobster from Blake’s beach hut! Water activities are not recommended due to hidden rocks on the sea bed. The Victorian town of Ventnor is famous for its cascading waterfall (near the beach) and for having more sunny days than anywhere else in the British Isles. The Ventnor Botanic Garden has some beautiful exotic plants that make it a must-see!

Located in the south east of the island, picturesque Shanklin Beach is a safe and sandy beach great for families. This beach benefits from having a popular town and a quaint village nearby with pretty thatched-roofed cottages housing shops, tea rooms and restaurants serving excellent local food and produce. The beach offers the best of both worlds with the south end being fairly quiet while the eastern end and esplanade are busier with shops, amusements and deck chair hire. The Fisherman’s Cottage is a unique, old pub that is ideal for a lunch stop! There are 3 car parks available nearby and superb views from the cliff top. You’ll find some great campsites in Shanklin.

Ryde Beach on the north east coast boasts miles of golden sands for the whole family to explore. The beach has a 681m long pier, a small harbour and breath-taking views of the Solent. There’s a brilliant promenade where you can hire sun loungers, buy ice-creams and browse many cafés and stores, including a chocolate shop! Other attractions include a children’s play area, helter skelter, trampolines and pedalos! You could have a go at some kite-surfing too which is a popular activity at this beach.

One of the finest beaches on the Isle of Wight is Sandown Beach (pictured above). Found on the east coast of the island, this is another family friendly location with plenty of shops and places to eat along its esplanade. Like Ryde, there’s a great pier and lots of things to do such as crazy golf and surfing. Sandown has good parking available and there’s also a carnival held every July.

Less Crowded Beaches

Located on the west side of the island is Compton Beach. This scenic beach consists of a two mile stretch of sandy shore against a stunning backdrop of sandstone and white chalk cliffs. It feels miles away from the bustle of the more commercial beaches yet is still held in high regard amongst tourists. Great for surfing, Compton is also ideal for a bit of fossil hunting and making sandcastles! There is car park and toilets but bring food and other necessities with you as there are no shops nearby. The beach has restrictions on dogs between May and September.

Local surf coach Chris Mannion of mobile surf school iSurf is based out of Sandown (where smaller waves are more suitable for youngsters) but operates mostly at Compton - the sandiest beach along that stretch of coastline.

Colwell Bay is a small beach on the western side of the island not far from the famous Needles. Although it is popular with holidaymakers, it is much less crowed than the larger beaches. The beach has stunning panoramic views of the Solent and is an ideal spot for swimming due to its calm waters making it ideal for families. There’s good parking, a small café and a few shops, as well as a bistro style restaurant nearby. Be sure to visit the nearby town of Yarmouth where you can relax by the harbour, browse the boutique shops and visit Yarmouth Castle. Cowell Bay welcomes dogs all year.

Other great beaches on the Isle of Wight include Seagrove Bay, St Helens Beach and Yaverland Beach amongst others. There are excellent campsites near to all of the island’s beaches making it a fantastic family holiday destination.