Beach Safety

Following the pause of the RNLI's 2020 Lifeguard Service due to due to the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting measures put in place by the UK Government to control the spread of the virus, there is no lifeguard service on Sandown Beach this season.

To help keep visitors safe the RNLI have launched a Beach Safety Campaign, working in partnership with the UK Coastguard, to provide families with simple, memorable beach safety advice #BeBeachSafe.

• Take care near cliffs - know your route and your limitations.

• Have a plan - check the weather forecast and tide times.

• If you fall into the water unexpectedly, Float to Live. Fight your instinct to thrash around, lean back, extend your arms and legs, and Float.

• If boating, ensure your equipment is functioning and maintained before going afloat.

• In any coastal emergency dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.

                                                      Lifeguard Coverage

Yaverland Beach

Yaverland Beach stretches north east from the Yaverland Sailing and Yacht Club all the way to the foot of the chalk cliffs of Culver Down, providing a long sandy beach at low tide though there is little beach at high tide. The beach is popular with water-sports enthusiasts and one of the Isle of Wight’s Dinosaur beaches. Fossils are often found at the base of the beach’s white chalk cliffs .

There are public toilets located in the large car park and the beach is served by the number 8 bus. There is also a seasonal beach shop and cafe at the southern end of the car park. 

Dogs on Beaches

From 1st May to 30th September dogs are not allowed on the following two areas of beach

Sandown Beach

The beach southwards from the groyne opposite Fort Street and Sandham Grounds, for approximately 1634 metres (approx 1.01 miles) to the public conveniences adjacent to Lake Slipway, out to the mean low water mark 

Yaverland Beach

Dogs are not permitted on the beach from the slipway at the far end of Yaverland car park, to a point approximately 225 meters to the western edge of the car park, adjacent to the steps and groyne just past the existing cafe, out to the mean low water mark.

Seaside Pleasure Boats 

The use of seaside  pleasure boats and related craft off the beaches in Sandown is regulated by  the Byelaws made by the Council of the Isle of Wight under section 76 of the Public Health Act 1961 for the prevention of danger, obstruction or annoyance to persons bathing in the sea or using the seashore.

The relevant extracts from the byelaws can be found here:

https://www.iow.gov.uk/Council/OtherServices/Commercial-Services-Allotments/BYELAW-EXTRACTS-PLEASURE-BOATS

Incidents relating to pleasure boats should be reported directly to QHM Portsmouth through the following link or via telephone on 02392723694

The Marine Police can be contacted on 08450454545 or marine@hampshire.pnn.police.uk.