Outdoor activities on the Isle of Wight
Walk the coast, chalk downs and woodland as you take in the island's military history, colourful wildlife and spectacular views; try your hand at fossil hunting; or take your canoe or paddleboard along secluded creeks and waterways.
Activities you might be interested in
Paradise on the Isle of Wight butterfly walk
This walk passes along the chalk ridge that runs through the middle of the Isle of Wight, one of the best places in the country for spotting rare butterflies, including Adonis blue, small blue, dark-green fritillary and Glanville fritillary.
Fossil hunting and geology at Compton Bay and Downs
Go fossil hunting and discover history on a gigantic scale, with dinosaur footprints, fossilised oyster shells, ammonites, flint made from ancient sponges and modern-day shipwrecks
Canoeing and paddleboarding at Newtown National Nature Reserve
Experienced paddleboarders and canoeists are welcome to take to the water at Newtown Harbour. Follow our guide on how to safely enjoy these activities without disturbing wildlife.
Tip of the Wight walk
A 3.5-mile walk around the southern-most tip of the Isle of Wight that takes in sweeping views of the island.
Tennyson Down trail
Enjoy a figure-of-eight walk, in two lengths, with a splendid view of the Needles, a 19th-century fort, Cold War rocket test site and a monument to the poet Tennyson.
Ventnor Downs prehistory and wartime walk
This short but challenging walk on the south side of the Isle of Wight takes in a Bronze Age burial site and reminders of the island's wartime history.
A coastal walk at St Helens Duver
A circular coastal walk from St Helens village that takes you along a wildlife-rich sandy spit of land.
A climb to the common at Mottistone
The views from the heather-covered Mottistone Common are the highlight of this walk, which also takes in a mysterious ancient monument.