Awards for the Best Beaches
on the Isle of Wight

Twelve of the best beaches on the Isle of Wight have received prestigious awards in the 2009 Keep Britain Tidy Blue Flags and Quality Coast Awards.

In total, 14 awards were given. This means that the Isle of Wight ranks joint first (alongside Torbay) in terms of the number of beach awards for one local authority area.

Sandown and Ventnor both received much coveted Blue Flags.

Sandown Beach - awarded Blue Flag status

Ventnor beach - also awarded Blue Flag status

We understand that former Blue Flag winners, Ryde East (2007) and Shanklin (2008), were not put forward for the award this year because adverse weather conditions prior to the inspection date had left debris in the water. However, both beaches were among the 12 to receive Quality Coast Awards (QCAs).

Those chosen were: Colwell Bay , Cowes, East Cowes, Gurnard, Ryde East , Sandown, Seagrove , Shanklin, Springvale, Totland, Ventnor and Yaverland.

In order to gain QCA awards, beaches must provide good access, they must have a lifeguard, they must be litter-free and they must have clean bathing water.

Blue Flag beaches must meet the same criteria, in addition to which their bathing water must pass a more stringent quality test.

All in all, 113 QCAs were awarded in 2009. This means that the Isle of Wight can proudly offer over 10% of the UK's QCA beaches!

For more information click here to visit our best beaches section.

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