Trusted source of coastal cottages for over 10 years
Professionally managed and regularly inspected
Book securely with the property manager
The Isle of Wight packs extraordinary variety into a 70 mile coastline that is not only ringed with magnificent beaches but literally brimming with unexpected treasures: Fossil rich coves, Dinosaur foot prints, huge chalk cliffs, a medieval light house, a Roman villa, fun-fairs and amusement parks, art festivals and foodie scenes!
All within minutes from gorgeous sandy bays perfect for families. If you want an activity packed beach holiday that combines coastal adventure with fascinating culture, then there is nothing that beats the Isle of Wight. This guide will not only mark out the best beaches to visit, but it will also include cool sites nearby that will spice-up your beach outing.
1) Sandown Beach and Yaverland Beach
Let’s kick-off with two for the price of one. These two spectacular beaches are on the east coast and connected, making a continuous long, open, gently sloping sandy beach perfect for paddling and family days out. While Sandown is more accessible with a pier, prom and every facility to hand, Yaverland is quieter, wilder without being isolated and excellent for fossil hunting and rock pooling. Your choice depends on the age of your kids. If they are little then Sandown is an easier day, but if you can handle a stroll to facilities then Yaverland’s chalk cliffs, vistas and tranquility are precious.
Nearby attractions:
- Dinosaur Isle Museum
- Wildheart Animal Sanctuary
- Culver Cliff walks
- Bembridge Windmill
- Brading Roman Villa
2) Colwell Bay
On the island’s western tip Colwell Bay is a favourite for sunset watching, so best to arrive in the afternoon. As you approach Colwell Bay the clifftop views deserve a stop just to take in the decadence: The glassy Solent, Hurst Castle, the sailing yachts and kite-surfers skimming and flying over the water… oh, and the white cliffs and Needles. Riviera eat your heart out! The Hut restaurant, a rich yachty haunt is worth it to watch the sun set over the bay, with that castle, visible in the distance. There are alternative cafes, kiosks and facilities in case you’d rather not splurge.
Nearby attractions:
- The Needles and Alum Bay
- Fort Victoria Country Park
- Yarmouth harbour town
3) Compton Bay
The drive along the west coast towards Compton Bay is cinematic, and then the road dips and reveals miles of golden sand backed by rolling green downs. It’s a wild Atlantic beach that takes your breath away. At low tide kids crouch along the shoreline hunting fossils and dinosaur footprints pressed into ancient rock, but it’s never crowded. In terms of nearby facilities there’s a National Trust car park with toilets and a seasonal café van serving coffee and ice creams.
Nearby attractions:
- Tennyson Down – panoramic clifftop walks
- The Needles chairlift and coloured sands
- Freshwater Bay – dramatic chalk stacks
4) Shanklin Beach
On the south east coast, Shanklin Beach is as close to postcard perfection as it gets for British seaside life. The sandy bay curves gently and generously beneath golden cliffs, with colourful beach huts lining the promenade. Kids love the soft sand and waves, while the gentle shelving provides safe swimming, and the deckchair hire is blissful for parents in need of a rest. The promenade café culture is quintessential, try the The Waterfront Inn, which serves fish n chips. Toilets and facilities are all within strolling distance and everything feels easy and charming.
Nearby attractions:
- Shanklin Chine – magical wooded gorge
- Sandown Pier – amusements & cafés
- Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary
5) Bembridge Beach
This eastern gem faces the Solent and promises understated, authentic charm, not to mention its expansive views over the mainland. Soft sand and rock pools occupy kids for hours and the scarcity of amusements are more than compensated by natural beauty. The beach is close to Bembridge village, where cafés and pubs are within easy reach, and the RNLI lifeboat station adds character to the shoreline.
Nearby attractions:
- Bembridge Lifeboat Station
- National Trust Bembridge Windmill
- Brading Marshes nature reserve
6) St Helens Beach
Lying along the north east coast, St Helens spit feels almost secretive as the stunning sand dunes reveal the beach where calm shallows entice little kids to splash and big kids to kayak and paddleboard. There’s something utterly peaceful about this wild stretch of England‘s coast that is serviced by the village of St Helens just a short stroll away. Here the harbour views make you lose track of time.
Nearby attractions:
- Medieval church tower
- Nodes Point rock pools
- Culver Down
7) Ventnor Beach
On the southern coast, Ventnor feels Mediterranean on a sunny afternoon. The cliffs shelter the beach from cooler winds, the mix of sand and shingle create crystalline waters and and promenade café culture is relaxed. Views across the beach from The Spyglass Inn are idyllic for watching fishing boats drift in and out. Ventnor Beach Café sits right on the sand and is perfect for seafood lunches with sea views. The only thing that makes it feel British is the row of cute little beach huts.
Nearby attractions:
- Ventnor Botanic Garden
- Steephill Cove – hidden seaside gem
- Ventnor Park & coastal path walks
8) Steephill Cove
Close to Ventnor and truly special, this lobster pot strewn beach is loved by locals but often overlooked by tourists, perhaps because it’s only accessible on foot via a steep hill. It’s small and populated by buoys, boats and happy local kids, while parents watch from the four great eateries on the water’s edge. The fact that it is uncrowded makes it feel like a best kept secret, deserved only by those who take the time to visit this Isle of Wight gem.
Nearby attractions:
- The Crab Shed
- Blackgang Chine Theme Park
- Ventnor Park & coastal path walks
Book your Coastal Stay on the Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight rewards those who explore, so if you make that hop across the Solent, be curious and adventurous and tour as much of this compact island as possible. Even on a single weekend you could easily experience Atlantic cliffs, turquoise coves and sunset harbours.
For the perfect place to stay, check out all of the Isle of Wight holiday homes listed with us, many that enjoy sea views. If you are holidaying with your four legged friends then be sure to browse all of the Isle of Wight dog friendly cottages on Beach Stays, most of which are located near a dog friendly beach.