Beaches

The Island has around 70 miles of stunning beaches, some are private but the vast majority is there for your enjoyment!  The West Wight in my opinion is surrounded by the most beautiful beaches, regardless of whether you like sandy or stony, deep or shallow water, there is everything!  Of course, it is quite obvious that being on an Island, a beach is never that far away!  All 13 beaches are 'Seaside Award Winners' which basically means that they have passed very stringent tests - this is different from the Blue Flag Awards, as there is not the requirement for a beach lifeguard.  We have listed what we personally feel are the best beaches in this area, if you feel differently, e mail us your comments and we will be happy to add them.

Fort Victoria Country Park - Swimming is strictly prohibited on this stretch of water as the currents are incredibly dangerous, however the beach and the surrounding area make this very popular.  Due to currents, there are fragments of fossils washed up on this beach pretty much daily - small crocodile teeth, bits of turtle shell and other bits and pieces can be found with a little knowledge and patience.  Other attractions of this site include a cafe, planetarium, model train museum, aquarium and 3 fixed BBQs which are free to use (you will need charcoal and cooking tools).  There is a lovely green area for picnics, benches and a woodland to explore.  Definitely worth a visit!  It is also one of the best view points during Cowes Week and the Power Boat races on the Island.  3 ¹/₂ Miles from our site approximately.

Colwell Bay - This is a sandy beach and very popular with locals as well as tourists.  It benefits from not only being sandy, but sloping very gradually making it probably one of the safest beaches in the West Wight.  There is a shop selling the usual seaside goodies from inflatables to ice-creams, and a reasonable pub with views looking out over the Solent.  There is a council pay & display car park within 1 minutes walk to the beach.  3 ¹/₂ Miles from our site approximately.

Totland Bay - Another great sandy beach.  The pub overlooks the Solent to Hurst's Castle, Poole and Bournemouth - when there is a rich sunset the view's even more impressive - there is a fish and chip shop on the end of the pier.  Parking is limited along the seawall, but free.  3 ¹/₂ Miles from our site approximately.

Alum Bay (also known as The Needles) - An impressive beach, but unfortunately, the Needles Pleasure Park situated on the cliff top is, in our opinion, one of the tackiest things on the Island!  That said, it remains the most visit attraction on the Isle of Wight so you'll probably end up visiting there regardless, so concentrating on the positive side ... the beach, Alum Bay, is famous for it's coloured sands, and although you can make your very own sand ornaments, the sand does not come from this area any longer.  The cliffs are still colourful, and the views impressive and despite saying it's tacky, it is worth catching the cable car for a scenic ride back to the top of the cliff!  It is scary than anything you'll find at Alton Towers, but as far as we know, no one has fallen off.  The beach is a combination of sand and stone, getting deep fairly quickly.  With views to Poole harbour, the Needles lighthouse and multicoloured cliffs, it is worth a visit.  You can also catch a little boat that does a quick tour of this area for a few pounds, and depending your on budget, it is quite a good way to get a different perspective.  Parking is plentiful although a little pricey.  3 ¹/₂ Miles from our site approximately.

Freshwater Bay - The nearest beach to our site, it is also one of the most diverse.  The best time is to catch it when the tide is out and then you can make your way around to the caves and play about in the rockpools finding shrimps and crabs.  The beach is split into two by a sea wall, with a stony section and sandy area.  The seabed does shelf very quickly, regardless of tides.  There is a RLNI station selling very reasonably priced ice creams, post cards, beach shoes and other beach items.  There is limited free parking along the road, and a council pay & display car park.  Approximately 1 mile from our site.

Compton Chine - My personal favourite!  This is by far the best beach on the Island, no in fact, the best beach on the planet, and don't believe anyone who tells you different!  I admit that it is one of the most difficult to get to, and that is why it is favoured by locals.  You will need to park in a National Trust field, cross a road, walk through a field and down a steep cliff - if you have a push chair, don't attempt it!  There are usually steps ... I say usually because during the winter they usually fall down when bits of the cliff erode away.  The beach is sandy, oddly though, it is in part black sand so worth taking your sandals because during the sunnier days it will hurt your feet.  When the tide is out, there are pools which warm up in the sun and are ideal for young children.  It is a beach that regardless of season, is a great place to walk along.  Parking is free to National Trust members, around £1.50 all day to non-members.  Approximately 2 miles from our site.

Compton Bay - This is a great place to visit as the sun is setting over the West ... anyway, the beach is great, sandy in most and the water is nice and shallow to start with.  The best time to visit any beach in my opinion is when the tide is out, but if you come to Compton Bay when the tide is out, have a walk out to the funny little tower.  It is quite slippery, and you'll have to paddle through shallow rockpools, but when you get to the biggest rock, you can see the imprints of a dinosaur!  It's well worth it, there are also guided dinosaur fossil hunts arranged through the shop at Blackgang Chine and also at the Dinosaur Farm.  There are well worth going on as once someone has pointed out what a piece of dinosaur bone looks like, you'll see them everywhere!  There are also the imprints along the base of the cliff between Compton and Brook, so if you see a rock that you think looks like a dinosaur footprint, it probably is.  There are public toilets in the National Trust car park, as well as an ice cream van.  Access is pretty simple, unlike it's neighbouring Chine, the Bay is reached by a short slope and a few steps.  Approximately 3 miles from our site.

Brook - A short little stretch of beach, which is mainly sandy.  Depending on the season and previous weather conditions will decide whether you'll have the luck of seeing the dinosaur footprint imprints along the base of the cliff.  I had visited this beach for years, and no doubt sat on what I thought were rocks until someone from the Dinosaur Farm pointed them out ... it's then so obvious!  Like I say, if you can arrange a tour with them, it is worth it.  3 ¹/₂ Miles from our site approximately.

Please remember that the opinions expressed above are personal opinions.  Although we try and give a balanced view, we cannot be held responsible if your opinion is different to ours.