Service StatusBeaches in the east
Ryde beach
Six miles of clean sandy beach stretching out from the west side of the pier. Ideal vantage point for watching ships pass by. Safe shallow waters make Ryde beach a family favourite for swimming and at low tide there's acres of sand for building sandcastles. Lifeguards patrol in summer. Ryde east beach awarded Blue Flag in 2007. Take the train to discover the canoe lake, paddling pool and Appley Park, with pitch and putt course plus shady gardens.
Refreshments, toilets, car parking, amusements, bowling alleys, ice rink. Town pubs, restaurants and cafés close by.
Appley beach
A top 10 favourite amongst visitors, Appley is an award-winning beach at the quieter southern end of Ryde's 6-mile stretch of golden sand.
Parking is available at the adjacent Appley Park. Picnic area, canoeing lake nearby.
Puckpool Park beach
Just west of Springvale, Puckpool Park is popular with families; the shallow water even at high tide enables you to paddle some way out. Sheltered from the prevailing south-westerlies, the beach is sandy and good for sun worshippers.
Springvale Beach
A long sandy beach from Puckpool into Seaview providing safe swimming and magnificent view of the Solent. Ideal for families.
Refreshments, parking and toilets.
Seagrove Bay
An idyllic sand and shingle beach in a fantastic setting. Gentle slopes and calm seas make it safe for swimming and give uninterrupted views across the Eastern Solent. Rockpools at low tide will fascinate children. Access is along the foreshore from Seaview or by car.
Parking, toilets and café.
Priory Bay beach
A quiet secluded private beach surrounded by trees and owned by the Priory Bay Hotel, it is accessible by hotel guests or at low tide from Seagrove Bay or by boat. With pebbles at the northern end and golden sand to the south, it is a favourite place for horse riding trips.
St Helens beach
'The Duver' at St Helens is an unspoilt stretch of grass and sand dunes containing many rare flowers, birds and wildlife. This hideaway has been awarded the Seaside/Solent Water Award. Safe swimming and a fine sandy beach complete with rock pools to entertain the children. Pretty beach huts and fine views of Bembridge Harbour.
Parking, toilets and refreshments.
Bembridge beach
Surrounded on three sides by the sea with access to the varied shoreline in a number of places via steps. Pebble and sandy beaches are popular with walkers and beachcombers. Away from the busy harbour entrance, it's safe for swimming and novice windsurfers. At low tide the rock pools are great for collecting shells and searching for crabs, small fish, sea anemones and starfish.
Parking, toilets, beach huts for hire, café, pubs, restaurants, Shipwreck museum.
Whitecliff Bay beach
Sheltered by the spectacular Culver Cliff, this is a lovely sandy beach, which is great for sunbathing, swimming and watersports. Access is possible via steps from Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park where there is limited car parking. Here you will also find refreshments and licensed bar. You are not advised to scale the cliffs or walk around the headland, beyond which is another headland and you will be cut off by the tide.
Parking, beach café (no toilets on beach).
Yaverland beach
Home to the annual White Air Extreme Sports Festival, Yaverland beach between Culver Cliff and Sandown is a popular venue for swimming, windsurfing and sailing. It's a quiet sandy beach, with safe swimming and good fossil hunting in the nearby cliffs. You are not advised to scale the cliffs or walk around the headland, beyond which is another headland and you will be cut off by the tide.
Parking, toilets and refreshments.
Sandown beach
Awarded a Blue Flag in 2007, Sandown's huge beach has clean, golden sands and is extremely popular with swimmers and paddlers alike. Suitable for families keen on beach games, parascending, pedaloes, volleyball and many water sports. Fine Pier with amusements, fishing, café and theatre. Promenade is floodlit on summer evenings. Roadrunner train operates between town and sea front. The white, fossil-rich chalk of Culver Cliffs can be seen in the distance.
Restaurant kiosk, shops, toilets, boat trips.
Lake beach
Situated between Sandown and Shanklin, Lake sports a sandy beach with rock pools at low tide. Reached via steep slipways from a flower strewn cliff path or let the train take the strain.
Parking, refreshments and toilets.
Shanklin
A lovely sheltered Blue Flag beach under the red sandstone cliffs that separate Shanklin beach from the town. Quieter than Sandown, the 2 miles of clean golden sands consist of 3 beaches (Appley, Esplanade and Hope) and offer safe bathing and rock pools at low tide to fascinate children. Lifeguards May-Sept. Access to Appley is via slipways or steps; Esplanade and Hope are easier for older visitors.
Parking, toilets, beach huts, Esplanade with shops, cafés, amusements, pubs and restaurants. Canoe, jet ski and pedalo hire in zoned area. To escape the sun visit the famous Shanklin Chine.