Isle of Wight beaches:
Colwell Bay & Totland Bay

The Isle of Wight beaches at Colwell Bay and Totland Bay are on the west coast of the island, opposite Hurst Castle.

COLWELL BAY is popular with local residents and those staying nearby and, although fairly basic, it offers all the essentials: sand, sea, toilets, cafe and car park.

Isle of Wight beaches - Colwell Bay

The best route to Colwell Bay is via Colwell Chine Road, off the main A3054 south of Yarmouth.

If you drive down this dead-end road you will soon come to a car park on the left hand side which is about 100 yards from the beach.

Public conveniences are located within the car park - so it's not far to walk from the beach.



Between the car park and the beach you will see local shops displaying their wares - ice-creams, buckets and spades, beach shoes, surf boards, beach balls etc etc.

And behind them, on the right hand side, you'll note a licensed beach bar.

Isle of Wight beaches: Colwell Bay shops

The beach itself is sandy and gently sloping - ideal for children. My only concern would be the seaweed-strewn steps further round the bay which may be slippery underfoot.

There are several beach huts along the promenade, but I've no idea who owns them. But there is also a nice cafe which has a good-sized terrace offering outdoor seating with lovely views over the bay.


TOTLAND BAY nestles at the foot of Headon Warren, a wild piece of land north of The Needles Headland which is owned by the National Trust. It is only a short distance from Colwell Bay. Indeed, if you follow the Turf Walk south, around the headland from Colwell Bay, you will soon find yourself in Totland Bay.

Isle of Wight beaches - Totland Bay

At low tide Totland Bay has lots of sand for sunbathing and swimming, but at high water, only the pebbles are visible.

Totland Bay appears to offer visitors less than Colwell Bay, although it does have a pier of sorts, used mainly by fishermen I believe. There is also a cafe/fish and chip shop at the entrance to the pier.

Totland Bay pier

Further along the promenade, walking south, you will find another cafe/beach bar. Other than this, we noted nothing more. Nonetheless, if you are staying nearby, Totland Bay offers all the basic amenities - and, at low tide, a nice sandy beach.



Colwell Bay and Totland Bay are just two of the beaches around the Isle of Wight. But there are many more! For further information simply click on any of the following links:-

SANDOWN and SHANKLIN

FRESHWATER BAY and COMPTON BAY

VENTNOR and STEEPHILL COVE

RYDE and APPLEY

BEMBRIDGE and ST HELENS


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