A guide to the Isle of Wight’s best beaches

An article by Chelle    2 Comments

Staycations are becoming more and more popular these days, and if you’re considering taking your first, you might think that sticking to the UK means beach holidays are a no-no - but you’d be wrong. The fact is that while the British weather is, let’s face it, unpredictable, there are some absolutely brilliant beaches to explore - especially on the Isle of Wight. And, if you book your break for summer and cross your fingers, you might just get that splash of sunshine you’ve been hoping for!

Of course, having a nice beach holiday in England is all about sorting the good stretches of sand from the bad. The good news is that is that there are several awards designed to help you do exactly this. There are two key ones to look out for in the UK: the Seaside Award and the Blue Flag Award.

The Seaside Award is run by Keep Britain Tidy and highlights the good work of well managed beaches. The Blue Flag Award, meanwhile, is an internationally recognised standard that rewards beaches that meet the very highest levels of cleanliness and overall quality.

Below, you’ll find a selection of award-winning beaches that are perfect for seaside holidays. Plenty of the Isle of Wight’s holiday rental properties are located near to these, so as an added bonus you can stay right near the coast!

Sandown Beach (Blue Flag)

The first destination on our list is probably the best-known beach on the Isle of Wight - Sandown Beach. Featuring a fun pleasure pier and miles of golden sand, this is every inch the classic seaside holiday location.

Part of Sandown’s appeal is that it’s got something for everyone. Families who come here can nip to the beach shop to buy buckets and spades, then spend hours on end building beautiful sandcastles. Water sports fans, meanwhile, will find this is a great spot for surfing.

The esplanade is lined with cafes and places to get ice creams (a seaside holiday essential!), while the facilities on the sand include trampolines that the kids are bound to love.

Ventnor Beach (Blue Flag)

Nestled on the south coast of the island is the similarly popular Ventnor Beach, which is perched on the edge of the lovely Victorian town of Ventnor. The red shingle and golden sand beach is dotted with vintage beach huts, while the esplanade is lined with some fantastic cafes and pubs (the nautically themed Spyglass Inn is usually a particular hit with holidaymakers!).

As a quick tip, if you fancy taking a dip in the sea while you’re here, aim for the centre of the beach. You see, many years ago local fisherman cleared out a large area of rocks from this part of the bay, which makes it the best place for swimming in Ventnor.

Colwell Bay (Blue Flag)

Over on the north-west coast is Colwell Bay. A sand and shingle beach, this is one of the top areas for swimming on the entire island, largely thanks to its calm, clear water.

It’s also a fantastic spot for families and anyone hoping to enjoy a little picturesque scenery, since from here you can look out over the famous waters of the Solent to the UK mainland. By the way, if you are keen to come to Colwell Bay, it’s important to bear in mind that at high tide there is actually very little beach here. So, it’s a good idea to check the tide tables before you travel if you can.

Chelle McCann