Sandown's Beaches

Yaverland Beach at sunrise

 

Sandown Bay is a concordant coastline off the English channel which includes five miles of sandy beaches with soft golden sands crowned by Sandown’s pleasure pier. A popular Victorian resort the beach is part of the Isle of Wight Biosphere Reserve designated by UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme in June 2019

Sandown Bay Tide Times

Blue Flag

Sandown has been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag Award two years in a row (2021 and 2022).

“People who visit a beach flying a Blue Flag or Seaside Award can be assured the beach will be clean, safe and meet the highest environmental standards, as well as international bathing water quality standards.”

Activities relating to the Blue Flag include education activities, details of which can be found on notice boards at the beach and the library.

Children's Litter Worksheet

Children's Who Lives in Sandown Worksheet

Sandown Beach

Sandown Beach

 

Sandown is a gently-sloping sandy beach in the centre of Sandown Bay, with Shanklin to the south and Yaverland and Culver Cliff to the north. The beach is popular with both tourists and surfers. 

 Sandown Beach - DEFRA Water Quality Report

The beach can be accessed from

Culver Parade, SANDOWN, Isle of Wight, PO36 8AT

Esplanade, SANDOWN, Isle of Wight,

Pier Street

By Car:

The beach is a short walk from the The site is served by the Fort Street Car Park, a long stay car park run by the Isle of Wight Council (PO36 8BA). There is also on-street pay and display parking along both Culver Parade and the Esplanade

By Train:

The grounds are 1.4 miles or approximately 35 mins walk from Sandown Station.

By Bus:

The nearest bus stop is the Meadow Way stop on Yaverland Road. Routes 8 and 24 serve the stop.

 


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.

Yaverland Beach - DEFRA Water Quality Report 

 

Yaverland Beach

 

"Yaverland beach" by Mike_Russell is licensed under CC BY 2.0 

The beach is located at:

Yaverland Road, SANDOWN, Isle of Wight, PO36 8QB

By Car:

The site is served by the Yaverland Car Park, a long stay car park run by the Isle of Wight Council (PO36 8BA)

By Train:

The grounds are 1.4 miles or approximately 35 mins walk from Sandown Station.

By Bus:

The nearest bus stop is the Meadow Way stop on Yaverland Road. Routes 8 and 24 serve the stop. 

 

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.

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 (including Jet Skis) should be reported directly to QHM Portsmouth through the following link https://www.hampshire.police.uk/ro/report/ or via telephone on 02392723694

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

Beach Safety

Beach Safety Service (Lifeguards)

Lifeguards will be on the beach from 11am to 6pm seven days a week through the summer season. 

Beach Safety Report 2021

Beach Safety Report 2022

Map of sandown lifeguard coverage

 

• 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. 

 

Sandown and Shanklin Independent Lifeboat

 

Sandown and Shanklin Independent Lifeboat Logo

 

Sandown & Shanklin Independent Lifeboat operate a 24/7 emergency service that includes Sandown's Beaches. They can be reached on:

Tel: 01983 405999 Website: Sandown & Shanklin Independent Lifeboat (sandownlifeboat.com)


Dogs on Beaches

From 1st May to 30th September dogs are not allowed on 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.

Map of dogs restrictions on Sandown Beach