Author Archives: manonabeach

About manonabeach

On a beach…welcome to manonabeach.com, where I’ll regularly add video of my beach visits, so you can enjoy a flavour of the beach, even when you’re not there.

Totland Bay

Season: summer

Totland Bay beach comprises sand and shingle. It’s a great swimming beach, located close to Totland village. With a promenade and a pier, access is good and there are facilities by the beach, including some parking. With great views across to the Dorset coast, the sheltered bay is popular with visiting boats, many of which moor up here, either for a swim, to come ashore for provisions, or to eat in the restaurant here. As part of Headon Warren and West High Down Site of Special Scientific Interest, there’s an unspoilt, rural feel to the bay and beach.

What the beach means to Pat.

Summer at Totland Bay.

Alum Bay

Season: summer

With The Needles at its edge, Alum Bay’s beach is the most westerly on the Isle of Wight, being well known for its coloured sand, with twenty one different shades. The Needles provide shelter from the prevailing winds. The beach sits at the foot of cliffs and is accessed via steps, or by using the chairlift from The Needles Park attraction, which sits on the cliffs. Swimming is safe here and the bathing water is clean, so it’s an ideal spot for children to paddle. There is a fully licensed tea room at The Needles Park, plus retail shops and the well-known sand shop.

With Sunny on the beach at Alum Bay.

Sunshine all the way at Alum Bay.

Hayling

Season: summer

Comprising primarily shingle and pebble, West Beach at Hayling is the most attractive section of beach here, with fine views and an unspoilt feel, as well as being sheltered by the West Winner sandbank. Windsurfing was invented here and is still popular, as is dinghy sailing. The bathing water is clean. Hayling Island has over three miles of beach to explore, so make sure you investigate the Hayling Seafront too, which affords great views across to the Isle of Wight.

What the beach means to Brian and Maureen.

On the beach at Hayling Island.