Whitecliff Bay
Sand beach
Whitecliff Bay is a sheltered sandy cove on the eastern tip of the Isle of Wight, tucked between the chalk cliffs of Culver Down to the south and the lower headland of Bembridge Foreland to the north. The bay is relatively small but the sand is good, the water is clean, and the shelter provided by the surrounding cliffs means it can be calm here even when beaches on the south and west coasts are being battered by wind and waves.
The beach is accessed primarily through the Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park, which occupies the clifftop above. A path leads down from the park to the sand, and while the beach is public, the association with the holiday park means it tends to be busy with families during the summer season. Outside the peak months, it is a much quieter proposition and one of the more pleasant beaches on the island for a winter walk.
The cliffs at Whitecliff Bay are of considerable geological interest. The exposed strata span tens of millions of years, from the Cretaceous chalk of Culver Down through various Tertiary deposits to the relatively recent London Clay at the northern end. Geologists have used the sequence at Whitecliff Bay as a reference section for the Eocene period, and it is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Fossil hunting is productive here, with shark teeth, shells and occasional larger finds turning up in the clay and sand deposits.
The bay faces north-east, which means it is sheltered from the prevailing south-westerly winds but can be exposed to northerly and easterly breezes. The water shelves gently and is suitable for children. There are no lifeguards on duty, so parents need to keep a close eye on younger swimmers. At low tide, the sand extends a reasonable distance and there are rock pools at the base of the cliffs on both sides.
Facilities are provided mainly by the holiday park, which has a shop, a bar and takeaway food available to day visitors as well as residents. There are toilets accessible from the beach path. Outside the holiday park, there is nothing. Bembridge village, a pleasant walk of about a mile along the coast path or the road, has shops, pubs and restaurants.
Parking is available at the holiday park for a fee, and there is limited roadside parking nearby. The coastal path passes through the bay, connecting Bembridge to Sandown via Culver Down, and this is one of the most rewarding sections of the Isle of Wight Coastal Path. The climb from Whitecliff Bay up to the top of Culver Down is steep but the views from the monument at the summit are outstanding.
Whitecliff Bay is not the most famous beach on the island, but its combination of good sand, shelter, geological interest and proximity to the attractive village of Bembridge makes it well worth seeking out. It is an especially good option on days when the wind rules out the more exposed beaches to the south and west.