Beaches
Sandown's Beaches
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.
Beach Accessibility
Changing Places
Disabled people have the same rights to enjoy beach activities as nondisabled people, however, beaches can present challenges e.g. wheelchair users will find sand difficult, and people with sensory or neurological conditions may become easily disorientated in an open expanse. To help facilitate access for everyone Sandown Town Council, with support from the Isle of Wight Council provide beach matting during peak periods to help everyone access the beach.
Beach Wheels
We want everyone to have access and enjoy our beautiful beaches. Sandown Town Council, together with RBLG our proud to offer FREE hire of beach wheelchairs. Available from Sandown Beach Lifeguards July & August (11:00 – 18:00)
For use in the lifeguard patrolled area only Book directly at the Lifeguard tower on a first come first serve basis.
Matting
In Spring 2024, following grant funding, Sandown Town Council opened a Changing Places facility on the beach. It is designed to be completely accessible and provide sufficient space and equipment for people who are not able to use the toilet independently.
The facility is open to the public during the summer season. Access to the facility is via an Access Code issued by the Town Council offices. Please contact the Town Council for further details
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.
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” 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.
Beach Safety Service
Sandown Beach Safety Team is provided by Ryde Beach Lifeguards. The service runs in the summer season between the first weekend in July and first weekend of September from 11 am to 6pm. The service covers the beach 100 metres either side of the Beach Safety Base.
Sandown and Shanklin Independent Lifeboat
Sandown Town Council supports the Sandown and Shanklin Independent Life Boat which operates a a 24/7 emergency service. They are not funded by government or affiliated with the RNLI.
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)
General Beach Safety Information
- 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 112and ask for the Coastguard.
Understanding rip currents
The best way to stay safe in the sea is to choose a lifeguarded beach and always swim between the red and yellow flags. However, it is also important to understand the sea and knowing what to do if you do happen to get into difficulty.
- Rip currents are a major cause of accidental drowning on beaches everywhere.
- Rips are strong currents which can quickly take you from the shallows out of your depth and out to sea. They do not pull you under. Rip current related drowning is therefore due to panic and fatigue.
- They can often be identified by a channel of churning, choppy water or debris on the sea’s surface.
Many people choose to enter the sea where there are no white water waves. This is often where a rip is present, with ripples on the surface indicating a flow of water out to sea.
What should you do if you get caught in a rip current
If you get caught in one:
- Stay calm – don’t panic
- If you can stand, wade back in, don’t swim
- Keep hold of your board or inflatable to help you float
- Raise your hand and shout for help
- Don’t swim directly against the rip or you’ll become exhausted
- Swim parallel to the beach until free of the rip, then make for shore
- If you see anyone else in trouble, alert the lifeguards or call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.
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.
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:
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:
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.